The tach cable does seem to be attached. The ignition is a bit strange with what seems to be a C2 ballast resistor and HEI 8-mm plug wires on a points distributor cap??

Follow Roger's advice and see if you get a blip at the tach.

 

It appears to have an MSD cap and wires on it,can't see in the pics if it is an MSD distributor as well.

http://www.msdignition.com/Products/...m_Advance.aspx

 

At least not a 'chevy' hei, if i remember Crane hei conversion, requires that as do a few others,

 

I unscrewed the tachometer cable, then gave it a spin the tach worked. The cap, rotor and coil are all MSD. I added some more pictures, I also noticed a few places there is vac hoses missing.


So as far as the tach goes what is my first step?

 

If the tip of the drive cable is not missing or rounded off, this points to the cable drive mechanism inside the distributor being defective. Paul74 has an excellent description and set of pics on how to address this.

 

The cable end looks good not rounded off. So I would be better having someone do Paul74's fix then buying the distributor off ebay that superdave posted? I have essential hand tremors so just removing the chrome cover to take pictures was a chore.

 

yes

 

Worst care scenario described. Not necessarily what you need.

Mike was being kind. I needed a little bushing machining help with that job. It it is just the top end coupler/button/gear than it is doable fairly easily. But if the shaft and bushings are done then get a new one on EBay. The re-build can get expensive.

If you have a physical disability I would get a new distributor with tach drive. Don't fool with "originality" matters (I have driving for two years with a 1967 points distributor in a 1974). From what I have seen there is little of originality there. Someone mentioned MSD but I have never used that system. Those plug wires fooled me earlier. I was thinking how do you get 8-mm HEI wires into a points distributor cap 7-mm cap. I guess by pushing hard or changing the terminals. BTW, I did that.

These pics show the mess I got into one day a couple of summers ago when I volunteered for a local charity drive. I had met with colleagues before the event when I noticed a motor clunk-clunk. Not good and by ear I isolated it to the distributor. I scooted home and the car fortunately died in my garage. I am a pack-rat and had a spare in the basement but missed the event. The mess you see has been completely refurbished and is my new spare. But it was expensive. In retrospect I should have just dumped it.

I wish you well with your repair. These cars can be frustrating but when they humm you sing along with them. All the Best.



The unit chewed itself into brass shreds. That may not be your problem but these things do happen.

 

I do the complete tach-drive distributor repairs, inluding repair of the damaged housing thrust surface. You can e-mail me for my info sheet if interested: Sounds like you have a stripped out crossgear and mainshaft.

Lars
V8FastCars@msn.com

 

something wrong with Florida?

 

thats a new looking distributer, and the tach. drive hasnt been spinning the cable, if it didnt work from day one of the install , dont believe you need anything new. try a carefull install.
btw, that unit you have now is $359 not including coil ,wires and ballast

please read this , it has 'zactly' what you need to make that work.
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...U7W9SiGxqlcHzQ
$14 at various places this should have been included with your new dist. the person that installed it probably left it out, maybe you have it in a 'goody' box from the po.

heres your msd coil with the required 'ballast resister' that setup needs it.
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...sO2rUJrVdPx78w

hope this helps also
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c1-a...ach-drive.html

from msd tech, if you decide to upgrade to an MSD box, you wont need the ballast resister.
btw, I sure hope you havent gone and bought a new one, but if you have , please send me this 'non-working one, I'll even pay shipping

 

Lots of things, where should we start oh, most of them come from "up North, or back home we" sad part is we have a great state but too many snowbirds goof up and complain here giving us a bad name

 

see post #31

 

thanks for the info, but don't expect anything in the mail.

 

I bought that same unit. The new HEI plug wires cost almost as much.

Long story short - it's a good cheap fix. Of course we wonder how long it'll last - but I love it for now.

-W

 

yer welcome

 

Was this resolved?

 

yup

 

Sometimes the little creatures jumping about are less than useful to those who are seeking solutions to a similar problem. What was the resolution in plain English and/or pics?

 

this fixed his, probably wont fix yours