Tach With HEI - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

eightbanger · 02-08-2008, 09:02 AM

I have a non tach set up and would really like to have one, problem is I have an HEI, so going factory seems to be out, I don't want aftermarkets bolted to the steering colum or stuck on the dash pad, I would really like to be able to fit it in the proper place...the dash.
Is there no OEM or person adapting aftermarkets that would fit in the dash were the factory one should go, and can I even have a Tach at all with HEI???

Thanks.

ChevyC102007 · 02-08-2008, 09:12 AM

Yes with an HEI you can have a tach. Theres a plug on the front side of the coil cap that says "tach". Just plug the tach wire in there. As for natural looking tachs there is a faq around here somewhere were a member installed an aftermarket (Auto Meter) 2 and 3/8" or there abouts into the stock location in the instrument cluster. If you want to use a factory tach instead there are a few around (LMC for one) and the instructions should show you how to hook it up to an HEI ignition. Just my .02

JimKshortstep4x4 · 02-08-2008, 09:13 AM

The factory tach works well with an HEI distributor. They are adjustable if your tach RPM is off. Just change the end on the tach harness and plug it in to the location on the HEI identified as "Tach".

Jim

eightbanger · 02-08-2008, 09:38 AM

Great news! I was led to understand the oposite, when looking at Tachs for sale in parts catalogues they would say that these would work only on non HEI, now i've got my next weekend project....I love this forum.

Thanks Guys..

corn · 02-08-2008, 10:41 AM

They only say that so they can sell you their $100 adaptor. Its a piece of wire with a wire connector on each end that you can make yourself for about $1...

**WorkinLonghorn** · 02-08-2008, 11:01 AM

Quote:

They only say that so they can sell you their $100 adaptor. Its a piece of wire with a wire connector on each end that you can make yourself for about $1...

That's a good one.
Yeah,I just installed an "HEI" styke distrib and the stock tach works just like before (too high actually).

Huck · 02-08-2008, 11:18 AM

Hei dist requires a heavier gauge of feed lead to it then the points type. You may also want to change your plugs - gap to about .040. The factory original in dash tach hooks up just fine. They are not nearly as accurate as new technology but for reference they work ok in either stock or hei dist's. Just make sure if you buy one, the seller guarantees that it works correctly. There are "aftermarket" repops out there for around $100. but you still need the cluster face and the correct mounting cluuster tin. For a real kick, get one with the factory Vacuum gauge too.
Original tach dash's restored sell for around $300. while the tach/vacs go for around $400-450. restored.
Huck

hyarbour · 02-09-2008, 02:11 AM

When I rewired my ignition system I went through the junk yard and found a distributor that had the two connector plug, Ign & Tach in one. Clipped it out of the donor (a late 80's an) as far back as possible and had more that enough wire to do the job. Looks a lot better than spade connectors and it locks in.

69Chevy3/4ton · 02-09-2008, 02:17 AM

you may appreciate this.... http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=154159

to this

Darrell

eightbanger · 02-09-2008, 02:43 AM

Nice job Darrell, seems to be a lot of creativity and inginuity in Chevy truck owners me thinks...hope it rubs off on me, well I sure have a few different routes I could take on this now, and plenty of options......

Thanks a lot guys.

Nigel

69Chevy3/4ton · 02-09-2008, 12:46 PM

i just found that in the faq. i can not take credit for that wonderful job.

Darrell

GMC Jim · 02-09-2008, 09:29 PM

I mounted a 0-6000 rpm marine tach in the dash panel several years ago.... has worked just fine with the HEI ignition and is very accurate.

02-08-2008, 09:02 AM	#1
eightbanger 454 MAKES IT ROAR Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Essex, U.K Posts: 2,701	Tach With HEI I have a non tach set up and would really like to have one, problem is I have an HEI, so going factory seems to be out, I don't want aftermarkets bolted to the steering colum or stuck on the dash pad, I would really like to be able to fit it in the proper place...the dash. Is there no OEM or person adapting aftermarkets that would fit in the dash were the factory one should go, and can I even have a Tach at all with HEI??? Thanks. __________________ Nigel. An American living in a British body. 1971 Chevy Cheyenne 10 454 "In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act." - George Orwell "When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty" - Thomas Jefferson No more pain. 03.12.60 -- 12.28.10 http://www.youtube.com/Eightbanger

