Hi together,

I have some issues with the tach, speedo or distributor.

First issue, when the car is warm, I have a clicking noise from the tach. I don't have any other problems with the tach, it works fine. My thought was, it's time to lube the tach cable with graphite powder. I read about the correct 2/3 method to lube in when the complete inner cable is out. Yesterday, I unscrewed the tach cable end from the distributor. There was a bit of chunk and dry lube on the end from the tach cross shaft gear, after cleaning the cable I saw the square end and is still square but in half, there is a small curb. Could this be the problem for the noise in the tach? Additionally, it's recommended to spray just an amount of graphite spray powder inside the cable from this side or is this also dangerous for the magnet in the tach?






The second issue, my speedo needle bounces between 40-50mph, it is also not always. The odometer and trip odometer function well. I overhauled the transmission last year and the transmission speedo gear is in good shape, we only changed the speedo gear housing to a new one. I think there is also cable lube the key, what do you think?

The third issue, is a clicking sound from the distributor area (movie_8717). I changed the cap, rotor, and cables last year no difference. It's not a permanent present clicking sound see the movie 6976 after the cold start from this year. Is it also the Tach cable or Speedo cable, noise from winding? Inside the car, I can hear also a clicking sound that increases with the speed and rpm. On low speed or rpm, I don't hear it inside. It sounds like a spark but I don't think after the complete change.

 

I would replace the tach cable. Mine started clicking before it broke. As for the speedo, I have the same issue with my 71. I removed the cable and lubed everything seemed to work great. After a few months the issue returned. For now I'm just going to live with it but I will eventually just replace the cable.

Good luck

 

I bit the bullet and replaced my cable with an electronic head in the tachometer. The install is a PIA but I don't plan on any more tachometer cable frustration. Believe the kit was about $140.

 

My advice is that removing and reinstalling the speedo / tach is by far the worst thing I have done on my 73. If you want them to operate correctly, you need to have them serviced / rebuilt by a Reputable Speedometer Shop. I had both of mine done last year and it wasn’t cheap. Believe me, you only want to remove and Indy the one time. Trying to repair them yourself can lead to a lot of heart aches. Oh, also buy new cables.

 

Thanks for your advice. Yesterday, I tested the tach cable with the drill and I think the clicking from the tach is truly the tach cable. After a bit of cleaning, I tried a small amount of graphite spray in the inner cable from the distributor side and turned it with the drill to go more inside. After that, it was quite silent. I didn't want to spray a lot of graphite inside, I had the fear of destroying the tach magnet. I think is not a long-term solution but, it's okay for the next time until I start the project (driver dash pad). I definitely switch the cable, they are inexpensive. Speedo and Tach rebuild is also good advice, never want to open again the dash ^^

What do you think about the head of the old inner cable being enough square? The notch in the middle is no problem?