My tach install thread
 

Well, i finally decided i wanted a tach in my "gauges" cluster. So i did some quick research and decided on the Sunpro FZ88R. It has a similiar look and correct sweep. As far as i can tell its only availible in the 3 3/8" inch size. I ordered it from Summit Racing at the cost of 129.99. It comes with a mounting cup and 2 brackets. Steering column mount and dash mount. And screws and instrucions obviously. No wires.
I have some pictures here that illustrate how it fits in my cluster. This tach is a sealed unit. Which means you cant take the internals out unless you cut the case. So im going to attempt to install it as its comes out of the box. Initially, it appears to fit very close. So i am going try to design a plate to go over the back of the cluster housing to bolt the tach to.
So this is as far as ive gotten. I plan to finish this in 2 weeks(dont hold you breath..lol). I will try to get my plate cut out and finished within the next few days. More pics to follow soon. Any questions?

Re: My tach install thread
 

pics of the tach

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pics of tach in cluster

Re: My tach install thread
 

In the last picture you can see some of the chrome face exposed. I will try to paint the face black to eliminate the shiny spots. The face is offset a little bit. So opening up the black cover plate to a full circle may not work. Oh, and i did have to file down the back of the black cover plate because it had a radiused protrusion sticking out. But i didnt have to file it flush. I will try to get a picture of this, but i have to take another cluster apart to get the picture.

Re: My tach install thread
 

Very interesting, look forward to your progress. Do you plan on installing anything in the other left hand hole?
I plan on starting my conversion soon, but have already purchased a reproduction tach from one of the old Chevy parts houses.
Debated a long time on what to do with the other hole as long as I had the cluster out. Thought about a vacuum gauge, clock, etc., but finally decided on a Volt Meter. Just awaiting for it's arrival before the fun begins.
I ordered a
"Auto Meter 2319 Auto Gage 2-5/8" 10-16 Volt Short Sweep"
Hope I can get it to fit, and look decent.
Good luck on your project.

Re: My tach install thread
 

I have been considering this EXACT SAME mod!!! Man, I am definitely tuning in to this thread.

My ideas were similar to yours, but I was planning to disassemble the gauge, which meant gently prying open the crimp on the chrome bezel. If you did this, you might be able to utilize the factory gauge plates. Looking at your set-up, I might just do the way you're doing it, as it looks much easier than my way.

I was going to contact one of the gauge overlay companies and see if they would make me an overlay with the correct green lettering to match the rest of the cluster. I found overlays for 5,000 rpm and 6,500 rpm faces, but nothing to match the new Sun tach's 8,000 rpm sweep.

If you're looking for a cheap idea to fill the left side of the cluster, check out my '64 build thread and see how I did my vacuum gauge for cheap.

Re: My tach install thread
 

It’s a shame they didn’t produce this new tach with the same bolt-together technology found on the vintage models. It would make things a lot easier for gear heads that can’t leave anything alone. I have had good luck in the past twisting bezels off gauges and using the guts inside factory panels on 1940’s cars. Just a little scary on a brand new gauge costing over $100, since you can’t know for sure what else they may have changed until after it’s torn apart.

Looking forward to seeing this all back together.

Re: My tach install thread
 

Lmc list a tach conversion kit on page 73 of the catalog. Said it's for trucks that didn't come with the tach in the factory cluster.

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Also comes with a hefty price

Re: My tach install thread
 

Im excited about this as well. I have a few more pics here. I have to come up with a way to bolt it in. I have the plate as you can see. I have to weld some tabs on my .030 aluminum....that out to work well...lol. Its very thin. I plan to try to make more of these. We will see.

Re: My tach install thread
 

Good job done!

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The casual observer would never know that didn't come from the factory.

Re: My tach install thread
 

Nice work - looks great.
Greg.

Re: My tach install thread
 

Thanks for the kind words. I still have to finish the back plate for the tach to bolt to. And i also am going to track down a clock for the other side. If i can, i plan to make these back plates to sell. Got to finish the design first. I found the tach through summit racing, but saw it also on ebay for 99.99. I paid 129.99. I wanted to go through summit in case i had to return it. I will try to get pics of the way it came out of the box. I considered just putting on my steering column. Then decided to put it in the cluster.

Re: My tach install thread
 

I was looking at the exact same tach for my '65. Can you give any details on the bracket you made?
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Re: My tach install thread
 

hey, looks very nice! jocko like!

Re: My tach install thread
 

Looks really good.

Appreciate you posting your work.

Re: My tach install thread
 

Not sure what details you would like. Im not finished with it yet. The gauge is just sitting in the hole temporarily. I tried something different today and it didnt work. Im still trying to come up with a way to bolt it. Time is kinda short with the holiday an all. I will try to work on it tommorrow again. I will give an update soon.

