Im in the same boat.
Custom tach install?
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New User
Joined: Nov 2011
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From: Seattle, WA
Custom tach install?
Hey guys I have a bit of an odd-ball question regarding a tachometer setup. I currently have an Autometer autogauge tach in my pickup but wanted to get something a bit more era-specific, and was wondering if it would be possible to install a tachometer from another 70s vehicle (1979 mustang for instance). I tried doing a little bit of research but didn't find much info. Would I be able to use the hardware from my current tach and just wire it to the new tach? Would one tachometer respond to an input signal from the coil differently than a different model tachometer? It would be a bit of a project to make the new tach into a pedestal mount configuration but I'd really like to hear any info or advice about wiring the thing if you've got any!
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
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From: NorCal
I'm not sure exactly what you mean by "custom tach install" but assume that you might mean retrofitting one into the cluster. In that case, yes it does matter from what car it is sourced. A tach from a four banger will read (I think) one half of the actual RPM. So, source the tach from a V8 and you should be okay.
As far as wiring, you'll have to disect the printed circuit or at least delete the circuit and make a separate connector. I suggest fabricating a harness with a male/female plug so it can easily be disconnected. Inserting it into the stock cluster will be a challenge... sizing will be important and get read to epoxy your butt off on the back side. Have you thought about getting a spare cluster and experimenting with it?
Others here have simply installed a tach in the left blank off plate above the light switch. EZ. Personally, a 2-inch hose clamp and a $5 Sunpro does the job on the steering column. For my Bumpside build, she's gonna get a $20 Sportcomp will fill the bill. Swap meets are gold mines!
As far as wiring, you'll have to disect the printed circuit or at least delete the circuit and make a separate connector. I suggest fabricating a harness with a male/female plug so it can easily be disconnected. Inserting it into the stock cluster will be a challenge... sizing will be important and get read to epoxy your butt off on the back side. Have you thought about getting a spare cluster and experimenting with it?
Others here have simply installed a tach in the left blank off plate above the light switch. EZ. Personally, a 2-inch hose clamp and a $5 Sunpro does the job on the steering column. For my Bumpside build, she's gonna get a $20 Sportcomp will fill the bill. Swap meets are gold mines!
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2010
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if your truck in a non ac truck find a dash piece from a ac truck take out the vent next to the door. if your careful it wont break. grind the tack holder flat drill a new hole in the tach holder so it will line up with the hole from the vent. nothing is damaged. your trucks orignal dash piece is still good and you now have a tach.
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New User
Joined: Nov 2011
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From: Seattle, WA
I'm not sure exactly what you mean by "custom tach install" but assume that you might mean retrofitting one into the cluster. In that case, yes it does matter from what car it is sourced. A tach from a four banger will read (I think) one half of the actual RPM. So, source the tach from a V8 and you should be okay.
As far as wiring, you'll have to disect the printed circuit or at least delete the circuit and make a separate connector. I suggest fabricating a harness with a male/female plug so it can easily be disconnected. Inserting it into the stock cluster will be a challenge... sizing will be important and get read to epoxy your butt off on the back side. Have you thought about getting a spare cluster and experimenting with it?
Others here have simply installed a tach in the left blank off plate above the light switch. EZ. Personally, a 2-inch hose clamp and a $5 Sunpro does the job on the steering column. For my Bumpside build, she's gonna get a $20 Sportcomp will fill the bill. Swap meets are gold mines!
As far as wiring, you'll have to disect the printed circuit or at least delete the circuit and make a separate connector. I suggest fabricating a harness with a male/female plug so it can easily be disconnected. Inserting it into the stock cluster will be a challenge... sizing will be important and get read to epoxy your butt off on the back side. Have you thought about getting a spare cluster and experimenting with it?
Others here have simply installed a tach in the left blank off plate above the light switch. EZ. Personally, a 2-inch hose clamp and a $5 Sunpro does the job on the steering column. For my Bumpside build, she's gonna get a $20 Sportcomp will fill the bill. Swap meets are gold mines!
I know you can just barely see it but its mounted on the steering column by means of a couple hose clamps
Moderator & parts slinger
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: S/W Missouri, Polk county
I would think as long as its set on 8 and you signal and power wire it correctly you should be ok, but let us see a pic of the tack to be sure, lol.
Is it a factory 79 Mustang tack out of the dash or a pedestal mount kind? I'm interested to see the tack design itself. Didn't know Mustangs had that option, but hay I am a truck guy.
I think the retro transfer is a cool idea, IMO.
Is it a factory 79 Mustang tack out of the dash or a pedestal mount kind? I'm interested to see the tack design itself. Didn't know Mustangs had that option, but hay I am a truck guy.
I think the retro transfer is a cool idea, IMO.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2011
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From: THIS IS SPARTA!, ...Mo.
Just be careful. I know the tachs from the torino and ranchero GT's were in line tachs. That means the coil feed goes through the tach. Power from the coil goes into the tach so it can read it, then back out to the distributor. So if your tach takes a dump, your car stops running.
A cooler touch would be to find a vintage tach. Moon equipment still sells their original Moon tach and a Sun replica of the ones they had back in the day.
Mooneyes Online Store - Specialty Equipment Manufacturer, Speed and Custom Parts for Motorcycles and Automobiles
A cooler touch would be to find a vintage tach. Moon equipment still sells their original Moon tach and a Sun replica of the ones they had back in the day.
Mooneyes Online Store - Specialty Equipment Manufacturer, Speed and Custom Parts for Motorcycles and Automobiles
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From: Seattle, WA
Just be careful. I know the tachs from the torino and ranchero GT's were in line tachs. That means the coil feed goes through the tach. Power from the coil goes into the tach so it can read it, then back out to the distributor. So if your tach takes a dump, your car stops running.
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From: S/W Missouri, Polk county
I am sure its got a wire harness connector back there and maybe it would go in the dash bezel above the headlight/wiper switch once you come up with a ring cover, maybe do some mustang dash grafting?? AKA Dremel surgery....
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New User
Joined: Nov 2011
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From: Seattle, WA
My thoughts exactly lol. I'm also a mechanical engineering student at Washington State University so if necessary I can mock up any special parts I need in solidworks or Pro-E and then get them made at one of the shops on campus
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