Factory tachometers and alternatives - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

mikep · 12-24-2002, 01:36 PM

Factory tachs are like Brittney Spears... A useless decoration. I like a tach to tell me one thing and that is when I am about to overrev my engine so I can stop what I am doing namely pushing on the gas pedal. Factory tachs go to 5500 rpm and 5500 rpm isnt what I would call close to overreving. Who here has gone the extra distance and installed a real tachometer that looks close in ppearance to the remainder of the gauges on the cluster ? What did you have to do to get it in htere and do you have pictures of the process.

*67/72junkie* · 12-24-2002, 02:04 PM

I bought and old parts truck that has an old sun super II mounted like a factory tach.It looks pretty good to me and is an 8 grand tach.I also have factory but perfer sun in driver.

Primered_69 · 12-24-2002, 02:17 PM

mooneyes makes one tha looks good. It looks like the old sun tach

lukecp · 12-24-2002, 03:45 PM

I also put a $42 Sun Super Tach II in my truck. It was a perfect fit. I just cut the lens out with a dremel, cut and made 2 other holes in the insturment cluster behind the tach. You have to take it apart to do it, but it is really straightforward. The tach fits right in, its tight enough not to use any andhesive to hold it in.

*67/72junkie* · 12-24-2002, 03:47 PM

MikeP, under the thread vacumn gauge is a reply from W Lee it has a picture of a gauge cluster with and early Camaro tach that looks nice. Though you might like to see.

Mudder · 12-24-2002, 04:07 PM

I'm gonna go with all autometers. I will have a small sport comp autometer tack for sale this spring that I bet would be very close to fitting in that center spot on the cluster. I need one of the 3 3/8 " gauges for that center hole and I cant decide on the oil presure or fuel guage.

mikep · 12-24-2002, 04:25 PM

That camaro guage does look pretty good. what is that ? 70-72?

RED72blazer · 12-24-2002, 04:36 PM

I remember a guy by the name of steve chin from blazernet. He did a real nice install on a tach out of a camaro. I think it reved to about 8000 rpm redline. I know he still post over on coloradok5, I think he got the tach out of a 78 0r 79 camaro. I'm not sure though, I'll try and find his site and let you know.

merry christmas

red72

ILUVJUNK · 12-24-2002, 05:41 PM

Sorry, just had to put it on here!

jhow66 · 12-24-2002, 06:00 PM

Used Auto Gauge tach.

jhow66 · 12-24-2002, 06:04 PM

here is back side--had to use factory tach printed circuit to clear .

*67/72junkie* · 12-24-2002, 06:38 PM

TxGary can tell you about the camaro tachs.I saw some he had at the swap meet awhile back.

GMC Jim · 12-24-2002, 07:08 PM

Have been using tach's in various auto and marine applications for several years.. For gas engines I prefer a 6000 RPM tach for several reasons...the gauge markings are much farther apart than i.e 10,000 RPM....Also with the 3000 mark at top center of dial; the range of 2500 to 3500 is displayed at top of gauge for excellent readability. To me, an 8000-10000 tach is bound to have some accuracy deficienties. Also how many engines will withstand much over 6000RPM... seems to me like having a 150 mph speedometer in a 4 cylinder Pinto!...
Some attributes of Marine tachs such as manufactured by Teleflex, VDO and others are :- Brass or metal bezels, magnetic shielded metal cases and brackets, extreme temperature operating ranges, overvoltage protection, vibration and shock resisitance, glass or scratch resistant hard coated plastic lenses, stainless steel pointer shafts and much tighter tolerances for accuracy. Example:- SunPro Tach II ; plastic body; chrome-plastic bezel ( not duable!), plastic lenses subject to scratching; pry off dis-assembly etc..
In the Teleflex line of tach's, many choices are available, black or white faces.. white/red lettering etc. and about 10 different designs in several RPM ranges.. Cost of these quality tach's will be more than the off the shelf U-NO-Who auto accessory but quality is paramount..... Teleflex Tachs are priced at about $70.00 and up... ( a Red International, 7000 RPM is priced at $65.99. Overton's ( a well known mail order marine accessory's and supplies source) has a tach on sale for $59.99 ( Reg. $79.99)--Black dial, white/blue graphics, red backliting....
anyhow, this is my .10 worth of comments............

mikep · 12-24-2002, 07:25 PM

" Also how many engines will withstand much over 6000RPM... "

Mine !

