Munky

I have an updated distributor in my 1968 right now which works great, except for the fact I can't use the stock tach. I have done some research, and it looks like it is going to cost me $450-500 for a dist. with the mechanical adaptor.

I have recently been toying with the idea of putting an aftermarket tach on the steering column, and placing it as low as possible/infront of the stock tach.

My car has open sidepipes, headers, highrise intake, K&N, and a cam so I am anxious to find out what kind of RPMS I am turning, at what speed, etc. so I can get an idea of where I am with the car.

any suggestions would be appreciated - I am torn!!!!

If anyone as pics I am interested as well.

Thanks all!

LFZ

get a new distributor that has a tach drive...IMO, i think those aftermarket tachs look terrible..especially if they are big and bulky and have a shift light.

Munky

AHAAH - I just had the same conversation with a buddy of mine - abou putting a huge one with a yellow outer ring, and a shift light on my dash. I would then put fake boost gauges on my pillar, neon lights and every accessory from Kmart.

Stewart's74

Why dont you get a used Tach Drive Dist and send it to Lars to rebuild. You'd probably save about $250 and have a Dist that works better than any new one.

markdtn

Get an electronic tach from a 75-77. Or have Corvette Clocks by Roger convert your stock tach to electronic.

mrvette

markdtn has the right idea there, for that matter, why not build in the aftermarket tach.....with the other mods it's no biggie to do so....assuming you don't butcher up the plastic lenz/ mounting assy too much....bet you can easy sneak something in there with no sweat.....

GENE

Munky

I don't know what I was thinking - thank you for the guidance during my moment of weakness.

Stu

Where do I find out about corvette clocks by roger?

lvrpool32

I bought a billet dual point distributor from mallory with tach drive for $148 and then spent about $100 on a breakerless conversion......works great/looks great.

Nick

Munky

Don't the 75-77 Tachs have a completely differnt face, redline etc?

I have a funny feeling I am not utilizing 1/2 of the power I have, and if that is the case, I am going to be scared, very very scared.

Munky

Can you tell me where you got the distributor, and the conversion? Did you do the conversion yourself - easy install etc? Any info would be great - why were all the ones I was looking at 400+???

kdf1986

Hello,
I agree with those that posted the following two options.

1. Purchase a mechanical drive tach, but that will be about $400, to keep everything working.
2. Try to convert to a later model electronic tach and place it in the current location.

I dont like the aftermarket tach bolted onto the steering column. I think it looks "Tacky", and yes, pun is intended.

If it was a Pro Street machine, then it woulud be ok, as that is what it is there for. But to do this in order to get around the problem, sounds like it would be better solved by getting to the root of the problem.

I kept my mechanical drive tach and converted to a HEI/Breakerless points aftermarket system by Pertronix.

kdf 1973 454
kdf 1986 L98

81 Vette

Summit is your friend....the best one on the market the MSD pro tach drive is under 400.


WAHOO 400 POSTS....so soon?? Gawd I must be a bored college student or something

Munky

Tacky is the word - you are right. Simply looking for an easy solution, and I really should have just gone with my initial gut of converting/ a distributor. Thanks for the info on petronix, and all suggestions -

Please understand I also wasn't thinking about a huge 8 inch tach with lights and whistles, Hell, I drive a vette not a mustang. I am not as bad as you might think

lvrpool32

WOW...I just looked online at Summit and mallory part 2664501, they are now up over $300!!
I bought mine a couple of years ago....deffinately gone up.
You may want to scan ebay..I have seen quite a few go through there cheap.

Nick

joe73vette

That's what I'd do. Joe

ps, you can transfer the guts to your tach so it would look completely stock.

Munky

YES YES YES _ I like the guts transfer idea - thank you so much. I is possible correct????

Munky

If I went with the MSD dist., won't I need an MSD ignition box as well??

learn me please

joe73vette

Yes, you can switch the guts. If you go to corvettefaq.com there is an article on rebuilding your tach. That will give you enough information to do the swap. Joe

81 Vette

nope...you can run a distributor without a box.

Pete79L82

That is not correct. Only the MSD HEI or the MSD Ready to Run models can be run without a MSD box. Neither is available with tach drive. The MSD Corvette tach drive model does require a 6, 7, 8, or 10 Series box.