camaro tach thread?? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

edman87 · 01-17-2008, 03:00 PM

Anyone have a link to the thread about putting a camro tach in a 73-87?
I remember seeing it a few years back and thought it was in this forum.
I am assembling a tach and fuel gauge now for my blazer. Tach is from a 86 z28 I am parting. It has the oil press gauge in the tach, but I pulled it out and fitted_somewhat crudely- the fuel gauge in that spot. I am pretty sure it will wire easily, but havn't got to the part of installing it into the cluster yet.
My 87 k5 is still quite a ways from being on the road, but this has been on my mind for a few days so I started working on it.

Slonaker · 01-17-2008, 03:35 PM

I remember one from, I think, a 70s Trans Am. It was either on here or on Chevy Talk.

Slonaker

87Bob · 01-17-2008, 05:14 PM

I'd like to see that!

gchemist · 01-17-2008, 05:20 PM

I've seen 5" Camaro tach pictures too. Sorry, no lead. I can't remember where either.

edman87 · 01-17-2008, 05:52 PM

Well, I will keep hunting for it. I think it was using a late 70s camaro tach. I have my own ideas, but was hoping to find the old thread for some pointers.
I will get some pics of mine and post up when I get the chance. I need to pull the cluster out of 1 of my k5s to figure out how to mount the tach into it... never enough time.

AustinScott · 01-17-2008, 05:56 PM

from what I am told, it appears the tach in my truck is out of a camaro

Shot at 2008-01-15

Shot at 2008-01-13

If you would like, I can pull the dash and take some pictures of how it is mounted. I need to do this anyway, because the damn tach just stopped working last week. OOPS! i just realized that the Q-search led me to another forum, sorry my truck is a 68. Let me know if you would like me to delete this post.

DBLSPRT68 · 01-17-2008, 06:06 PM

Yes, that picture shows a 67-72 dash cluster with the Camaro tach. The 73-87 factory truck tachs are not that hard to find. If you go on Ebay, there are several each week. You do have to know the differences between the years and what works with your truck. There is a whole write-up on these from Crossy (the king of tachs). There also are the c-40, c-60 big truck tachs, which I have in my truck... Any of these clusters hooked up into the wrong year truck and cause many problems includeing melt down of wireing. Here is a teaser for ya.....

smashingchuck · 01-17-2008, 07:40 PM

i put one in the stock cluster for my 78. went right in! the clusters are very similar.

Pyrotechnic · 01-18-2008, 04:09 AM

Got in any pics of the Camaro tach in a 73-87 ?

BLE 'BURBAN · 01-18-2008, 06:54 AM

CHeck out my work up here.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=265731
Mind you I have an electronic speedo not a cable driven one. If you have a cluster from a C60- C70 heavy truck then all you should have to do is re-pin your harness plug to corrispond (SP?) with your cluster AND make sure you replace the amp gauge with a voltage gauge otherwise you could let the smoke out of your wires then the electricity wouldn't flow through them anymore.
Because as we all know, electricity flows through smoke trapped inside the wire housing!

edman87 · 01-18-2008, 09:01 AM

I will get some preliminary pics up shortly. Pulled my 87 cluster and it looks loke it will work easily with a little trimming of the brake warning light area. How hard is it add a working clock in the lower left hand spot, or maybe somthing else???

edman87 · 01-18-2008, 10:02 AM

OK, first pic of tach after I got the oil press gauge out and put in the fuel gauge
Second pic is of the area that needs to be trimmed on the k5 cluster.
Third pic is of the tach sitting in the cluster.
Last is with the trim ring sitting over it.
I still have to trim out the cluster and perm mount the tach in the right spot, also have to run all the wiring to get around the printed circuit.
Keep in mind that in the pics, the cluster in not yet trimmed so the tach is sitting high. Once trimmed, it will be centered as the speedo is. I am probably going to use the cluster from my 89 anyway since it has the trip odo.

cochino12 · 01-18-2008, 10:27 AM

[QUOTE=edman87;2534508]OK, first pic of tach after I got the oil press gauge out and put in the fuel gauge
Second pic is of the area that needs to be trimmed on the k5 cluster.
Third pic is of the tach sitting in the cluster.
Last is with the trim ring sitting over it.
I still have to trim out the cluster and perm mount the tach in the right spot, also have to run all the wiring to get around the printed circuit.
Keep in mind that in the pics, the cluster in not yet trimmed so the tach is sitting high. Once trimmed, it will be centered as the speedo is. I am probably going to use the cluster from my 89 anyway since it has the trip odo.
QUOTE]