GMC Jim · 12-24-2002, 07:55 PM

Aqua-Meter Marine Tach , 6000 RPM ( no longer manufactured!), wood grain contact paper on panel! ( still in good shape after about 6 yrs! ) and 15", 3 spoke , 3 horn button steering wheel ( from '71 Pontiac Sta. Wag.

*Piston* · 12-24-2002, 09:07 PM

Camaro tachs are the most common I think. Manes sells a conversion kit for 225.00 or order the whole thing from classic chevy for 325 w/clock and tach.

I know you said you wanted to keep the factory look? I opt'd for a monster tach (5") in the fuel gauge area. Then used a buick fuel gauge and mounted it in the center. I like a large tach I dont have to search for the numbers on. Plus it enables you to have a shift light, instead of looking at the tach.

*67/72junkie* · 12-24-2002, 10:19 PM

I my not be the norm but my tach goes beyond 6 grand daily . 373 gears and a hi reving small block make sweet music on the back roads home every day.

My wife is jealous of my truck.I tell her better I,m addicted to my trucks,some people are addicted to crack.

mtdave2 · 12-24-2002, 11:25 PM

i like the old sun tach.. but to me,, 4300 rpm is the far end limit!
but i drive like a grand pa

67cst · 12-25-2002, 12:13 AM

crack is evil

*rayville body* · 12-25-2002, 12:54 AM

i used a 3 3/4 in summit 8 grand tach with a shift lite. the only thing that really makes you notice it isnt a fac tach is the knod sticking out of the lense. i took the tach out of its case and glued it to the backside of the panel lense. it looks really cool! wish i had pics

Longhorn Man · 12-25-2002, 01:17 AM

I have mine mounted the same as MTdave for now. I am thinking of inserting it into the hole on the longhorn's panel. But I want to replace it with a white one though.

Mine sees the high side of 6000 too at least twice a week. Problem is is the stupid freeway gear in the rear of this pig. Kinda makes it way too fast by the time I get to those RPMs!

As for the Camaro tach, '70 1/2 up to '81 are all the same size. Trans am would work too, and I think some of them have clocks in the tachs too!

neonlarry · 12-25-2002, 02:56 AM

Does anyone have any more information about putting the camaro tach in? I saw a few of them in the junkyard the other day, and if I wouldn't have to buy a bunch of other stuff I am thinking about going back to get one.

TERRYP · 12-25-2002, 06:50 AM

82 Camaro speedo and tach in 68 dash

71k5 · 12-25-2002, 12:12 PM

TERRYP - - What tilt column do you have in there? Wipers, etc. work off the turn signal stalk?

Longhorn Man · 12-25-2002, 06:39 PM

And how do you tell your fuel level?

12-24-2002, 01:36 PM	#1
mikep Used to have a truck Join Date: May 2002 Location: port orchard WA Posts: 1,552	Factory tachometers and alternatives Factory tachs are like Brittney Spears... A useless decoration. I like a tach to tell me one thing and that is when I am about to overrev my engine so I can stop what I am doing namely pushing on the gas pedal. Factory tachs go to 5500 rpm and 5500 rpm isnt what I would call close to overreving. Who here has gone the extra distance and installed a real tachometer that looks close in ppearance to the remainder of the gauges on the cluster ? What did you have to do to get it in htere and do you have pictures of the process. __________________ No truck :-(

12-24-2002, 02:04 PM	#2
67/72junkie Account Suspended Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: NC Posts: 1,129	tach I bought and old parts truck that has an old sun super II mounted like a factory tach.It looks pretty good to me and is an 8 grand tach.I also have factory but perfer sun in driver.

12-24-2002, 02:17 PM	#3
Primered_69 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Fort Worth Posts: 1,409	mooneyes makes one tha looks good. It looks like the old sun tach __________________ 1969 Chevy LWB - with shaved handles; 3 1/2 front/ 5 1/2 rear drop; (waiting to be put back together)

12-24-2002, 03:45 PM	#4
lukecp Formerly yellow72custom Join Date: May 2001 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 7,531	I also put a $42 Sun Super Tach II in my truck. It was a perfect fit. I just cut the lens out with a dremel, cut and made 2 other holes in the insturment cluster behind the tach. You have to take it apart to do it, but it is really straightforward. The tach fits right in, its tight enough not to use any andhesive to hold it in. __________________ '72 Chevy C10 Mild 350/TH350/3.07. Ochre/White. Old high school ride. '70 GMC C2500 '62 327 4bbl/SM465/4.56-geared Dana 60. White/White. Project or parts truck. '97 Saturn SL DD. 1.9/5-speed. 40+ highway mpg

12-24-2002, 03:47 PM	#5
67/72junkie Account Suspended Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: NC Posts: 1,129	tach MikeP, under the thread vacumn gauge is a reply from W Lee it has a picture of a gauge cluster with and early Camaro tach that looks nice. Though you might like to see.

