Tachometer Z-28 Required

[Iowa Jon]

Hi, I was reading through some of the CRG information on Z-28 required Tachometer.  Also an older thread.  The May/June time frame in 1969 that is referenced for a Z-28 to have a Tachometer. When would the dealers have been notified? I am not sure how long it took from Dealer order to delivery? Supposing I walked into the dealership on April 1st of 1969 would they have told me you must order a Tachometer because the build time for your car will be in May or June?  Or was it as of May / June at the dealer all cars ordered will require a Tachometer.  I read somewhere there was part shortages, labor issues etc.  My Z-28 was a 05A built car.  Not sure if it originally came with a tach? Wiring and dash carrier may be from another car.  Thanks , Jon

[GMAD_Van Nuys]

According to the youtube video below, a 1969 Z28 Camaro with a factory tachometer should have a hole in the firewall below the fuse box (approximately at the 7th minute):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79Q8qV2dLno

[william]

The U16 Tachometer or U17 Special Instrumentation were not included with Z/28 equipment. As of January '69 either was a required option at extra cost. However, supply problems with U16 were noted in a Zone letter to dealers dated February 11, 1969.

U16 was in production approximately mid-April '69. A .531" hole was required under the fuse box for the lead to the tach as shown in section U16 page A1 of the Assembly Manual.

[Iowa Jon]

Hi GMAD,  yes Thank You for the video.  I checked my Z 28 and it does not have the hole below the fuse block. I have not seen any other information regarding a Tachometer being routed a different way through the firewall.  Thanks, Jon

[Iowa Jon]

The U16 Tachometer or U17 Special Instrumentation were not included with Z/28 equipment. As of January '69 either was a required option at extra cost. However, supply problems with U16 were noted in a Zone letter to dealers dated February 11, 1969.

U16 was in production approximately mid-April '69. A .531" hole was required under the fuse box for the lead to the tach as shown in section U16 page A1 of the Assembly Manual.

Thanks William, very interesting I think it is safe to assume my 05A built Z 28 did not come with a tach.  Looks like all it had was a console.   Thanks,  Jon

[RikerZ28]

A little confused. The tachometer U16 before it was standard equipment (May 69) required the 1/2" hole below the fuse block for the tachometer connection. Now if you ordered U17 was this hole still required? Schematics show connection thru a block firewall connector?
One other thing the video states the hole was for a cable to the trans...That's news to me. Any truth to it?   Thanks!

[Iowa Jon]

Hi Riker,  I noticed that in the video he said that all Z-28's built after April were required to have a spoiler "10:03 mark". My car is a May built Z-28 and it did not come with a factory spoiler or a Tach. The video was good but I see a few things that are interesting about what he says.  Your point about the Tach is interesting.  I see the U17 reference now that I have the AIM. My car did have the console not sure about gauges.  It would be interesting to hear if anyone else has seen alternative Tach routing with a console and gauges option.  Jon

[RikerZ28]

Hey Jon, That's why I come to CRG for the answers. Without knowing the answer to my last post I could assume that a U16 was a stand alone item but when you ordered a U17 the wiring harness would probably be different than the standard model. The U17 wiring harness might incorporate the tachometer wire thus feeding it thru the fuse block like on the schematics. As for your console there might be wiring for the rear seat floor lighting, but if it had the gauges from the factory there is 3/8" rubber gourmet just above the coil where the mechanical oil line feeds the console gauge. Thanks, Bob     

[Iowa Jon]

Hey Jon, That's why I come to CRG for the answers. Without knowing the answer to my last post I could assume that a U16 was a stand alone item but when you ordered a U17 the wiring harness would probably be different than the standard model. The U17 wiring harness might incorporate the tachometer wire thus feeding it thru the fuse block like on the schematics. As for your console there might be wiring for the rear seat floor lighting, but if it had the gauges from the factory there is 3/8" rubber gourmet just above the coil where the mechanical oil line feeds the console gauge. Thanks, Bob   

Hi Bob,  I went and took a look at my firewall and there is a hole 3/8 right about where the coil would be. I attached a picture. No grommet. It looks like a factory hole. Below it is a small hole? I don't see reference to the small hole in AIM. Tell me if you think the hole looks factory. The picture may be sideways. I am not good at this stuff.   Thanks ,  Jon

[Iowa Jon]

Hey Jon, That's why I come to CRG for the answers. Without knowing the answer to my last post I could assume that a U16 was a stand alone item but when you ordered a U17 the wiring harness would probably be different than the standard model. The U17 wiring harness might incorporate the tachometer wire thus feeding it thru the fuse block like on the schematics. As for your console there might be wiring for the rear seat floor lighting, but if it had the gauges from the factory there is 3/8" rubber gourmet just above the coil where the mechanical oil line feeds the console gauge. Thanks, Bob   

I think this is a better picture.

[RikerZ28]

Jon, picture is too close take on from a distance. Also take a look at Assembly Manual U17 page A3 for reference. I will try and take a picture for you later today. Thanks, Bob

[usa1ti]

I have a 05A car that did not come with tach or gauges from the factory. NCRS date is 5/13/69.

[Iowa Jon]

Jon, picture is too close take on from a distance. Also take a look at Assembly Manual U17 page A3 for reference. I will try and take a picture for you later today. Thanks, Bob

Try this Bob.  I know its a bad picture.  I tried to put some additional light on the firewall.

[Iowa Jon]

I have a 05A car that did not come with tach or gauges from the factory. NCRS date is 5/13/69.

Hi Todd,  I assumed mine did not come with either.  However just about everything I thought I knew has been wrong. Since I got the AIM and joined this site I have learned a lot.  Thought my car was not an original spoiler car.  My car had been repainted a darker blue at some point and the stripes went over the deck lid lip. So i figured my spoiler may have been put on by a dealer or someone latter in life. I learned from some guys to check the rods underneath the deck lid. I have 1 small and 1 large. Which I guess may mean it came with a spoiler?  This site is great!!! 

[camaronut]

Look more like a bullet hole than a punched hole from the factory - seems odd.  Holes in the firewall from the factory look clean and not punched in.