1982 tach problem

[minifridge1138]

The tach on my 1982 does not work.

The previous owner converted CFI to a carb, and the tach has never worked for me. I still have the HEI distributor.
I think that when he made the change, he did something to the tach.
Can someone with a WORKING HEI tach setup describe it to me.
I'm not sure what it should look like, so i'm not sure what my problem is.

The gauge seems to be reading something, but not RPM. It starts at 0 when the car starts. Jumps to 2k, and slow climbs up until it maxes out.

How SHOULD the distributor be set up?

Thanks!

 

[jdp6000]

The tach on my 1982 does not work.

The previous owner converted CFI to a carb, and the tach has never worked for me. I still have the HEI distributor.
I think that when he made the change, he did something to the tach.
Can someone with a WORKING HEI tach setup describe it to me.
I'm not sure what it should look like, so i'm not sure what my problem is.

The gauge seems to be reading something, but not RPM. It starts at 0 when the car starts. Jumps to 2k, and slow climbs up until it maxes out.

How SHOULD the distributor be set up?

Thanks!

Its not that simple. A carb set up no longer uses the ECM (computer). The 82 distributor is to be used with an ECM. Since you are on carb...what controls the advance??

Your set up basically like a 1980 now. You may need a distributor from an 80.

Jim

 

[bmotojoe]

I think the same HEI distributor cap was used from 1975 through 1984 and same coil & rotor was used from 1975 through 1991. If you look at the plastic coil cover where the terminals plug into the coil you will see on the left side TACH and the right side BAT. Connected to the TACH side there should be a wire connected to a filter (1975–1989), looks like a large condenser, except there is a wire in and a wire out of it connected to the harness wire going to the tachometer. Mine a 1977 is bolted near the distributor not sure where later models were bolted.
There are replacement tachometer filters available but they don’t come with the plastic connectors that connect to the distributor and the wire going to the tachometer.
Filter may be missing or faulty.
Hope this helps,
Brian

 

[minifridge1138]

I have an HEI distributor with vacuum advance. It has a connector on the side that is labeled "TACH" and I have a wire that is connected to it.

I REALLY wish the previous owner had documented what he did.
Here is the setup as far as I know:
HEI Dist. w/ vacuum advance
Holley Intake Manifold
Holley 600 cfm Carb
Holley Fuel Pump

I know my torque convert is not locking because there is no computer.
There are only 2 "problems" with the car:
1) Tach doesn't work
2) Gaus gauge is inaccurate (i need a fuel pickup assembly from an 80)

 

[minifridge1138]

I think the same HEI distributor cap was used from 1975 through 1984 and same coil & rotor was used from 1975 through 1991. If you look at the plastic coil cover where the terminals plug into the coil you will see on the left side TACH and the right side BAT. Connected to the TACH side there should be a wire connected to a filter (1975–1989), looks like a large condenser, except there is a wire in and a wire out of it connected to the harness wire going to the tachometer. Mine a 1977 is bolted near the distributor not sure where later models were bolted.
There are replacement tachometer filters available but they don’t come with the plastic connectors that connect to the distributor and the wire going to the tachometer.
Filter may be missing or faulty.
Hope this helps,
Brian

This was posted as I wrote my prev. reply.
What is this filter you're talking about? I am 99% sure there is not one on my car. What does it do and where can i get one?

Thanks!!

 

[bmotojoe]

The link is for the tachometer filter. It is there to do exactly what the name implies; it filters the electrical signal produced by the distributor and all engine noises. The replacement tachometer filters do come with the metal connectors but not the plastic ones that snap into the distributor and the actual lead going to the tachometer.
http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?pf_id=46137&dept_id=1135
Brian