Looks good so far, wha year is the tach from?

edman87 · 01-18-2008, 10:40 AM

86 z28
The cluster pictured is from my 87k5, but I am going to pull the cluster from my 89k5 an probably use it since it has the trip odo, that is if the reset button on the odo wil unstick itself.

edman87 · 01-18-2008, 10:41 AM

Also will paint all the needles to match after assembly.

cochino12 · 01-18-2008, 11:17 AM

How difficutlt will it be to get the gas gauge to work?

edman87 · 01-18-2008, 11:27 AM

Both gas gauges are gm with 3 wire connections, so it shouldn't be hard. I will probably just tie in and run wire leads terminal for terminal from the cluster to the gauge.
Of course, I could be wrong on this.
Also, it will probably be a while before it is installed and fully tested since my k5 still has the interior gutted, needs the accessories on engine installed and all wiring plugged back in and front cap installed. This cluster thing just got on my mind real heavy and since I had nothing to lose and it costs me nothing, I had to try it out a little.

andresco50 · 01-18-2008, 02:38 PM

You can install any tach, you have to connect the tachometer to the ignition coil

edman87 · 01-19-2008, 08:14 AM

I think you missed the point here. Yes, almost any tach can work, but using this keeps the factory look and blends into the cluster.

edman87 · 01-19-2008, 09:36 AM

OK, got the 89 cluster pulled and carved out for the tach. Tach is mounted, but not finalized.
Also, got good news, the trip odo was not even stuck, I am just a moron that did not know that you had to push and turn to reset it!! Now if I can just find a knob for the trip odo reset and wire it all up, my cluster will be done.

edman87 · 02-03-2008, 07:57 AM

OK, got it done. So as not to make this thread sooo long and pic intensive, I started a new 1, here it is:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...47#post2559747

1969stepside · 06-24-2008, 02:31 PM

how did you remove the oil pressure gauge? and put the gas one in it?

01-17-2008, 03:00 PM	#1
edman87 junk collector Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: above Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 693	camaro tach thread?? Anyone have a link to the thread about putting a camro tach in a 73-87? I remember seeing it a few years back and thought it was in this forum. I am assembling a tach and fuel gauge now for my blazer. Tach is from a 86 z28 I am parting. It has the oil press gauge in the tach, but I pulled it out and fitted_somewhat crudely- the fuel gauge in that spot. I am pretty sure it will wire easily, but havn't got to the part of installing it into the cluster yet. My 87 k5 is still quite a ways from being on the road, but this has been on my mind for a few days so I started working on it. __________________ '87/89/76 K5 in progress '99 K2500 short crew '91 camaro rs '98 jeep tj '52 willys cj3a

01-17-2008, 03:35 PM	#2
Slonaker Insert Witty Text Here Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 3,415	Re: camaro tach thread?? I remember one from, I think, a 70s Trans Am. It was either on here or on Chevy Talk. Slonaker __________________ '86 Chevy C10 (Sold 04/19/13 ) Stock '01 Silverado

01-17-2008, 05:14 PM	#3
87Bob Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Franklin Indiana Posts: 635	Re: camaro tach thread?? I'd like to see that!

01-17-2008, 05:20 PM	#4
gchemist BAD BOW-Silverado XST Join Date: May 2000 Location: Senior Member from Austin, TX Posts: 6,431	Re: camaro tach thread?? I've seen 5" Camaro tach pictures too. Sorry, no lead. I can't remember where either. __________________ Gerardo a.k.a. Mad Chemist Silverado XST videos

01-17-2008, 05:52 PM	#5
edman87 junk collector Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: above Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 693	Re: camaro tach thread?? Well, I will keep hunting for it. I think it was using a late 70s camaro tach. I have my own ideas, but was hoping to find the old thread for some pointers. I will get some pics of mine and post up when I get the chance. I need to pull the cluster out of 1 of my k5s to figure out how to mount the tach into it... never enough time. __________________ '87/89/76 K5 in progress '99 K2500 short crew '91 camaro rs '98 jeep tj '52 willys cj3a

01-17-2008, 05:56 PM	#6
AustinScott Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Southington CT Posts: 548	Re: camaro tach thread?? from what I am told, it appears the tach in my truck is out of a camaro Shot at 2008-01-15 Shot at 2008-01-13 If you would like, I can pull the dash and take some pictures of how it is mounted. I need to do this anyway, because the damn tach just stopped working last week. OOPS! i just realized that the Q-search led me to another forum, sorry my truck is a 68. Let me know if you would like me to delete this post. Last edited by AustinScott; 01-17-2008 at 06:04 PM.

