Aftermarket tach install - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

jhwkns · 05-03-2005, 09:37 AM

I had installed a camaro tach in another cluster. It quit working after only a few weeks. This could've been due to lack of a tach filter. (oops) Well anyway I won a 3 3/8ths AutoMeter on ebay. It's now installed in the dash panel that I had replaced. If there's any interest I'll post the pictures of how I did it in the FAQ.

Fred T · 05-03-2005, 09:51 AM

I'd like to see the details on how to do it.

matthufham · 05-03-2005, 05:49 PM

definately make a faq, i'd love to see it.

boogie67 · 05-03-2005, 06:21 PM

I like to see it also as that is something I want to do to my truck.

mrein3 · 05-03-2005, 10:49 PM

I hope this isn't a total thread highjack but I have been doing the same thing.

A few years ago I bought a non-tach, gauge cluster at a swap meet for $1. It was missing the speedo gauge.

This spring I paid a princely sum for a tach/air gauge from the parts board. I'm not complaining about the price, they just are not cheap.

With all the threads on this forum floating around about tachs not being that accurate, and with this major cold weather, I started messing around with my pile of parts.

I took the full tach/air cluster and pulled the tach and oil/air gauges out. I took the $1 cluster and buffed the lines off the tach spot and the air gauge spot.

A week ago I found a quartz clock in the yard in a mid 80s suburban. I had a couple of hole saws in my tool box that seemed to be the right size.

The only cutting I did was to the $1 cluster. Another board member mentioned that the way to "cut" a hole for the clock stalk is to heat up a nail. I did that last night.

The cluster isn't ready to install yet. I still need to mount the tach better.

Basically all you do is cut the hole in the non-tach cluster for the tach. Cut the hole next to the oil pressure gauge for the clock. Buff some lines off the lens. "Nail" the hole in the lens. And put it all together.

If you bought a tach printed circuit, and cut up a non-tach cluster, you would be there.

jhwkns · 05-04-2005, 12:31 AM

I posted pictures, and a description in FAQ...

Nice job mrein. I'm going to look for one of those clocks

matthufham · 05-04-2005, 06:14 PM

i bought a 1980 cluster and it has a tach in it. would i be able to use that tach in the middle of my 72 cluster? i have an hei with a port to connect a tach easily so do i probably don't need a special circuit.

FRENCHBLUE72 · 05-04-2005, 10:25 PM

Very nice set-up would like to see it in the F.A.Q.

05-03-2005, 09:37 AM	#1
jhwkns Registered Cruiser Join Date: May 2002 Location: Las Vegas NV Posts: 2,230	Aftermarket tach install I had installed a camaro tach in another cluster. It quit working after only a few weeks. This could've been due to lack of a tach filter. (oops) Well anyway I won a 3 3/8ths AutoMeter on ebay. It's now installed in the dash panel that I had replaced. If there's any interest I'll post the pictures of how I did it in the FAQ. Attached Images __________________ I intend to live forever. So far, so good.

05-03-2005, 09:51 AM	#2
Fred T Cantankerous Geezer Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Bel Aire, KS Posts: 6,264	I'd like to see the details on how to do it. __________________ Fred There is no such thing as too much cam...just not enough engine.

05-03-2005, 06:21 PM	#4
boogie67 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: waco tx Posts: 584	Tach I like to see it also as that is something I want to do to my truck. __________________ 77 swb starting all over again.

05-03-2005, 10:49 PM	#5
mrein3 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Center City, MN, USA Posts: 3,254	I hope this isn't a total thread highjack but I have been doing the same thing. A few years ago I bought a non-tach, gauge cluster at a swap meet for $1. It was missing the speedo gauge. This spring I paid a princely sum for a tach/air gauge from the parts board. I'm not complaining about the price, they just are not cheap. With all the threads on this forum floating around about tachs not being that accurate, and with this major cold weather, I started messing around with my pile of parts. I took the full tach/air cluster and pulled the tach and oil/air gauges out. I took the $1 cluster and buffed the lines off the tach spot and the air gauge spot. A week ago I found a quartz clock in the yard in a mid 80s suburban. I had a couple of hole saws in my tool box that seemed to be the right size. The only cutting I did was to the $1 cluster. Another board member mentioned that the way to "cut" a hole for the clock stalk is to heat up a nail. I did that last night. The cluster isn't ready to install yet. I still need to mount the tach better. Basically all you do is cut the hole in the non-tach cluster for the tach. Cut the hole next to the oil pressure gauge for the clock. Buff some lines off the lens. "Nail" the hole in the lens. And put it all together. If you bought a tach printed circuit, and cut up a non-tach cluster, you would be there. Attached Images __________________ '70 cab, '71 chassis, 383, TH350, NP205. '71 Malibu convertible '72 Malibu hard top Center City, MN

05-04-2005, 12:31 AM	#6
jhwkns Registered Cruiser Join Date: May 2002 Location: Las Vegas NV Posts: 2,230	I posted pictures, and a description in FAQ... Nice job mrein. I'm going to look for one of those clocks __________________ I intend to live forever. So far, so good.

05-03-2005, 05:49 PM	#3
matthufham Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Carl Junction, Missouri Posts: 2,061	definately make a faq, i'd love to see it.

05-04-2005, 06:14 PM	#7
matthufham Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Carl Junction, Missouri Posts: 2,061	i bought a 1980 cluster and it has a tach in it. would i be able to use that tach in the middle of my 72 cluster? i have an hei with a port to connect a tach easily so do i probably don't need a special circuit.

05-04-2005, 10:25 PM	#8
FRENCHBLUE72 PROJECT 7DEUCE Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: GRANTS PASS OR Posts: 21,606	Very nice set-up would like to see it in the F.A.Q. __________________ GO BIG GREEN GO DUCKS MEMBER #6377 72 k-5 daily driver 6'' lift 35'' 350-350-205 slowly getting rust free. Project "7DEUCE" check out my build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=267665 Tim Powell..R.I.P EastSideLowlife..... R.I.P..



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