Research Topic: How to Identify a 1968 Chevy II or 1969-1972 Nova Tachometer

Chevy II and Nova Coupes (2 door) ordered with Bucket Seats (RPO A51) could also add a Console (RPO D55). Cars with Consoles could also add the Special Instrumentation package (RPO U17). This package added a tachometer to the dash cluster and moved the fuel gage to the console.

The tachometer was specially designed to fit the engine ordered with the car. There are several tachometers. How do you know which one fits your car? Below outlines the basic differences between the tachometers. There were some changes made to the tachometers during these years.

I am seeking pictures of tachometers from each year from 1968 to 1972 for each of the engine combinations. Please contact me If you have an original tachometer in your car. I am looking for pictures and the part number / two letter code from the label on back of the speedometer cluster. As there may be production changes mid year it would also me helpful to that the trim tag information and the VIN. Once classified I can show a picture of the tachometers for each year. These tachometers are from the first half of the 1970 Model Year.

1. Small Block Tachometer:

This tachometer has a 4500 RPM yellow line and a 5000 RPM red line. This tachometer was used on the small block V8 cars.

2. RPO L34 Big Block Tachometer:

This tachometer has a 5000 yellow line and 5500 RPM red line. This tachometer was used on the 396 / 350 HP big block V8 cars. Probably used prior to December 1970.

3. 1969 RPO L78 Big Block Tachometer:

This tachometer has a 5500 RPM yellow line and 6000 red line. This tachometer was used on the 396 / 375 HP big block V8 cars. I am looking for more from 1969

4. 1970 RPO L78 Big Block Tachometer:

This tachometer has a 5500 RPM yellow line and 6500 red line. This tachometer was used on the 402 / 375 HP big block V8 cars used during the 1970 Model year. I am looking for more examples from 1970

Pictures courtesy of Allen Cardo

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