What exactly would I do to get this to work. Would it be a plug-and-work project? Do I just run the cable through the firewall and put it right in the distributor and I'm done? Also how would I reach the clock gauge of the car, I'd like to completely remove the clock and put the gauge in there. Thanks.

 

Are you installing a U21 Rallye Pac, or an aftermarket tach? For the most part it's simple as power feed to the tach, and a wire to the distributor. Make sure you have good grounds and you should be fine.

edit: forgot to tell you how to access the clock. The trim panel for the 3 gages is held by 2 phillips screws in the top. Look up from below the column and you'll see them. Undo them and tilt the bezel forward. it comes right out. Then you have access to the 3 bolts that hold the clock in place. Undo those and the clock will pull right out. Undo the lights and power feed.

 

I haven't ordered anything yet - just getting ideas, I know I'll order one soon though. Thanks for both parts!

Wow, the clock part seems 20x as easy as I first thought it would be.

Is there a reputation feature I can give you?

 

Does an aftermarket tach fit into the stock cluster without any cutting?...I see 5" Tach's for sale to fit into a 4+" space.

 

I've seen some that 'sort of fit' but it does look tacky (pardon the pun). The one from GMParts (or something like that) is very flimsy casing and has been reported to be a dog.

That's why I asked if he was installing a U21 tach. It's part of the gage package that's a direct bolt in.

 

Neat, any place you recommend for ordering it?

 

Thanks Allan, you mentioned GMparts, is this different from GMsports tach?
http://www.gmsportssalvage.com/?q=node/864

 

If you're not in a big hurry, wait for one to come up on ebay. It's the same gage clusters/senders, connectors from 70-72. The rallye pac is actually the 'tic toc tach' - a clock inset on the tachometer, and a gage cluster that replaces the idiot lights. You do have to reposition the wires in the connector for the gages and disconnect (truncate) the dark green wire at the bottom of the steering column that lights up the idiot lights when you turn the key to the 'start' position. It's a nice setup. Used to be able to buy them as repro's from Parts Place, Year One, and OPG. The prices have gone from 429.00 plus installation kit at Parts place to 584.00 from OPG to 749.00 at Year one. Duh.....They are all the same product from the same manufacturer. The major difference on the repops is the clock is quartz and more reliable, and the gage illumination needs to be fixed. (Rob71&Lady72 has a thread that provides the details of how to do it - very easy to follow with lots of great pics and dialogue)
If I was going to recommend a place it would be parts place http://www.thepartsplaceinc.com/ocat...&YearList=1972



Here's a link to Parts place. Use the keywords 'Rally pack'

Nope, boondocker its the one and same. Just couldn't remember the name off the top of my head. Apparently the case is plastic or very flimsy? If you do a site search, I believe some of the guys have ordered these and been very disappointed.

 

Thanks for the link, it sadly just won't fit my budget, I'm only 16. I was looking at http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MERCU...#ht_500wt_1182 it looked pretty close for a vintage feel, obviously not going to show it at car shows, so 5" may fit, depending on it the mounting works properly

 

I have an older Sun Super Tach II installed in place of the clock. I've seen this done on many an older cutlass. If these newer ones are any thing close in size to the older ones, it should be an easy project. And it fits your budget.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUN-CP7901/

 

If I was on a short budget, I'd probably go with the sun tach and strap it to the steering column. Leave the clock where it is. Later if you want to sell the car, you can easily take out the tach, and the dash will still be unmolested. Just a thought. Didn't realize hunter needed a less expensive option. Hunter - go for the sun tach - I like the idea you can set a red line on that tach, whereas the Mercury one doesn't have that feature. Summitt is a trusted name and they're not going to mess with you on this. PLUS, when you get the tach new it will also have install guide

 

Awesome! At first I didn't notice the adjustable red line, and could imagine people saying, 8000 rpm! It must be a 'drag race car'! But thanks for the tips, and last question is: Will it come with a (long) green wire for the distributor? The ones on ebay looked like they were 2 feet long and I know going from the dash to firewall to distributor is a way away.

Thanks for the help you too, glad to be here.

 

Well, to be honest I was a little worried that you might not be aware of the red line issue when I found out you were 16. But on the other hand I know lots of 16 year olds who have been mechanically inclined since they were 10! If you look at the stock (U21 rallye pac) the red line is 6000 but that doesn't mean you should push it that hard. With the Merc one there is no indication - you just have to know your application.

re: the tach wire? I don't know if it will come with the tach wire. Probability says it will because the ad says it includes mounting hardware. In the event that it doesn't, wire isn't that pricey.