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Old 04-07-2012, 09:51 PM   #1
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Factory Tach and HEI Distributor

I've heard some comments about factory tach dashes and HEI s.. From what I've gathered I'm asking do the factory tachs not work properly with a HEI Distributor? If that is the case is there something you can do so the factory tach will work. I've been driving my all original 69 CST around want to keep doing that but would like the reliability of a HEI or Mallory Streetfire Distributor like I have in my other truck. I just love my 3 on the tree !!
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Old 04-07-2012, 10:19 PM   #2
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Re: Factory Tach and HEI Distributor

I am running factory tachs with stock HEIs in 2 trucks and no problems here.
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Old 04-07-2012, 10:21 PM   #3
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Re: Factory Tach and HEI Distributor

I gotta stock tach and HEI ignition, works fine.
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Old 04-07-2012, 10:50 PM   #4
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Re: Factory Tach and HEI Distributor

Do a google search for "tach filter". You will find that they sell the original GM filters on ebay or you can find other aftermarket filters. They were originally used on gm cars in the 70's and 80's that had factory tachs and HEI ignition. Add one of those and you may find it works better. Mine works ok too without one but our tachs were originally designed to work with points distributors/coils and the tach output pulse is different, that's why the cars and trucks after 73 had the factory tach filters installed. Lots of people claim the needle bounce will stop if you experience that and add the filter.

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Last edited by chipflyer; 04-07-2012 at 10:57 PM.
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Old 04-07-2012, 10:51 PM   #5
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Re: Factory Tach and HEI Distributor

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Do a google search for "tach filter". You will find that they sell the original GM filters on ebay or you can find other aftermarket filters. They were originally used on gm cars in the 70's and 80's that had factory tachs and HEI ignition. Add one of those and you may find it works better.

Jeff
Wasn't that mainly for radio noise?
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Old 04-07-2012, 11:07 PM   #6
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Re: Factory Tach and HEI Distributor

It's more of a concern with aftermarket tachs and HEI...there are some mfr's that won't honor a warranty on an aftermarket tach because HEI has been known to fry them (have seen it posted on here by several) However, I also know many people using both factory and aftermarket tachs with no issues whatsoever and some dealers of the aftermarket tachs have no disclaimers...
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Old 04-07-2012, 11:20 PM   #7
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Re: Factory Tach and HEI Distributor

No, its to clean up the pulse from the signal. Wouldn't you know I can't find it now but I saw an article some time ago that talked about how the signal can be jacked up and GM knew they could add the filter to cheaply and easily make the tachs operate better and be more accurate. If you take a look over on the corvette forum or on Nasty Z28 you will find that many people have added them and claim it makes a difference. As I said, my tach works but I know that the higher the rpm the more inaccurate it gets. Been meaning to add one to see if it helped but have never got around to it, not that big a deal.

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Old 04-07-2012, 11:37 PM   #8
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Re: Factory Tach and HEI Distributor

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No, its to clean up the pulse from the signal. Wouldn't you know I can't find it now but I saw an article some time ago that talked about how the signal can be jacked up and GM knew they could add the filter to cheaply and easily make the tachs operate better and be more accurate. If you take a look over on the corvette forum or on Nasty Z28 you will find that many people have added them and claim it makes a difference. As I said, my tach works but I know that the higher the rpm the more inaccurate it gets. Been meaning to add one to see if it helped but have never got around to it, not that big a deal.

Jeff
Good to know, jeff. Not even sure how accurate these were when new...
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71 Cheyenne20 BB, buckets, tach, tilt, 4 speed
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Old 04-07-2012, 11:44 PM   #9
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Re: Factory Tach and HEI Distributor

I Agree Eric, they probably weren't that accurate, but I'm to young to remember!
Below is a pretty interesting link to a thread over on Colorado K5, seems someone from here years ago had a right up about the subject. I have the same problem as greg72 had. As my rpm's go up the factory tach reads higher than it should, a filter may help. I need to get one and try it.

http://coloradok5.com/forums/archive...p/t-34175.html

Jeff
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Old 04-07-2012, 11:56 PM   #10
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Re: Factory Tach and HEI Distributor

Thanks for all the help guys. With my little 307 2bbl I'm not going to worry about high revs , so I guess its a Mallory Streetfire going in the truck.
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Old 04-08-2012, 12:54 AM   #11
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Cool Re: Factory Tach and HEI Distributor

I have been running a factory tach with HEI forever and never had the first problem. Most trucks aren't used as dragracers so the higher revs is like a speedo the faster you drive the further off it will be.D/D is only going to see around 3000RPM and you shouldn't have any problems with a factory Tach.
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It sucks not being able to hear!

