[unruhjonny]

that black “wire” is the lead to get lighting to the ashtray.

[MDSHARK81]

Is it like a fiber optic to bring light from the bulb, down to ashtry?

[unruhjonny]

yup - fiber optic - I couldn't recall what it was called when I typed that.

[MDSHARK81]

Wow, Great info…..Never knew they used fiber optics on T/A’s ( other than the prism for wiper/light switch)……Learn something new everyday!!!! Great info here!!!

Thank You

[MDSHARK81]

Update post: I sent my gauge cluster to Redline Gauge Works in Santa Clarita, Ca. Spoke with Shannon ( he was great). They did a Tach movement replace with modern step motor. This required the addition of a 12v power wire. They also did a quartz clock movement conversion as well. My gauges were in great condition so no cosmetic work was necessary. Installed this weekend. Gauges work great!!! Tach is rock solid!!! Pretty quick turnaround and the customer service was great. They always pick up the phone and answer all questions. Thanks RamAir for the recommendation!!!

[Baba O'Riley]

What is involved in upgrading a '71 tach for an MSD pro-billet distributor that doesn't use an external ignition box? My tach died a couple days after putting an MSD in. So -- is the upgrade replacing the printed dash circuit? Will the aftermarket one made for '70-'71's work, or is another one required?

BTW I called Redline about a speedo noise and they were very helpful. I'm driving my tach over to them once I know what other parts I should bring to fix it.

[Baba O'Riley]

Originally Posted by MDSHARK81

Update post: I sent my gauge cluster to Redline Gauge Works in Santa Clarita, Ca. Spoke with Shannon ( he was great). They did a Tach movement replace with modern step motor. This required the addition of a 12v power wire. They also did a quartz clock movement conversion as well. My gauges were in great condition so no cosmetic work was necessary. Installed this weekend. Gauges work great!!! Tach is rock solid!!! Pretty quick turnaround and the customer service was great. They always pick up the phone and answer all questions. Thanks RamAir for the recommendation!!!

Taking my gauge cluster up to Redline today to go over options. The tach on my '71 has two small terminals in the upper corner. it actually worked for a couple days after the MSD dist. went in, so I thought it was okay. But nooooooo. I'd like to get the clock working in mine as well.

[srmmmm]

Originally Posted by grd777

have the same issue with my tach let me know how you make out

Tach checked out OK. Circuit board had been changed out to accept the MSD billet signal. Issue turned out to be harness connections not being clean and fully secured. All harnesses on the car were NOS but I imagine there might still have been some dust or light corrosion built up during 40+ years of storage.

[Baba O'Riley]

Originally Posted by MDSHARK81

Update post: I sent my gauge cluster to Redline Gauge Works in Santa Clarita, Ca. Spoke with Shannon ( he was great). They did a Tach movement replace with modern step motor. This required the addition of a 12v power wire. They also did a quartz clock movement conversion as well.

Met Shannon at Redline today. He's great -- super-knowledgeable, patient with questions, just very helpful overall. He knew exactly what I was trying to tell him about the MSD distributor.

So on my '71, Redline is going to put new movements in the tach and clock. The dash circuit is de-laminating, so they'll replace that as well. Plus -- I've been getting some bizarre readings with my oil pressure / water temp gauge. Oil pressure reads the exact same low number it did before the motor was rebuilt in the fall, and it barely moves on hard revving. The temp jumps way up just after startup but a surface thermometer verifies there's no such overheating. Shannon showed me how the needles move on this gauge when it is simply tilted, he says that's a bad sign... he recommended I just have a new unit put in. Finally, he'll clean the old grease and debris out of the speedo head to hopefully get it running smooth and quiet.

I'm fine with the appearance of the cluster as it is, so there won't be anything done there.

Going to get the replacement parts tomorrow then deliver everything to Redline in a day or two.