01-17-2008, 06:06 PM	#7
DBLSPRT68 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Ft. Mill, SC USA Posts: 931	Re: camaro tach thread?? Yes, that picture shows a 67-72 dash cluster with the Camaro tach. The 73-87 factory truck tachs are not that hard to find. If you go on Ebay, there are several each week. You do have to know the differences between the years and what works with your truck. There is a whole write-up on these from Crossy (the king of tachs). There also are the c-40, c-60 big truck tachs, which I have in my truck... Any of these clusters hooked up into the wrong year truck and cause many problems includeing melt down of wireing. Here is a teaser for ya..... __________________ PROJECT TRUCK: 1985 SWB C10 Silverado Black/Charcoal, 1990 V2500 Suburban, 2018 Suburban, 2005 GMC 2500HD CCSB, 2014 Toyota Camry SE, HAD.....1968 Camaro RS/SS Family owned since new; 350 3 speed SOLD

01-17-2008, 07:40 PM	#8
smashingchuck It'd be alot cooler if you did Join Date: May 2003 Location: Three Rivers, MI Posts: 2,345	Re: camaro tach thread?? i put one in the stock cluster for my 78. went right in! the clusters are very similar. __________________ 78 Build Thread 4Runner Build

01-18-2008, 04:09 AM	#9
Pyrotechnic Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 3,930	Re: camaro tach thread?? Got in any pics of the Camaro tach in a 73-87 ?

01-18-2008, 06:54 AM	#10
BLE 'BURBAN In the Forgotten far North. Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 2,627	Re: camaro tach thread?? CHeck out my work up here. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=265731 Mind you I have an electronic speedo not a cable driven one. If you have a cluster from a C60- C70 heavy truck then all you should have to do is re-pin your harness plug to corrispond (SP?) with your cluster AND make sure you replace the amp gauge with a voltage gauge otherwise you could let the smoke out of your wires then the electricity wouldn't flow through them anymore. Because as we all know, electricity flows through smoke trapped inside the wire housing! __________________ 1987 R3500 CREW CAB DUALLY (BIG RED)Acquired 06/12/2015 1990 chevy suburban V2500 5.7L My cluster Mods-Nov 2007 overhead console Stereo install Round 2 Aug 2009 Heated/turn signal mirror upgrade

01-18-2008, 09:01 AM	#11
edman87 junk collector Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: above Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 693	Re: camaro tach thread?? I will get some preliminary pics up shortly. Pulled my 87 cluster and it looks loke it will work easily with a little trimming of the brake warning light area. How hard is it add a working clock in the lower left hand spot, or maybe somthing else??? __________________ '87/89/76 K5 in progress '99 K2500 short crew '91 camaro rs '98 jeep tj '52 willys cj3a

01-18-2008, 10:02 AM	#12
edman87 junk collector Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: above Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 693	Re: camaro tach thread?? OK, first pic of tach after I got the oil press gauge out and put in the fuel gauge Second pic is of the area that needs to be trimmed on the k5 cluster. Third pic is of the tach sitting in the cluster. Last is with the trim ring sitting over it. I still have to trim out the cluster and perm mount the tach in the right spot, also have to run all the wiring to get around the printed circuit. Keep in mind that in the pics, the cluster in not yet trimmed so the tach is sitting high. Once trimmed, it will be centered as the speedo is. I am probably going to use the cluster from my 89 anyway since it has the trip odo. __________________ '87/89/76 K5 in progress '99 K2500 short crew '91 camaro rs '98 jeep tj '52 willys cj3a Last edited by edman87; 01-18-2008 at 10:05 AM.

