Tachometer "U" bracket help

[69280sl]

When I was taking my dash apart, I was so happy and relieved when I undid the knurled nut (by feel)and pulled out the tach, that I did not pay attention to the orientation of the "U" bracket that holds the tach behind the dash. Now that I'm putting it back, I can't get the bracket to get unto the stud at the back of the instrument.

Can someone please tell me the orientation. One side of the bracket is "bumped" out, (perhaps to clear the bulb holder that sticks out?). Does this side go up?, down?, towards the outside of the car?. towards the center of the car?

Thanks from a frustrated Pagodaist.

Gus
280sl

[J. Huber]

Hey Gus.

I have had mine out a few times -- but can't quite give you an answer off the top of my head. If no one beats me to it and you are willing to wait until tomorrow AM (California time) I can pop under the dash and have a look (feel)...

James
63 230SL

[69280sl]

Be very happy to wait James. I've had it for tonite, and thank you.

Gus 280sl

inspectorgm

68 280sl, signal red/ beige/black softtop

[J. Huber]

Hi Gus. Well. I just did my morning yoga -- a move known to many of us as the "Tach-ie Pagoda." With door open, back arched over the sill, head firmly on brake pedal...two ibuprofen a little later.

Looking from the front of the car toward the back: the notched side of the bracket goes on the left. There should be a hole on the right side where one of the bulbs go. The bracket is slightly askew from horizontal -- with the arms at approx. 2000 and 6000 on the gauge. Be sure to put the brown ground wire on with the knurled nut...

Hope this helps.

BTW, I was born not far from your town -- N. Oleander Ave, near Edison Park. Was 6 when I came to CA -- but still have a soft-spot for the Cubs.

James
63 230SL

[69280sl]

Thanks James. Now I am really confused. The bracket you describe with a notch in it and a hole for the bulb holder describes my speedometer bracket. The tach bracket which I'm working with is quite different. Any ideas?

Gus
280sl

[J. Huber]

Hmm. Well, I made sure I was looking at the Tach side. I can't speak for the Speedo bracket -- have not been on that side (yet?). I bet others will chime in -- most of us get to the instruments sooner or later.

James
63 230SL

[Jonny B]

They are indeed two different brackets. The one with the bump is for the tach. I had some issues with the lighting on the dash several years ago, and the tach bracket had to be replaced with one that had the bump out you type about. As stated, the speedo bracket will most likely fit for the tach, but I think the bracket can ground out against another of the tach bulb holders.

Jonny B
1967 250SL Auto

[Naj ✝︎]

Speedo looks like:


naj

68 280SL

[J. Huber]

I have Naj's version on my speedo (I believe -- its very difficult to see). My tach side has a cut-out on the other side of the nut presumably to allow for the tach cable connection. Now is "bumped out" the same as notched?

James
63 230SL

[Jonny B]

James, a notch might serve the same purpose, but the proper tach "keeper" is curved to allow a fit around the back of the tach. I do not have a picture available. If I remember correctly, we had to do some searching to find one a couple of years back to fix one of my dash lighting issues.

Jonny B
1967 250SL Auto

[69280sl]

James, thank you so much for looking behind your dash. I have the bracket Jonny describes and will take a picture of it. It has insulation at the "bump out", so it sounds like this was a change to help prevent shorting at the bulb holder.

Gus 280sl