tach face replacement

[mcditalia]

I eventually need to change my tach face. What is involved with this task and what is the easiest way to go about it?

Thanks,

MC

 

[tigernut]

I did this about a year ago. Here is what I remember doing:

You have to remove the gauge cluster, obviously. That is probably the most involved part.

See these excellent instructions:
http://www.adirondackncrs.com/cluster.html

Once that is done, you can remove the tach from the cluster.

Then you have to CAREFULLY remove the tach pointer (I did so with needle nose pliers pulling very carefully and softly straight off), then the face comes off with 2 screws.

Make sure you buy some paint to touchup the tach needle while you are in there, unless you have a new one.

Since the cluster has to come out, it is a great time to fix anything else wrong with the gauges or lenses, or repaint the cluster itself, or if you don't like doing the work yourself, send it out for restoration (but why do that since you will miss all the joy and satisfaction of doing the job yourself.. ).

Doug

 

[vintagecorvette]

I would recommend that you hold the speedo shaft and wind the needle off counter clockwise. Do not pull, you chance breaking the shaft. Good luck. oWEN

 

[stepinwolf]

I would recommend that you hold the speedo shaft and wind the needle off counter clockwise. Do not pull, you chance breaking the shaft. Good luck. oWEN

That is exactly the way it should be done to minimize the chance of damaging the mechanism.

O, and by the way Owen, he would make the job much easier on himself by holding the tach, rather then the speedo shaft.

The best paint to re-do the needles, is found in the small containers of paint that are sold for plastic model builders in fluorescent red. " Testors " use to be an excellent source, that was easy to find. Also, I would recommend you paint the other needles also, even if you don't do any cosmetics to the gauge faces, because the newly painted needle will really stand out.

Stepinwolf

 

[tigernut]

I would recommend that you hold the speedo shaft and wind the needle off counter clockwise. Do not pull, you chance breaking the shaft. Good luck. oWEN

Yes, that's how I remember doing it. Thanks for the correction Owen, me bad.

Doug

 

[vintagecorvette]

:L Your are correct Stepinwolf. It was a speedo slip for me. A real bad memory. My grabbing and pulling cost me. Never again.

oWEN

 

[stepinwolf]

ttt

Never say never Owen, every time I do, I screw up again.

Stepinwolf

 

[Kid_Again]

for the needles, use a latex hobby paint called Koh-i-Noor, Rocket Red


and that advice about painting all the needles is right on...the first dash i ever did was my '66 and it is only a matter of time before i pull the cluster, again, and do ALL the needles:ugh

 

[JohnZ]

As soon as you replace the tach face and put it all back together, you'll wonder why you didn't change them all - the new tach face will really make the other five gauges look bad. :eyerole

 

[Ken Anderson]

As soon as you replace the tach face and put it all back together, you'll wonder why you didn't change them all - the new tach face will really make the other five gauges look bad. :eyerole

You're so right about that!