01-18-2008, 10:27 AM	#13
cochino12 It followed me home? Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Yup Posts: 5,751	Re: camaro tach thread?? [QUOTE=edman87;2534508]OK, first pic of tach after I got the oil press gauge out and put in the fuel gauge Second pic is of the area that needs to be trimmed on the k5 cluster. Third pic is of the tach sitting in the cluster. Last is with the trim ring sitting over it. I still have to trim out the cluster and perm mount the tach in the right spot, also have to run all the wiring to get around the printed circuit. Keep in mind that in the pics, the cluster in not yet trimmed so the tach is sitting high. Once trimmed, it will be centered as the speedo is. I am probably going to use the cluster from my 89 anyway since it has the trip odo. QUOTE] Looks good so far, wha year is the tach from? __________________ Adam That's why they call it a shortcut Kyle, if it was easy it would just be the way. 86 c-10 SWB 85 CCSB 90 GMC K30 Crew SRW 1985 C30 Dually

01-18-2008, 10:40 AM	#14
edman87 junk collector Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: above Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 693	Re: camaro tach thread?? 86 z28 The cluster pictured is from my 87k5, but I am going to pull the cluster from my 89k5 an probably use it since it has the trip odo, that is if the reset button on the odo wil unstick itself. __________________ '87/89/76 K5 in progress '99 K2500 short crew '91 camaro rs '98 jeep tj '52 willys cj3a

01-18-2008, 10:41 AM	#15
edman87 junk collector Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: above Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 693	Re: camaro tach thread?? Also will paint all the needles to match after assembly. __________________ '87/89/76 K5 in progress '99 K2500 short crew '91 camaro rs '98 jeep tj '52 willys cj3a



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01-18-2008, 11:17 AM	#16
cochino12 It followed me home? Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Yup Posts: 5,751	Re: camaro tach thread?? How difficutlt will it be to get the gas gauge to work? __________________ Adam That's why they call it a shortcut Kyle, if it was easy it would just be the way. 86 c-10 SWB 85 CCSB 90 GMC K30 Crew SRW 1985 C30 Dually

01-18-2008, 11:27 AM	#17
edman87 junk collector Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: above Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 693	Re: camaro tach thread?? Both gas gauges are gm with 3 wire connections, so it shouldn't be hard. I will probably just tie in and run wire leads terminal for terminal from the cluster to the gauge. Of course, I could be wrong on this. Also, it will probably be a while before it is installed and fully tested since my k5 still has the interior gutted, needs the accessories on engine installed and all wiring plugged back in and front cap installed. This cluster thing just got on my mind real heavy and since I had nothing to lose and it costs me nothing, I had to try it out a little. __________________ '87/89/76 K5 in progress '99 K2500 short crew '91 camaro rs '98 jeep tj '52 willys cj3a

01-18-2008, 02:38 PM	#18
andresco50 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Lakeworth, Fl Posts: 633	Re: camaro tach thread?? You can install any tach, you have to connect the tachometer to the ignition coil

01-19-2008, 08:14 AM	#19
edman87 junk collector Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: above Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 693	Re: camaro tach thread?? I think you missed the point here. Yes, almost any tach can work, but using this keeps the factory look and blends into the cluster. __________________ '87/89/76 K5 in progress '99 K2500 short crew '91 camaro rs '98 jeep tj '52 willys cj3a

01-19-2008, 09:36 AM	#20
edman87 junk collector Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: above Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 693	Re: camaro tach thread?? OK, got the 89 cluster pulled and carved out for the tach. Tach is mounted, but not finalized. Also, got good news, the trip odo was not even stuck, I am just a moron that did not know that you had to push and turn to reset it!! Now if I can just find a knob for the trip odo reset and wire it all up, my cluster will be done. __________________ '87/89/76 K5 in progress '99 K2500 short crew '91 camaro rs '98 jeep tj '52 willys cj3a

02-03-2008, 07:57 AM	#21
edman87 junk collector Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: above Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 693	Re: camaro tach thread?? OK, got it done. So as not to make this thread sooo long and pic intensive, I started a new 1, here it is: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...47#post2559747 __________________ '87/89/76 K5 in progress '99 K2500 short crew '91 camaro rs '98 jeep tj '52 willys cj3a

06-24-2008, 02:31 PM	#22
1969stepside Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Johnson City Tennessee Posts: 1,208	Re: camaro tach thread?? how did you remove the oil pressure gauge? and put the gas one in it? __________________ Greater love hath no man than to lay down his life for a friend. Members i Have met Earl Slick68 1969 Stepside Build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post4253546 Chevy Trucks the longest lasting most dependable trucks on the road

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