I thought I would provide you all with a good laugh today at my expense....enjoy! I decided to install an after-market tachometer in my 70 SS this past weekend. Not wanting to damage the interior in any way, I thought mounting it on the steering column would be perfect. I used a 4" stainless steel hose clamp wrapped with black vinyl tape, actually didn't look bad. Hooked everything up, turned the engine on and the tach
worked perfectly. Unfortunately, when I went to shift the transmission (console mounted automatic)I discovered that what I thought was a solid, fixed steering column was actually a sleeve that rotated when moving the floor mounted shift lever causing the tach to rotate clockwise around the column! Needless to say, I felt pretty stupid. :rolleyes:
So, does anyone have any suggestions for mounting after market tachs in these cars that doesn't involve cutting or drilling into original interior pieces? I would appreciate any advice.
Thanks.

You can still mount it on the steering column, just move it closer to the steering wheel. I had a Sun Super Tach II mounted on my column for 3 years. I took it off because I put a factory tach in it to make it look a little more stock.

I have an older SUN RC85 tach on my 67 Elky and it's clamped between the steering wheel and stock column mounted shifter. Don't feel dumb, I mounted it behind the shifter, tucked up on the left side of the speedo so it'd kinda be out of the way...I couldn't back up either. graemlins/clonk.gif

I don't particularly like it sitting that close, but it'll have to do until the day I redo the inside of the Elky.

Who'da thought?...especially with a console. I don't know, but wouldn't think this is normal for a console shift car. Isn't there someway you can disconnect the linkage to column?

I agree with Tom. Got a Sun tach mounted on my 70 also. Just move it closer.

Originally posted by 68Elkie:
Who'da thought?...especially with a console. I don't know, but wouldn't think this is normal for a console shift car. Isn't there someway you can disconnect the linkage to column? You can disconnect it, but I personally would not for safety reasons. It serves as a locking mechanism so you cannot move the shifter while the car is parked. My 70 has it on there and it is an auto with a console/floor shift.

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll try moving it closer to the steering wheel.

I have a small tach, around 2" or so and I used mini-bungee cords to secure it. They hold it snug, don't do any damage and it can be easily removed, for repair, replacement, whatever.

Francis

Originally posted by BlueSS454:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by 68Elkie:
Who'da thought?...especially with a console. I don't know, but wouldn't think this is normal for a console shift car. Isn't there someway you can disconnect the linkage to column? You can disconnect it, but I personally would not for safety reasons. It serves as a locking mechanism so you cannot move the shifter while the car is parked. My 70 has it on there and it is an auto with a console/floor shift. </font>[/QUOTE]Tom basically covered it, my 72 Chevelle was the same way and when I had my B&M shifter installed the column now no longer moves when it is placed in a gear and you can put it in any gear now without the ignition being turned over. Not really good if you are parked on a slight incline and someone were to put your car in neutral and let it coast and crash into something. BTW I have a Auto Meter Autogage 3 3/4" tach mounted on my column right where you can see it.

Brandon

Thanks for the two latest responses. I happened to be looking at the Auto Meter website and noticed that they make a console mounted 4 gauge cluster that can be installed without cutting or drilling. It's pretty cool. Unfortunately, they only make it for Camaros and Novas. Too bad they don't make one for Chevelles - maybe some day.

Steve

For the contrarian view!

Personally, I prefer having the reverse lockout disabled. No other stick I've ever owned MADE you put it in reverse to remove the key. I'm used to putting it in gear (any gear) to keep the car where I left it and I use the parking brake, too, if necessary.

The other thing I've noticed with my M22 is that it can be tough to get it in reverse sometimes without grinding, if the the rpm's aren't just right.

It's a pain in the a$$, imo. I'd disable it and put the tach where you want it.

One big black tie strap look better than hose clamps graemlins/thumbsup.gif