was the roll tach just an option or was it specific to 375 hp 396?

I believe it was just an option, and was available with engines other than the 396/375

I have two different ones, and they both have differenet redlines.

Also I believe it was discontinued about half way thru '68 production.

Also I believe it was discontinued about half way thru '68 production.
Where did that info come from Mike? Not true. Tach and gauges were available through the end of 68 production. My car has the roller tach, and it was built May. Dave Dodds car also has the roller tach, I believe, and his 68 was one of the last Chevelles built in 68.

I think that tach came with small blocks as well but had a lower redline more than likely.

I think that tach came with small blocks as well but had a lower redline more than likely.
so your saying it was also available on a malibu as well as the SS396? if the red lines are different, any idea on what they might be for the differnent engines?

Usually the 325 hp 350 hp 396's got the 5500 redline. The 375 hp 396 & 325hp 327 got the 6,000 redline. I would think that the other small blocks with 300 or less hp got a 5,000 redline. I have a 69 cluster that has the 5,000 redline that came out of a 2 door sedan 350 300hp 4-speed car.

Where did that info come from Mike? Not true. Tach and gauges were available through the end of 68 production. My car has the roller tach, and it was built May. Dave Dodds car also has the roller tach, I believe, and his 68 was one of the last Chevelles built in 68.

That's what someone told me here. Sorry.

I have a 68 malibu that is a 250hp327 4spd with tach and guages which I purchased from the original owner. Also I have a 68 elc. that has a tach with idiot lights that is a 327 with power glide. I would have to check the redlines though.

RPO U14 Instrumentation, Special was available on all V8 Malibu and SS396 Sport Coupes and Convertibles only, according to the Chevelle Features and Specs Manual. The package included an in-dash tachometer, electric clock, ammeter, temperature and oil pressure gauges. This option was factory-installed only, you couldn't get it from the dealer.
The dealer installed tach looked like this-
BillL

I need a tach so bad for the 70 (has a sweep dash).
The PERFECT tach would be the one which has been developed for the clock position in 70-72 sweep dashes, but I have installed a NOS clock there and I really don't want to give it up. So, anyone have any other ideas for installing a tach in a 70 that doesn't look "unnatural"?
I have a vintage (new in the box) Stewart-Warner 8K mechanical tach that I'd love to install, but can't come up with an acceptable method to mount it. It needs to be kind of mounted to the side of the column (not on top) and pointing up at a slight angle since it is mechanical because I need to run a cable to a (Corvette) tach drive distributor (I have several).
Anyone have any good ideas for a nice tach for the 70-72 cars with the sweep dash?
Yes, yes, I've seen the complete gauge pkg dash insert for the 70-72 cars, but I don't want to go with that setup.

Usually the 325 hp 350 hp 396's got the 5500 redline. The 375 hp 396 & 325hp 327 got the 6,000 redline. I would think that the other small blocks with 300 or less hp got a 5,000 redline.

I'm pretty sure the 327/L79 was a 5500 rpm tach and the 396/L78 was the only car that got the 6000 rpm unit.