62 tach cable stem broke and other ???

[Chris H.]

My tach cable broke off at the tach and when I have it out I thought I'd replace the face because the red had faded out. When I ordered from MD I was told I had the wrong face for my 62 340. This tech group confirmed that.

Now that I have it out the date on the tach is DEC 30, 1959, I think. My questions are:

1. assume that this tach is OK for my car except for face which I will swap out. (Low RPM color was incorrect)

2. Cable end is broken off in back of tach and I cannot grab it to get it out. How do I get it out?

3. How easy should it be to turn the tach? Seems pretty hard.

4. Can I take this thing apart further? I removed the gage face and have the guts in my hand but am afraid to go further. I can take out the two bolts to get the can loose but it is attached to the clock spring and I do not know what to do next.

thanks, Chris

Thanks, Chris

[William C.]

Re: 62 tach cable stem broke and other ???

You have another problem if the tach is dated 1959, as all the low horse tachs in that era were generator driven where yours is distributor driven. One reads at cable speed, the other at twice cable speed.

[Chris H.]

Re: 62 tach cable stem broke and other ???

Thanks Bill. I assume mine is correct because otherwise it would have been way off when it worked. It has the same red zone as mine. Also it says right on the can read 2 times cable speed.

Another question though- How much restoration do you guys do to the can? It is a bit old looking-not shiny. But if I cleaned it up the lettering would come off. What coating is on this thing?

Thanks, Chris

[William C.]

Re: 62 tach cable stem broke and other ???

The can is either tin or zinc plated, and is darn near impossible to see when installed in the car. It is not a big appearance item.