Swell!!....

[rcb280z]

I just installed, 3 weeks ago, a new full face dash cover. Looks really nice. Now my Tach decides to fail! It's stuck at 2800 rpm. My question is: what is the trick to removing the tach through the front of the new dash cap? I havent spent too much time trying to remove it but it will not come past the "rolled" lip of the dash cap. Anyone else have this issue and found a solution? Thanks.

[Zed Head]

Get a piece of stiff mylar film and make a cone around the face of the tach. It will act as a ramp to get over the edge of the dash cap. It will probably take some real pushing from behind. I had trouble just getting mine started moving when I recently removed it, the original dash had molded itself around it. Even though I had it out a couple of years ago. This is without a dash cap.

[rcb280z]

Thats a great idea. Worth trying for sure. I was thinking I would have to wrap something completely around the face somehow. Wonder if anyone has done it with the dash cap and was successful?

[zKars]

I did it once by using very thin feeler gauges stacked around the perimeter. Still was a royal PITA! Add some heat to soften the cover around the gauge as you jamb it through from the back. No fun no matter what you do.

[madkaw]

This is one reason I am currently working on a FG option for a dash replacement. Our options are expensive or a PITA like the problem you are dealing with now. I will eventually start a thread on this when I get a little further on this option. My FG guy has a dash now and we are discussing the next steps!

I know you can use a heat gun to flatten the plastic or mold it if that is an option.

[rcb280z]

Thanks guys. Not matter what or how the tach has to come out. I will hopefully be able to post what I did to make it happen this weekend, as long as Im successful with it. Im anxious to see your dash replacement madkaw.

[rcb280z]

Ok I searched the forum again and this time found a thread on tach removal with full face dash cap. He was unable to retrieve it through the front but was able to bend a mounting tab behind the dash and remove it that way (from the back). I will trying it some day soon when the temps outside cool down. It has been in the upper 90's at the beach! We set an all time record yesterday!

[Captain Obvious]

I hope that's not the tach you got from me... Is a refund in order? :bulb:

[rcb280z]

Capt, yes it is the tach and NO there is no refund due. It is a used part. I knew I was taking a chance anyway. but thanks for the offer :classic:

You are gentleman and a scholar.

[Captain Obvious]

Sorry. All I can say is that I used that tach in my car for a year and never had any issues. The classic line "It didn't do it while I had it!"

When it sticks... Does it only stick when the engine is running, or is it stuck now with the car sitting OFF. In other words, is it clearly mechanical only, or is there the chance that it's an electromechanical issue that might not be inside the tach at all?

Don't go cracking your dashboard, but does the tach fall to zero if you thump the dashboard or steering wheel?

[rcb280z]

Capt, what I have discovered in the last 12 hrs is in the am the tach works fine, late in the day (5pm) it doesnt work. It has been hotter than normal but cant see how that can have a factor. It tries to work, very slow reaction to rpms. Off to work I go now. Will see what happens today with it.

[Captain Obvious]

Well the important thing to figure out is if it's a mechanical issue inside the tach itself, or if the tach is picking up some electrical noise from the ignition system and responding to it. In other words, the problem may not be inside the tach at all, but might be a problem with something like a condenser somewhere that's dried out over the last 40 years.

Keep us posted!