12-24-2002, 04:07 PM	#6
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,336	I'm gonna go with all autometers. I will have a small sport comp autometer tack for sale this spring that I bet would be very close to fitting in that center spot on the cluster. I need one of the 3 3/8 " gauges for that center hole and I cant decide on the oil presure or fuel guage.

12-24-2002, 04:25 PM	#7
mikep Used to have a truck Join Date: May 2002 Location: port orchard WA Posts: 1,552	That camaro guage does look pretty good. what is that ? 70-72? __________________ No truck :-(

12-24-2002, 04:36 PM	#8
RED72blazer urban fourwheelin Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Seattle Posts: 1,007	I remember a guy by the name of steve chin from blazernet. He did a real nice install on a tach out of a camaro. I think it reved to about 8000 rpm redline. I know he still post over on coloradok5, I think he got the tach out of a 78 0r 79 camaro. I'm not sure though, I'll try and find his site and let you know. merry christmas red72 __________________ 1972 K5 Blazer with Cummins 4BT, NV4500 swap in the parts gathering stage.

12-24-2002, 05:41 PM	#9
ILUVJUNK Registered User Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Prescott AZ USA Posts: 147	Sorry, just had to put it on here! Attached Images __________________ 1972 GMC Sierra Grande 4x4 long bed

12-24-2002, 06:00 PM	#10
jhow66 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Knoxville Tenn. Posts: 3,058	tach Used Auto Gauge tach. Attached Images __________________ 56 Chevy Bel-Air 2dr. HT (purchased new) 71 Chevy Cheyenne SWB PU (502HO) 65 GMC short bed step--work in progress and my gofer

12-24-2002, 06:04 PM	#11
jhow66 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Knoxville Tenn. Posts: 3,058	tach here is back side--had to use factory tach printed circuit to clear . Attached Images __________________ 56 Chevy Bel-Air 2dr. HT (purchased new) 71 Chevy Cheyenne SWB PU (502HO) 65 GMC short bed step--work in progress and my gofer

12-24-2002, 06:38 PM	#12
67/72junkie Account Suspended Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: NC Posts: 1,129	tach TxGary can tell you about the camaro tachs.I saw some he had at the swap meet awhile back.

12-24-2002, 07:08 PM	#13
GMC Jim Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 901	My tach choices ! Have been using tach's in various auto and marine applications for several years.. For gas engines I prefer a 6000 RPM tach for several reasons...the gauge markings are much farther apart than i.e 10,000 RPM....Also with the 3000 mark at top center of dial; the range of 2500 to 3500 is displayed at top of gauge for excellent readability. To me, an 8000-10000 tach is bound to have some accuracy deficienties. Also how many engines will withstand much over 6000RPM... seems to me like having a 150 mph speedometer in a 4 cylinder Pinto!... Some attributes of Marine tachs such as manufactured by Teleflex, VDO and others are :- Brass or metal bezels, magnetic shielded metal cases and brackets, extreme temperature operating ranges, overvoltage protection, vibration and shock resisitance, glass or scratch resistant hard coated plastic lenses, stainless steel pointer shafts and much tighter tolerances for accuracy. Example:- SunPro Tach II ; plastic body; chrome-plastic bezel ( not duable!), plastic lenses subject to scratching; pry off dis-assembly etc.. In the Teleflex line of tach's, many choices are available, black or white faces.. white/red lettering etc. and about 10 different designs in several RPM ranges.. Cost of these quality tach's will be more than the off the shelf U-NO-Who auto accessory but quality is paramount..... Teleflex Tachs are priced at about $70.00 and up... ( a Red International, 7000 RPM is priced at $65.99. Overton's ( a well known mail order marine accessory's and supplies source) has a tach on sale for $59.99 ( Reg. $79.99)--Black dial, white/blue graphics, red backliting.... anyhow, this is my .10 worth of comments............ __________________ '71 GMC;fleetside;PB/PS/AC/CC/402 Eng./Custom Paint/110,000act miles/3 fuel tanks(52gal).