02-08-2008, 09:12 AM	#2
ChevyC102007 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Emporium,Pa Posts: 248	Re: Tach With HEI Yes with an HEI you can have a tach. Theres a plug on the front side of the coil cap that says "tach". Just plug the tach wire in there. As for natural looking tachs there is a faq around here somewhere were a member installed an aftermarket (Auto Meter) 2 and 3/8" or there abouts into the stock location in the instrument cluster. If you want to use a factory tach instead there are a few around (LMC for one) and the instructions should show you how to hook it up to an HEI ignition. Just my .02 __________________ "When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life so that when you die, the world cries and you rejoice." [Cherokee saying] 2001 Dodge Ram Sport 1500 4x4. (old ride) 1987 GMC V1500 Sierra Classic ("new" ride)

02-08-2008, 09:13 AM	#3
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	Re: Tach With HEI The factory tach works well with an HEI distributor. They are adjustable if your tach RPM is off. Just change the end on the tach harness and plug it in to the location on the HEI identified as "Tach". Jim __________________ 1971 Shortbox step side 4x4, 350 sbc, 3:07 rear end 1965 Impala SS 400 sbc, Muncie rock crusher 1966 Impala SS 396 bbc, TH 400 1969 El Camino, 350 sbc, TH 350 1971 Snowplow built on a Blazer frame 1972 GMC Short bed, stepside, TH 400, 427 BBC

02-08-2008, 09:38 AM	#4
eightbanger 454 MAKES IT ROAR Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Essex, U.K Posts: 2,701	Re: Tach With HEI Great news! I was led to understand the oposite, when looking at Tachs for sale in parts catalogues they would say that these would work only on non HEI, now i've got my next weekend project....I love this forum. Thanks Guys.. __________________ Nigel. An American living in a British body. 1971 Chevy Cheyenne 10 454 "In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act." - George Orwell "When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty" - Thomas Jefferson No more pain. 03.12.60 -- 12.28.10 http://www.youtube.com/Eightbanger

02-08-2008, 10:41 AM	#5
corn Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: here Posts: 5,789	Re: Tach With HEI They only say that so they can sell you their $100 adaptor. Its a piece of wire with a wire connector on each end that you can make yourself for about $1...

02-08-2008, 11:18 AM	#7
Huck Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Shelbyville, KY Posts: 3,269	Re: Tach With HEI Hei dist requires a heavier gauge of feed lead to it then the points type. You may also want to change your plugs - gap to about .040. The factory original in dash tach hooks up just fine. They are not nearly as accurate as new technology but for reference they work ok in either stock or hei dist's. Just make sure if you buy one, the seller guarantees that it works correctly. There are "aftermarket" repops out there for around $100. but you still need the cluster face and the correct mounting cluuster tin. For a real kick, get one with the factory Vacuum gauge too. Original tach dash's restored sell for around $300. while the tach/vacs go for around $400-450. restored. Huck

02-09-2008, 02:11 AM	#8
hyarbour Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Fairview, ks Posts: 203	Re: Tach With HEI When I rewired my ignition system I went through the junk yard and found a distributor that had the two connector plug, Ign & Tach in one. Clipped it out of the donor (a late 80's an) as far back as possible and had more that enough wire to do the job. Looks a lot better than spade connectors and it locks in.

02-09-2008, 02:17 AM	#9
69Chevy3/4ton Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Hickory Posts: 55	Re: Tach With HEI you may appreciate this.... http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=154159 to this Darrell

02-09-2008, 02:43 AM	#10
eightbanger 454 MAKES IT ROAR Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Essex, U.K Posts: 2,701	Re: Tach With HEI Nice job Darrell, seems to be a lot of creativity and inginuity in Chevy truck owners me thinks...hope it rubs off on me, well I sure have a few different routes I could take on this now, and plenty of options...... Thanks a lot guys. Nigel __________________ Nigel. An American living in a British body. 1971 Chevy Cheyenne 10 454 "In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act." - George Orwell "When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty" - Thomas Jefferson No more pain. 03.12.60 -- 12.28.10 http://www.youtube.com/Eightbanger

02-09-2008, 12:46 PM	#11
69Chevy3/4ton Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Hickory Posts: 55	Re: Tach With HEI i just found that in the faq. i can not take credit for that wonderful job. Darrell

02-09-2008, 09:29 PM	#12
GMC Jim Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 901	Re: Tach With HEI I mounted a 0-6000 rpm marine tach in the dash panel several years ago.... has worked just fine with the HEI ignition and is very accurate. Attached Images __________________ '71 GMC;fleetside;PB/PS/AC/CC/402 Eng./Custom Paint/110,000act miles/3 fuel tanks(52gal).



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