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After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs.
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Old 04-08-2012, 01:59 AM   #12
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Re: Factory Tach and HEI Distributor

I found this on Ebay and I've heard people mentioning this seller on here. This looks like a great deal and it should be just what I need and its priced right too. Opinions please..


http://www.ebay.com/itm/330710266675...84.m1423.l2649
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Old 04-08-2012, 02:01 AM   #13
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Re: Factory Tach and HEI Distributor

I dont mean to hijack but has anyone used a factory tach and added k66 transistor ignition? I am adding this to my truck to be kind of era correct but have heard they aren't too accurate with stock tachs.
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Old 04-08-2012, 02:04 AM   #14
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Re: Factory Tach and HEI Distributor

Quote:
Originally Posted by Already Gone View Post
I found this on Ebay and I've heard people mentioning this seller on here. This looks like a great deal and it should be just what I need and its priced right too. Opinions please..


http://www.ebay.com/itm/330710266675...84.m1423.l2649
I have heard some bad reviews (mainly complaining about the parts being chinese) but many many more people running these with no issues...and at that price...it's a great deal...I bought one for my truck....haven't put it in yet though
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Old 04-08-2012, 02:46 AM   #15
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Re: Factory Tach and HEI Distributor

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Originally Posted by VA72C10 View Post
I have heard some bad reviews (mainly complaining about the parts being chinese) but many many more people running these with no issues...and at that price...it's a great deal...I bought one for my truck....haven't put it in yet though
As long as they work properly and were complaining because they are Chinese not American. This is just a putz around truck for me so it should work.
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Old 04-08-2012, 03:46 AM   #16
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Talking Re: Factory Tach and HEI Distributor

That is so cheap I may buy it just to have it just in case. You never know when you may need one.
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Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun!
It sucks not being able to hear!

LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB!
After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs.
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Old 04-08-2012, 07:16 AM   #17
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Re: Factory Tach and HEI Distributor

Seems to me that you can get an HEI either with or without a tach drive. Was an option when I bought mine from Summit last year. I guess I wold make sure that it has it before you buy. Somebody correct me if I am wrong here..
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Old 04-08-2012, 10:46 AM   #18
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Re: Factory Tach and HEI Distributor

I put that skip white dizzy in my truck and it works great. Had problems with the older original dizzy that a bunch of new parts never corrected. Spent less for the new dizzy than I did on replacement parts for the old one.

Oh and I run a reproduction tach of this HEI with no issues.
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Old 04-08-2012, 10:47 PM   #19
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Cool Re: Factory Tach and HEI Distributor

I run a junkyard HEI since 1989 with only one module change so far. All the HEI's I have seen have the electric Tach connection on them. Only the big block corvettes had the cable drive on them if I remember right. The Big chevy trucks like Dumps and tractor trailer ones had a cable drive tach also. I almost bought one once.
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Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun!
It sucks not being able to hear!

LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB!
After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs.
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Old 04-09-2012, 01:04 AM   #20
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Re: Factory Tach and HEI Distributor

Stock tach in my truck with an HEI, works fine. Joseph
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Old 04-09-2012, 01:39 AM   #21
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Re: Factory Tach and HEI Distributor

I am going to call and order one tomorrow morning and hopefully they can get it to California by next Saturday. That will save me a few bucks as opposed to shipping it home.
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Old 04-09-2012, 08:13 AM   #22
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Re: Factory Tach and HEI Distributor

That distributor may just work fine. But,I learned a long time ago that the black caps are junk and I've always gone with the tan,blue,or red caps that are made of a denser material. It may be that now there are black caps made of good material,but it was always the sign of a cheap part back in the day.

I think aftermarket tach makers use the no filter voids warranty as an escape from replacing a poor quality part. I had a next to new '72 with tach (and points) and it was smooth and accurate. They may get inaccurate with age,but they were originally accurate,just like all the other tachs.
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Old 04-09-2012, 11:28 AM   #23
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Re: Factory Tach and HEI Distributor

This doesn't apply directly to using a '67-72 tach with an HEI, but it is the filter Chevy used with the HEI. I have found them on '80s cars with big HEI's and small V6 HEI's with tachs.
They look like standard radio noise suppression caps except they have a wire coming out of both ends.
I thought you might like to see this.
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Old 04-09-2012, 11:45 PM   #24
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Re: Factory Tach and HEI Distributor

I'm running Autometer gauges, truck was not originally equipped with a tach. I have the sport comp 2, running direct to the stock HEI
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Old 04-10-2012, 12:26 AM   #25
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Re: Factory Tach and HEI Distributor

I orderd my HEI from Skip white today. Its gotta be better than points and condenser. The 69 has been starting instantly with one pump of the gas pedal and this morning it was cold when I finished work and it didn't want to start. I'm thinking its the points that kept it from starting.
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