SAAC Forum

The Cars => 1966 Shelby GT350/GT350H => Topic started by: hertz350 on November 26, 2025, 12:42:35 AM

Title: Tach Installation for 66 Shelby
Post by: hertz350 on November 26, 2025, 12:42:35 AM
Has anyone installed a Shelby Tach on the dash without removing the windshield? I would like to know how that was done.

How did Shelby American install the Tach?
Title: Re: Tach Installation for 66 Shelby
Post by: GT350Nick on November 26, 2025, 08:41:49 AM
Quote from: hertz350 on November 26, 2025, 12:42:35 AMHas anyone installed a Shelby Tach on the dash without removing the windshield? I would like to know how that was done.

How did Shelby American install the Tach?

Do you mean just just screwing it down into the existing holes or drilling and mounting it into a new/replacement dash pad?
Title: Re: Tach Installation for 66 Shelby
Post by: JFriend on November 26, 2025, 09:16:07 AM
Following. I replaced he dash pad in my '66 H, but haven't located an appropriate tach yet, so I hadn't considered that there would be any difficulty in mounting it. I still have the original dash pad for location info.
Title: Re: Tach Installation for 66 Shelby
Post by: FL SAAC on November 26, 2025, 09:44:38 AM
When we acquired our 1966 GT350 we had the tach refurbished, going from memory the top-mounted tach had two sheetmetal screws holding the bracket down and the wire disappeared through a hole in the dash pad which was concealed by the tach bracket.

Best of luck on your endeavors!
Title: Re: Tach Installation for 66 Shelby
Post by: Bob Gaines on November 26, 2025, 09:59:33 AM
Quote from: hertz350 on November 26, 2025, 12:42:35 AMHas anyone installed a Shelby Tach on the dash without removing the windshield? I would like to know how that was done.

How did Shelby American install the Tach?
SA removed the das pad and notched the metal dash structure
Quote from: hertz350 on November 26, 2025, 12:42:35 AMHas anyone installed a Shelby Tach on the dash without removing the windshield? I would like to know how that was done.

How did Shelby American install the Tach?
Are you wanting to know how it was done on a car at SA that had never had one installed before or are you asking about a GT350 that needs the tach mounted and reinstalled after restoration? One procedure is much harder then the other. Nether need the windshield removed.   
Title: Re: Tach Installation for 66 Shelby
Post by: hertzz350 on November 26, 2025, 01:07:23 PM
Also be sure you install the metal hollow tubes into the screw holes to prevent the bracket from crushing the dash pad you see on a lot of shelbys. Cut the tube so it is almost flush with the bottom of the tach bracket. The tubes are just large enough for the screw to go into. When you screw it down it will be nice and secure.
Title: Re: Tach Installation for 66 Shelby
Post by: FL SAAC on November 26, 2025, 02:15:48 PM
Funny that you mention
Quote from: hertzz350 on November 26, 2025, 01:07:23 PMAlso be sure you install the metal hollow tubes into the screw holes to prevent the bracket from crushing the dash pad you see on a lot of shelbys. Cut the tube so it is almost flush with the bottom of the tach bracket. The tubes are just large enough for the screw to go into. When you screw it down it will be nice and secure.

Funny that you mention a "tube"

I believe when we removed our tachometer and bracket, there was a short piece of steel tube or pipe.

Then when the bracket gets bolted down, the pipe prevented crushing the dash pad and prevents the tachometer from moving or wobbling.
Title: Re: Tach Installation for 66 Shelby
Post by: hertz350 on November 26, 2025, 06:23:55 PM
Thank you all for the responses. I will be installing a tach on the dash of a 66 Fastback which has not had a Shelby tach installed before.

In my 66 Shelby we installed the tach using the existing holes before we installed the windshield. We had plenty of room to work with. I was looking for tips on how to install one including drilling the holes in the dash metal while the windshield was in place.

I was also looking for information on how SA did it?
Title: Re: Tach Installation for 66 Shelby
Post by: greekz on November 26, 2025, 06:49:59 PM
You might try a right angle drill adaptor.  If I could figure out how to attach a picture, I would.


Title: Re: Tach Installation for 66 Shelby
Post by: Bob Gaines on November 26, 2025, 07:15:56 PM
Quote from: greekz on November 26, 2025, 06:49:59 PMYou might try a right angle drill adaptor.  If I could figure out how to attach a picture, I would.



You can get a inexpensive right angle drill given a one or two time usage at Harbor freight. If plan on using a lot then a better ones makes more sense.