[jonathankahan]

Good evening.. I have a 1976 Corvette with an automatic transmission. Photo below. I am fixing it up a little andhave done several things to get it done but have a few questions:

1.) My tach is not working and as a temporary fix, I want to install a small tach in the cluster(since my clock is missing anyway). I saw one at the store that was 2 inches... will that fit? If not, what size gauge will fit in the original cluster?

2.) I do not want to spend 400-500 for some basic door panels. I've searched everywhere including ebay. Is anyone selling any or know where I can get some? I don't even care if they look crappy.

3.) My left brake light works perfectly, but my right does not. It's very dim compared to the other. If my headlights are on, it will come on, but turn off when brakes are applied. I changed the bulb and checked it. I even hooked the ground cable from the harness to the negative battery post and it does the same. Ideas?

Thanks a lot friends!

 

[TimAT]

Good evening.. I have a 1976 Corvette with an automatic transmission. Photo below. I am fixing it up a little andhave done several things to get it done but have a few questions:

1.) My tach is not working and as a temporary fix, I want to install a small tach in the cluster(since my clock is missing anyway). I saw one at the store that was 2 inches... will that fit? If not, what size gauge will fit in the original cluster?

2.) I do not want to spend 400-500 for some basic door panels. I've searched everywhere including ebay. Is anyone selling any or know where I can get some? I don't even care if they look crappy.

3.) My left brake light works perfectly, but my right does not. It's very dim compared to the other. If my headlights are on, it will come on, but turn off when brakes are applied. I changed the bulb and checked it. I even hooked the ground cable from the harness to the negative battery post and it does the same. Ideas?

Thanks a lot friends

Nice looking Vette!
The tach could be a couple of things- on the intake, tucked kind of under the left side of the distributor, is a tach filter- it could have died.
Might be easier to get a cheap tach and clamp it on the steering column rather than rip the dash apart to pull the clock.

How bad are your door panels? I don't know who might have any that are less money, but there's got to be something you could fill cracks with and then paint.

I'd bet the ground to the socket is bad. I think the graound for the rear lights all goes to a single point on the left frame rail, but there's no reason you can't go right to the socket and ground it there. Symptoms really sound like a ground problem.

:welcometoourcl

 

[jonathankahan]

Thank you!

Well that May be the case. The tach just twiches like crazy and doesn't work. I am actually missing the clock, so there is a hole in my gauge bezel. I want to replace it with a small tach. I don't mind taking the dash apart for this. I just want to make sure a 2 inch gauge will fit in there. If not, what size?

Ill check out the ground wire again. Thanks!

 

[TimAT]

Tach Filter:
http://willcoxcorvette.com/advanced...79&category=14&keywords=Tach+Filter&x=33&y=11

Same place has the tach circuit board too. I don't know how much a 2" tach would be, but this might be a better way to go. With your description, I'd lean toward the filter.
At any rate- it might save you from having to rip the dash apart two times. I'm not sure, but I think that site has a troubleshooting guide for the tach- I know they do for the gauges.

 

[jonathankahan]

Awesome, I'm going to try to fix the main tach.

My last question remains: Will a 2 inch gage fit in the instrument cluster? If not, what size aftermarket gauge will fit in the hole?

 

[toobroketoretire]

Awesome, I'm going to try to fix the main tach.

My last question remains: Will a 2 inch gage fit in the instrument cluster? If not, what size aftermarket gauge will fit in the hole?

You can't use ordinary 2" diameter gauges as the factory gauges are an irregular shape and made super thin.

The tach filter must be well grounded and the two wires going to it in good condition.

 

[TimAT]

I've got SW gauges in my 69. I think the case size on them is 1-7/8, but it's been long enough I don't exactly recall too. ANd the 69 uses ROUND holes in the dash. I can't say if the 79 is still that way. I know some years the holes were flat across the bottom.

 

[minkus316]

Your fuel gauge must be broken. You don't let Ol' Red get down to "E" do you?

 

[TimAT]

I try not to let it get real low. But it's very hard to keep up too. Drinks gas faster than I do Jack Daniels'. Key is off in that picture= The oil and temp are mechanical- the other 3 are electric. It had been running and it had been shut off for 5 minutes or so.