installing factory tach

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Adamds86

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 24, 2016
Posts
54
Reaction score
5
Location
New York
First Name
Adam
Truck Year
1973
Truck Model
K25
Engine Size
350
Hello everybody. I bought a new cluster that has a tach for my 1973 GMC K25. One problem though, my truck didn't originally come with a tach sooo I need to know how to wire the tach into the truck...on the back of the tach there is a 3 pin connector labeled coil, ground and 12v...could someone help me out with wiring this?

Sent from my VS985 4G using Tapatalk
 

bucket

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Posts
30,645
Reaction score
28,959
Location
Usually not in Ohio
First Name
Andy
Truck Year
'77, '78, '79, '84, '88
Truck Model
K5 thru K30
Engine Size
350-454
Did you get the correct year range of cluster? You need one with an ammeter, and not a voltmeter. The tach is labeled just how it gets wired. The ground goes to ground, 12+ goes to ignition power (your gauges fuse would be a good hookup) and the TACH wire goes to the negative side of the coil. Unless the truck has been converted to HEI, then it just hooks to the TACH terminal on the distributor cap.
 

RetroC10Sport

Supporting Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Sep 29, 2010
Posts
17,193
Reaction score
2,526
Location
Green Bastard Parts Unknown
First Name
Jay
Truck Year
2001
Truck Model
pontiac aztek
Engine Size
3.4
Yeah, if you try to plug a voltmeter cluster in a truck with an ammeter, you're gonna have a BAD time.
 

Adamds86

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 24, 2016
Posts
54
Reaction score
5
Location
New York
First Name
Adam
Truck Year
1973
Truck Model
K25
Engine Size
350
it is a cluster from a 74. I figured out the wiring. my hei distributer had a section right on it for a tachometer that I spliced into. Thank you very much.
You must be registered for see images attach


here's a picture of the finished job.

Sent from my VS985 4G using Tapatalk
 

animal

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Jul 30, 2010
Posts
5,627
Reaction score
3,904
Location
Georgia
First Name
Lee
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
c10 silverado
Engine Size
350ish
Nice find :waytogo:
 

74 Shortbed

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 12, 2013
Posts
6,306
Reaction score
1,413
Location
*
First Name
*
Truck Year
*
Truck Model
*
Engine Size
*
Looks great..:cool:
 

75 short

Junior Member
Joined
Jul 31, 2016
Posts
15
Reaction score
14
Location
micigan
First Name
warren
Truck Year
1975
Truck Model
k10
Engine Size
350
doing same to a 75 what is the slot at the bottom of speedo for thanks
 

Adamds86

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 24, 2016
Posts
54
Reaction score
5
Location
New York
First Name
Adam
Truck Year
1973
Truck Model
K25
Engine Size
350
doing same to a 75 what is the slot at the bottom of speedo for thanks
it is a park brake indicator when park brake is actuated it lights up.

Sent from my VS985 4G using Tapatalk
 
Last edited:

75 short

Junior Member
Joined
Jul 31, 2016
Posts
15
Reaction score
14
Location
micigan
First Name
warren
Truck Year
1975
Truck Model
k10
Engine Size
350
thanks appricate
 

Camatruder

Full Access Member
Joined
May 11, 2016
Posts
294
Reaction score
1,073
Location
Belgium
First Name
Rik
Truck Year
1991
Truck Model
K5 Blazer
Engine Size
350ci / 5.7l
I did the same in my '91. Love having a tacho.
You must be registered for see images attach
 

Forum statistics

Threads
44,435
Posts
957,868
Members
36,802
Latest member
mcflurry
Top