Topic: Tachometer not working
in Forum: C3 Engines
Already a Member?
Click Here to Login
Not yet a Member?
Click Here to Register for Free!
Former Member
Send PM
Easthampton, MA - USA
Joined: 5/27/2007
Posts: 114
Vette(s): 1970 corvette conv, 350 auto.
OK Guy's I was gonna wait till winter to bother with this one, but, I am gonna try to get it done while I still have a couple$$. When I bought the car (1970 red vert) the tach was not working and as I understand it ...it has not in a while. Looks like a cable just goes into the distributer, can I just unscrew it and test it to see if the cable is broken...maybe with a drill to try to turn cable and see if the tach indicates speed?? Is there a common problem with these, or is the tach itself likely to blame THANKS!!!
SPONSOR AD:: (Our Sponsors help support C3VR)
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
You can remove the cable from the dist and spin it with your fingers or a drill to see if it works.
It is common for the cable to twist the end off, especially if the cable gets in a bind where it comes out of the dist.
Check the cable ends first by spinning it with the drill(or fingers), then, if the tach moves like that, the gear is probably damaged in the dist.
It is common for the cable to twist the end off, especially if the cable gets in a bind where it comes out of the dist.
Check the cable ends first by spinning it with the drill(or fingers), then, if the tach moves like that, the gear is probably damaged in the dist.
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56 
My Link 
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
What Joel says is by far the easiest/quickest test you can do to narrow down the problem.
74-454 2007-08-01 20:39:28
If you find out that you have to replace the cable (probably cheaper than a dist. gear; if easily serviceable), I hope you have small hands!
I found out when replacing my speedometer cable that a second elbow on the same arm would be so cool 
to reach it behind the console.
I found out when replacing my speedometer cable that a second elbow on the same arm would be so cool to reach it behind the console.in Forum: C3 Engines
SPONSOR AD: (Our Sponsors help support C3VR)