The tach's been burned out in my truck for as long as I've had it - Always checked the trucks at the boneyard, but they either had a dead sensor as well or were never fitted with one in the first place. I didn't want to eat the ~$70 cost of the OEM part, and didn't want to go through the hassle of wiring an aftermarket sensor that runs off the alternator/harmonic balancer, etc. I found a thread a while back on another forum that states a Chevy Cavalier crank position sensor would work in it's place. $18 from O'Reiley's.

Grabbed a 3/4-16 NF die, scribed a line to know how far to thread it by comparing it with the old sensor, and soldered the old connector to it. Lo and behold, that big gauge that's always taken up space in my dash cluster now does something. I puked in my mouth a little asking the parts counter guy for a GM part, but I took it as the taste of those Hamiltons that are still in my pocket.

The result:



I know, nothing too extraordinary. I did a little bit of Googling while looking for some more info and couldn't find anyone on here that had done it, and I've now increased the total number of pictures of the swap on the internet by 33%.

Next on the list of things to do tonight: 1) Build a new glow plug harness because the spade connector on one of the plugs came loose and grounded itself on the driver's side valve cover. Melting insulation generates quite a bit of smoke. 2) Take apart my fuel filter housing to replace the o-rings.

Have a good one.

 

Innovative man!

 

Thanks, man. That means a lot coming from the only guy I've seen actually put ARP studs to the test. The only question that's in my head when you get that S366 in is whether the clouds will part, in addition to the supersonic boom created when the engine fires for the first time. I'm pretty much undecided, but I'm sure I'll be able to see it from Olympia!

 

I don't know if you have seen them but here are 2 threads that are related:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ital-tach.html

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...er-sender.html

I have most of the parts to build the tach I plan to add some other sensors and a data logger

Mark

 

Thanks for the links, I hadn't come across them before. I like the idea of using the original sensor body, cool stuff.

That Arduino's got me thinking.. Can't believe I hadn't thought of it before, but that would be the perfect way to get a custom dash built! I've been mulling the idea of of replacing all the factory idiot lights around in my head, but hadn't really thought of a way to do it. The Arduino is perfect! And it could be a pretty slick install, too. I like programming the chip on the Uno, then moving it over to a breadboard. Only takes a few $$ worth of components to get one of those running as long as USB isn't important. Hmm.. You've given me something interesting to ponder on the way to work...

 

I have added this data-logger:
https://www.adafruit.com/product/1141

with a little programming and an SD card you could keep a running tab on pressures, temperatures and voltages any where on the truck I still have to buy the sensors and install and do the programming.

Mark

 

Hey quick note you can use a input or output speed sensor from a Ford 5R55 transmission with a little grinding with a scruffy pad on a angle air grinder. Remove the bolt lug and o ring grove size it to fit and depth. Did it with one from local transmission shop. Cost for a used one zero. Plus you can save your vomit. LOL

 

5R55 turbine speed sensor installed

 

Wait, so you just thread the plastic?

 

Almost any mag pickup will work for this, I made up a couple a few years back for spares and now cant find the dang things. The GM sensor you used is same unit used on my FI conversion on the sandrail, Adapted one to a mulch grinder for an old guy that couldnt bear to pay the oem 200 for a flywheel sensor. Salesman was dissing it saying it wont be durable, or accurate, nothing is durable when a limb peels it off,lol. Been working for him for 5 yrs, same one, smaller target for the sticks and other things

 

So just cut the threads in the plastic?

 

Here's more:

Guide: DIY Tachometer Sender