I just recieved my tach today and was wondering if you could tell me with details, exactly how to remove the instrument panel and install the tach on my 86 Sedan; pictures would be great. I also noticed what looked to be a coolant leak. I was wondering if when I take it in to get the winter tires put on I should ask them to do a radiator flush, as I am not sure when the last time it was done. I also ordered a K cam and was wondering how many hours it would take for a expiernced mechanic to put one in?
Thanks

The rad flush is probably something you can handle yourself, but first, look around to see where the coolant leak is. Could be radiator hoses, heater hoses, or the water pump. Most of these are straightforward DIY jobs which a shop will probably sock you with a big bill to handle. Find the leak and post back, the folks here on the board will guide you.

Swapping a cam is probably a 2-3 hour job for a shop equipped with the right valve shims. I took about 4-5 hours to do mine, coupled with a timing belt change, fresh seals and drive belts. Probably took me longer to measure and adjust the valves than to actually swap the cam.

OK quick rundown of tach install:

Pull headlight knob and dimmer knob, straight off.
Pull out triangular panel with foglight rocker switch (or blank) in it, just pry out with small screwdriver
Remove blank gauge panels between intruments and radio. PRy with small screwdriver. Bottom one has it's clips near top, top one has its clips near bottom.
Remove 2 phillips screws on each side of instruments, and black metal frame from switch shafts. (U shaped thing on left)
Turn steering wheel straight ahead.
Pull instrument panel out towards you- it should be free though tight. Pull out about 4 inches.
Reach behind panel- behind temp gauge roughly there are 2 connectors, one full circle and one semi circle. Just pull out the back to unplug. Angle the panel if you can to see behind it. Note the 3-wire speedo cable in center. Note probably 2 other wires, like a blue/red and a yellow/red or maybe a black. Make a rough diagram of the back of the thing o take a digital pic to be sure you remember how it goes. There will only be 2 or 3 loose wires so not the end of the world. Unplug the speedo and individual wires.
Pull cluster to you up to back of steerign wheel. It should have no othe connections and be ready to slide out to the side.
Remove all phillips screws through the back of the clock. I think there are 6. Pull it off the pins on circuit board- probably qquite stiff. Gentle on the old brown PC board material here.
Once its off, install the black blockoff/spacer thing (you got one, right?) and then press the clock into the cluster. Line up pins and the black plastic thing. Install the screws. If you're installing the small clock, note the direction the plug goes, then set it aside.
Slide the cluster back behind the wheel, but first look for a red/white striped wire loose in there. Wasn't connected before. Now it will go to the double terminal on the new tach- NOT TO ANYTHING ELSE. All other wires are the same.
Install small clock into the top gauge opening. Supposed to be 3 little rubber feet to lock it in place. If not, use some plastic or rubber stuffed in the slots. Pull the 3-wire harness over to the back of tach, and plug to the 3 terminals that match. Push cluster back into place. Turn key on an make sure lights and gauges all seem to work ok. OK? REinstall screws, light panel + bracket, knobs, lower blank gauge and new guage surround for the clock with a hole in it.
Enjoy!
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Rob Bareiss, New London CT ::: '87 244DL/M47- 230K, 88 744GLE- 220K, 82 245T-181K Also responsible for the care and feeding of: 88 745GLE, 231K, 87 244DL, 239K, 94 855GLT 189K