12-24-2002, 07:25 PM	#14
mikep Used to have a truck Join Date: May 2002 Location: port orchard WA Posts: 1,552	Re: My tach choices ! " Also how many engines will withstand much over 6000RPM... " Mine ! __________________ No truck :-(

12-24-2002, 07:55 PM	#15
GMC Jim Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 901	Pics Aqua-Meter Marine Tach , 6000 RPM ( no longer manufactured!), wood grain contact paper on panel! ( still in good shape after about 6 yrs! ) and 15", 3 spoke , 3 horn button steering wheel ( from '71 Pontiac Sta. Wag. __________________ '71 GMC;fleetside;PB/PS/AC/CC/402 Eng./Custom Paint/110,000act miles/3 fuel tanks(52gal).



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12-24-2002, 09:07 PM	#16
Piston Account Suspended Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Olathe, KS Posts: 2,301	Camaro tachs are the most common I think. Manes sells a conversion kit for 225.00 or order the whole thing from classic chevy for 325 w/clock and tach. I know you said you wanted to keep the factory look? I opt'd for a monster tach (5") in the fuel gauge area. Then used a buick fuel gauge and mounted it in the center. I like a large tach I dont have to search for the numbers on. Plus it enables you to have a shift light, instead of looking at the tach.

12-24-2002, 10:19 PM	#17
67/72junkie Account Suspended Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: NC Posts: 1,129	tach I my not be the norm but my tach goes beyond 6 grand daily . 373 gears and a hi reving small block make sweet music on the back roads home every day. My wife is jealous of my truck.I tell her better I,m addicted to my trucks,some people are addicted to crack.

12-24-2002, 11:25 PM	#18
mtdave2 newly minted old timer Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Hudson WI Posts: 3,508	i like the old sun tach.. but to me,, 4300 rpm is the far end limit! but i drive like a grand pa Attached Images __________________ ____________________________________________ 72 c20 longhorn 65k org miles and counting! 69 k10 Suburban

12-25-2002, 12:13 AM	#19
67cst i love summertime Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Kelowna BC Posts: 4,303	crack is evil __________________ 1967 shortbox stepside Chevy, 365 hp 327, th400. GLOVE BOX LIGHTS FORSALE, click link for info http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=273724

12-25-2002, 12:54 AM	#20
rayville body Account Suspended Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: rayville,LA Posts: 226	i used a 3 3/4 in summit 8 grand tach with a shift lite. the only thing that really makes you notice it isnt a fac tach is the knod sticking out of the lense. i took the tach out of its case and glued it to the backside of the panel lense. it looks really cool! wish i had pics

12-25-2002, 01:17 AM	#21
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	I have mine mounted the same as MTdave for now. I am thinking of inserting it into the hole on the longhorn's panel. But I want to replace it with a white one though. Mine sees the high side of 6000 too at least twice a week. Problem is is the stupid freeway gear in the rear of this pig. Kinda makes it way too fast by the time I get to those RPMs! As for the Camaro tach, '70 1/2 up to '81 are all the same size. Trans am would work too, and I think some of them have clocks in the tachs too!

12-25-2002, 02:56 AM	#22
neonlarry Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Vacaville, CA Posts: 2,746	Does anyone have any more information about putting the camaro tach in? I saw a few of them in the junkyard the other day, and if I wouldn't have to buy a bunch of other stuff I am thinking about going back to get one. __________________ 70 C/10 Light Red 350/TH350, HEI, Duals w/40 series Flows, 91 seat, LED taillights 99 Pontiac S/C GTP, SLP Ram Air hood, GMPP Konis & springs 95 Neon ACR, MP PCM, AFX UDP, 3.0 CAI

12-25-2002, 06:50 AM	#23
TERRYP GYRO GEARLOOSE Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Nevada City, CAEverett, WA Posts: 361	82 Camaro speedo and tach in 68 dash Attached Images __________________ Nevada City, CA Everett, Washington 57 3/4 rat, 235, 3spd 66 C-10 Panel, SWB. 350 from '68, 200R4 tranny, 3.07 rear ratio, restoring 68 C10 LWB 350 4spd, 4.56 rear dump runner 82 Camaro, 305, THM-200-R4 84 Monte Carlo 305 TH350, land tuna 85 Tercel SW, snow runner DISGRACED OUTLAW MEMBER OF THE DRUM BRAKE CLUB

12-25-2002, 12:12 PM	#24
71k5 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Manchester, PA Posts: 138	TERRYP - - What tilt column do you have in there? Wipers, etc. work off the turn signal stalk?

12-25-2002, 06:39 PM	#25
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	And how do you tell your fuel level?

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