Anyone Try to Repair Sticky Tach Needle in an Early Car?

[t6dpilot]

My 71 has what I believe to be a sticky tach needle. The gauge is in great shape mechanically and cosmetically, but seems to start to stick around 3,000 revs and will not go above 4,200. It seems to act normal until you get up towards the 3,000 level and just does not advance fast enough to give me the impression that it is indicating correctly. Well, actually the fact that it won't go above 4k is the real indicator.

At first, I thought that it might be electrical in nature, but I am not so sure now. The CDI (Permatune) is wired and working properly and the engine runs beautifully. Lack of needle lubrication is what I am thinking and was wondering if anyone has tackled that project. It has to be a non-conductive lube, correct? Any suggestions here? Thanks.

[jwasbury]

Do a search here with the term sticking tach needle, there is an excellent thread that is on point. I don't know how the gauges may have changed, but I had a similar problem with my '79, and performed the fix as posted in the thread I found here. In my case, the "glass" lens on the gauge had warped to the point where there was no longer any clearance for the needle. It would work fine sometimes, but when it warmed up (due to sun, or having the heat on directed to the windshield) additional warpage of the lens would stop the needle at about 3k. The lens is actually plastic. In my case, once it was out, it was clearly not flat, but was curving inward. I just flipped it around and now its convex vs. concave, so no more clearance issue. Pulling apart the gauge is a bit of a PITA, but it can be done (requires equal parts patience and elbow grease).

Jacob

Sticking Tach Needle.... Whats the fix

added the link to what I think is an excellent thread...worked for me!