C! - '58 Tach removal and repair

[Susan G.]

We need to remove the tach from our '58 for repair.

Has anyone been able to do this without removing the entire instrument cluster. Or has anyone found an efficient (and less painful) way of R&R this instrument without disturbing the entire instrument cluster?

Thanks in advance for any and all advice.

Susan

[Jerry R.]

Re: C! - '58 Tach removal and repair

One option, if no one else has an opinion Susan, is to drop an email to Matt Patterson (matt@palmettorestorations.com) or call him at 864-277-8768. He's restored vette clusters and tachs for many years and could give you ideas of what might be involved with removal and repair. Perhaps it's a worn drive gear external to the tach..?.. He'll know; I just do radios.

Jerry

[Richard T.]

Re: C! - '58 Tach removal and repair

Over the years I've wasted many hours trying to renove the tachometer from a 58 to 62 with nothing accomplished save for numerous cuts and scratches. Do it right and pull the pod. Rich

[Susan G.]

Re: C! - '58 Tach removal and repair

Jerry and Rich, thanks for a quick response, we will pull the pod but also check with the references to see what they might tell us about the tach.

Much Appreciated,

Susan

[David D.]

Re: C! - '58 Tach removal and repair

Susan,
Another person I could highly recommend is Bill at http://www.harrisonspeedometer.com/

I suggest either calling him (561)676-3099 or email gldnkngt@comcast.net I know he could also be of great help.

David

[Mike E.]

Re: C! - '58 Tach removal and repair

Agree with Rich--there's nothing you can do to service the tach without removing it--and no effective way to get at it without removing the pod.

[Steve H.]

Re: C! - '58 Tach removal and repair

Susan,

It is not really a big deal to remove the cluster. I broke it up into three sessions and found the it all came out fine. As the other guys suggest, tag everything. I learned a good deal doing this project.

I took the two parts of my cluster apart for painting and am going to try to reinstall in two parts. First will be the top, with speedometer, then the bottom with gauges, tach, and ignition and etc,.

Good luck.

[Terry R.]

Re: C! - '58 Tach removal and repair

To keep from ruining your day tape up the turn signal housing and the steering column to protect the paint. Probably overkill but I pull the steering wheel. Have fun.

[Steve H.]

Re: C! - '58 Tach removal and repair

I know this is an older thread, but for the benefit of folks needing to repair the speedometer or tack in the C1 Vettes, here is my recent experience.

I tried reinstalling the pod in two pieces but it can't be done. As the guys say above, you need to remove the entire cluster, but this is not as difficult as it might seem. Protecting the housing enclosing the signal mechanism from paint damage, as Terry suggested, is very important.

I marked all wires and lamp sockets but I did not do a very clear job so reinstallation took more time. I would consider using those plastic strip labeling strips in the future.

Anyway, when everything was reconnected and the key was turned on, the fuel and amp gauges went in the right direction, then the car fired up and ran fine. I had my doubts when looking at the dash with all the wires hanging loose when the cluster was out.

Also, if your tach stops working, first look at the tach drive mechanism off the end of the generator. My problem turned out to be a toasted bakealite gear in this device. It is very easy to remove this mechanism and it is also easily repaired in your shop.

As usual, this Tech Discussion board was a great help to me on this project and I want to thank all of you for your advice.