Tachometer Question (Again)
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From: Ypsilanti
Tachometer Question (Again)
I have found an instrument cluster with a tachometer for my 1991 F150, 4.9, 5 spd. which came without a tach. The cluster is from the same year as my truck. My question is: will a factory tach from a V8 work with an I6? If not is there a way to calibrate it? Thanks.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: -
Tachometer Question (Again)
If you look at aftermarket tachs they all come with some sort of dial on the back that you turn to 4,6, or 8 for number of cylinders. The tach is usually triggered of one cylinder, so if you have six, there will be a shorter delay than the 8 for the trigger time. Unless there is a calibration method for the tach I don't think it will "plug n play" in your new dash. :-(
New User
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Front Royal USA
Tachometer Question (Again)
I did the conversion on my 1990 XLT and it is indeed "olug and play." I kept the speedo from my standard (no tach) cluster (I didn't want to mess with the odometer on the tach cluster to match the reading on tmy truck) and swapped out all of the other gauges. You will have to notch the left and right side of your old speedo to get the new gauges to fit the notches. The rest is just a direct fit. As for the 6 cyl vs. 8 cyl, I am pretty sure you will be OK. I pretty sure the cluster I got from the salvage yard came from a truck w/the 4.9. Good luck. e-mail me at michael@glass.org if you run into any snags.
Mike
Mike
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From: Ypsilanti
Tachometer Question (Again)
Thanks guys for the posts. All the posts on this forum regarding the tach swap don't say one way or another if one tach will work with either engine--what is usually stressed is making sure that the year models were the same. I was lucky enough to find a cluster that was the same as my truck and thought that I was home free. I may just go ahead and risk it.
Marty
Marty
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From: arkansas
Tachometer Question (Again)
while we're on the subject....
I've got a 95 f150, 5.0/5 speed and it does not have a tachometer. I will have to swap the cluster cover (the clear plastic window) anyway, so is is possible to install a tach as well? I'm guessing I'll have to get the tach and the other part of the cluster as well.
I've got a 95 f150, 5.0/5 speed and it does not have a tachometer. I will have to swap the cluster cover (the clear plastic window) anyway, so is is possible to install a tach as well? I'm guessing I'll have to get the tach and the other part of the cluster as well.
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Senior User
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From: Ypsilanti
Tachometer Question (Again)
I found a post on the I6 forum in which a V8 cluster was swapped into an I6 truck with no problems--he says that the tach reads accurately. If this is the case my swap should be a piece of cake. I'm holding my breath.
Marty
Marty
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Tachometer Question (Again)
The gauge cluster for this generation of f-series has a wire which is grounded for a V8 and left unconnected (open) for a 6. The connection is made in the harness. That's how it tells whether you have a 6 or 8. Should work no prob.
