Tach Question
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Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Oklahoma City OK
Tach Question
I have a 74 corvette and my tach is cable drivin but i just converted to HEI is there anyway i can make my tach work? would a 75 tach work? If i have to get an after market tach what size would i need to fit in the stock location?
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Joined: Jul 1999
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From: Orange Park Florida
Re: Tach Question (ctc's74vette)
Aftermarket tach is a PIA to mount in thee, bunch of cutting and mods....much easier to get an electronic tach from 75-77 vette.....much easier....might want close to 100 bux for one though, but that's only about 20 bux more than a good retail tach anyway...so save the effort....
I"d hook it up with clipleads first to prove it works right....you will need an inline 'tach filter' built out of Radio Shak parts .....do a search here for the wiring schematic...easy 4 part build out....nothing to it, just solder the wires and wrap in harness tape....
then mount it i place and replace ALL 16 of the lightbulbs while you'r there....
and to save time and effort on that PIA....take the speedo head completely apart on the kitchen table, nice and clean....and oil every bearing in it...
I said completely apart now, not just partially, there is a hidden bearing in there, it's a pin and cup arrangement...You don't oil it properly and you will wish you did......
GENE :D :D :eek: :cool:
I"d hook it up with clipleads first to prove it works right....you will need an inline 'tach filter' built out of Radio Shak parts .....do a search here for the wiring schematic...easy 4 part build out....nothing to it, just solder the wires and wrap in harness tape....
then mount it i place and replace ALL 16 of the lightbulbs while you'r there....
and to save time and effort on that PIA....take the speedo head completely apart on the kitchen table, nice and clean....and oil every bearing in it...
I said completely apart now, not just partially, there is a hidden bearing in there, it's a pin and cup arrangement...You don't oil it properly and you will wish you did......
GENE :D :D :eek: :cool:
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Re: Tach Question (ctc's74vette)
There is a place that will convert your old points distributor to HEI for $175.00 Dave's Small Body HEIS This will allow you to convert your distributor without changing the exterior appearance.
Or you could convert the points to an electronic system from Pertronix, Mallory or a few others, cost about $100 to $150
Another alternative would be to go to a multispark system from MSD, Accel etc.
I have used the Pertronix Ignitor in my badly worn points distributor, it greatly out performed points. After I rebuilt the distributor with new bushings, advance springs and vacuum advance, it performed as good as any new HEI unit. Some people have had problems with Pertronix units failing, I never did. Mallory makes a system that is slightly more expensive than Pertronix, but performs just as good if not better. To the best of my knowledge, the Mallory units have a good history and for the most part are failure free.
Good luck, with what ever you choose.
Or you could convert the points to an electronic system from Pertronix, Mallory or a few others, cost about $100 to $150
Another alternative would be to go to a multispark system from MSD, Accel etc.
I have used the Pertronix Ignitor in my badly worn points distributor, it greatly out performed points. After I rebuilt the distributor with new bushings, advance springs and vacuum advance, it performed as good as any new HEI unit. Some people have had problems with Pertronix units failing, I never did. Mallory makes a system that is slightly more expensive than Pertronix, but performs just as good if not better. To the best of my knowledge, the Mallory units have a good history and for the most part are failure free.
Good luck, with what ever you choose.
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Re: Tach Question (ctc's74vette)
Seeing as how you just converted, you probably don't want to go with some sort of upgrade to your old distributor. Unfortunately, there isn't really a good way to make your old tach work. I think the "simplest" thing to do is what Gene said and put a newer tach in there.
An aftermarket tach woudl probably be a PITA, but I'm thinking you could mount one in a metal plate, attach the metal plate in place of the factory tach and be in good shape. Would require some fabbing though.
The first alternative would look more factory.
Dave
An aftermarket tach woudl probably be a PITA, but I'm thinking you could mount one in a metal plate, attach the metal plate in place of the factory tach and be in good shape. Would require some fabbing though.
The first alternative would look more factory.
Dave