Re: My tach install thread
 

Heres a picture of the black overlay plate. It has a raised part that needs to be filed down. In my picture you can see this, right at the end of my marker. I just filed it down flat. Otherwise it holds the tach away from the window to far.

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Heres a pic of my plate almost done.Im gonna paint it yet. Its 2 pcs of aluminum welded together. I have some other ideas about making them from steel. Once i get back to work after the new year, i will have access to a plasma cutter and will try to make these from steel.

Re: My tach install thread
 

Nice work!

I just replaced the backs on mine for both the clock (custom) and used a tach similar to that, but not as nice. :lol:

Re: My tach install thread
 

Very nice work :thumbs:

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I see you selling these tach brackets on ebay in the near future:lol: nice work!!

Re: My tach install thread
 

Thanks for the compliments. As far as selling them, i have a few other design ideas. I wont be able to explore them till next week or so, when i go back to work. Im going to try to make them out of steel instead of aluminum. The real problem is cost(isnt it always) and time to make. I should have bought the tach that classic parts or lmc has. If could source the tach for under 100 and get the plate for like 40, thats closer to what i think people would pay.We will see.

Re: My tach install thread
 

I have been keeping trac of this from the first day. By far the best post concerning tach alternatives. I have an original Sun Tach but it is for a V8 and I will be keeping my in-line 6. The original tach is engine specific and to have it refurbished at about $260 is cost prohibitive. Your Idea is perfect. Now for the question. Have you looked at removing the chrome bezel prior to mounting it? And what would be the pros and cons in doing so?

Re: My tach install thread
 

Well, technically, its a sealed unit. It probably can be cut apart. I dont reccomend it because you dont have to. It may not be mountable when taken apart. I wasnt ready to sacrifice $130, in case i damaged it while cutting it. I plan to paint the chrome black to hide the shiny spot.

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Im also looking into a clock setup. I havent come up with one i like. Its difficult to find a 3 3/8 diameter clock. Nobody in the parts houses is giving any dimensions. The closest i have come to is a 66/67 chevelle clock or Classic Instruments has a "SG93SLF Clock (w/reset button)", but cant seem to find a picture of it. It may come in different styles though. More research is neede on my part.

Oh yeah, Bobsgauges.com says its $148....not exactly cheap.

egauges.com is $105...better

Autometer has a 2 1/16 dia. which is a little too small.

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Sorry for the very slow response. I just now came back to read it, lol. As far as T2vigil's question goes, that chrome bezel is crimped onto the back case. I wasnt ready to sacrifice a $130 tach by cutting it. I do have the skills, but didnt want to come up with some wacky setup to put it back together in case i couldnt mount it like the factory tach. It fit in the cluster housing, so i went with it. I still havent made up any extra brackets yet. Im on to restoring steering wheels.

Re: My tach install thread
 

First let me thank Rideblue for his help in providing the bracket for mounting the tach. It works perfectly and makes the install super easy. Now for the interesting part. After talking with the Sun folks the glass front on the tach is one piece that covers the whole front of the tach. It is also sealed to the to the tack itself. I say this to let folks know that if they want the front of the tach can be ground off. I took it slow and easy and ground off the front. I am really pleased with the outcome since there is no chrome to paint. If someone can guide me through the process of posting photos I will take a few. Again thanks Rideblue.

Re: My tach install thread
 

Here;
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=295313

I, myself, use www.Photobucket.com
I upload my pics to photobucket, and then copy the IMG link

And Here:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=201224


..

Re: My tach install thread
 

I am very interested in in seeing some pictures of your setup T2vigil. Post some pics when you figure out how.

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that is just cool:metal:

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That is a cool modification. I see some winter projects coming my way.

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What is the part number of the Tach you guys are using?

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Sunpro FZ88R is the model here i have used. I am interested in making more of these adapter plates, its just i am working alot of hours right now and dont even have time for my truck. I sold one to T2vigil and hopefully he will post some feedback and pics of his install. He said he actually cut the tach apart. I am interested in seeing his install process.

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Once again I will try to post photos. The first one is the final product.Attachment 999020

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Now I will attempt a couple more.Attachment 999030
The part that I ground off of the new tach and the view from the rear installed.

Attachment 999031

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This is Shown after the Bezel is ground off the tach and flat black paint applied.
Attachment 999049

Close-up of the installed tach.
Attachment 999050

I would like to give a shout out to rideblue for his tach support bracket. It made the install super simple.

Re: My tach install thread
 

That looks great!

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Thanks Mark. A heads up to those brave enough to grind off the bezel on a brand new tach. If you get in too big of a hurry to grind and get a moisture film on the inside of the glass, slowly use a hair dryer to dry it out.