tachometer ...
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 119
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From: Davison
tachometer ...
I was wondering what the advatages are of having a Tach. Would it be hard to hook one up in my '78 351m? Will i be able to adjust my carb alot better? What is a cheap tach? i found an 11,000 rpm on summit for 51.00+S&H. or should i go with an 8,000. thanks for your opinions
Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 25
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From: Sullivan
tachometer ...
I have an autogauge tach,it goes to 8 thou and the only thing I like about mine is you know exactly what your running. This helps if your shadetree like me and dont have a timing light.Or just a kid and racking your pipes under the influence saves from those tiny holes you get in your oil pan,darn I hate it when that happens.It is really easy to hook one up.One wire goes to your tach terminal on your distributer, one goes to your dash lighting so you can turn it down with your reostat switch,and one goes to ground,the last of all goes to your ignition switch.Mine cost about 35 or 40 bucks,granite its a big black tach with illumination. It's been good to me and it's gauranteed.You may want a shiny one but I look at mine alot pulling trailers,as if I care the RPM's.Ha HA I hope Ive been of some service.
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 3,862
Likes: 5
From: Beachville, Ontario
tachometer ...
I have an 8000 rpm chrome Autogage on the left side of my column. Really easy to hook up, I hooked the power & light wires into the factory radio socket and the ground went to a screw behind the instrument panel. I found it easiest to do the wiring with the instrument panel removed. The signal wire get spliced into the negative terminal on the ignition coil, this is marked with a "TACH" and arrow on the factory coil connector.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
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From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
tachometer ...
Jerrod, There are no advantages of having a tach in a vehicle that you are not racing. They are a nice little gadget to have to look at. Both of my Taurus have them in the dash, and I have a Sunpro in one of my trucks. I agree with the 6000 rpm tach, I'll take mine past 4000, but only to 4500. At 3800 rpms it has run past all of the numbers on the dash anyway, and that is getting in the nose bleed area. 
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Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,619
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From: Albuquerque
tachometer ...
A vacuum gauge might be more usefull if your not racing the engine.
Warning!
Gauges are addictive! I started with a vacuum gauge and now have 6 gauges including a three way temp unit. You might want to plan ahead. Auto Meter and Auto Gauge are good units.
Bear Tracks
Warning!
Gauges are addictive! I started with a vacuum gauge and now have 6 gauges including a three way temp unit. You might want to plan ahead. Auto Meter and Auto Gauge are good units.Bear Tracks
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Junior User
Joined: Jul 2001
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From: U.S.A.
tachometer ...
I have a sunpro 8000 rpm tach and it costs about 50 bucks. I wouldn't go with anything less then a 7000 rpm tach. I run my stock 360 to 6200 rpm's and my mild performance 460 to 7300 rpm's. You never want to burry the tach so get one with enough # on it 
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
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From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
tachometer ...
Andy, Why are you turning the ol FE so hard. It is way out of it's power band at those Rs. You are doing nothing but straining it's guts out. Try running it without turning over 4500 and see what results you have. One of the guys with the desk dino can show you the power curve.
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Elder User
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 997
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From: Corydon US of A
tachometer ...
John, well even though it would be more helpful in racing, i think it is also helpful to have one for every Truck, its nice to find shift points, and if you know your peak RPM Torque then u can use that to your advantage too. I have a Autoguage that reads to 8 grand, its nice, but i've never had it past 4300. the ol M just doesnt sound like it wants to do anymore.
Dave
Dave
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 0
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tachometer ...
So why not find a full sweep 5000 rpm tach with smaller increments,
Instead of a 8000Rpm 3/4 -full sweep with larger increments.
Dennis https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/sizeimage.php?&photoid=1733&.jpg
Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions,
"I'm Saving My Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's"
78 F-150 429CJ,Silver, Explorer Pkg.
641/2-Mustang 260,Pre-World's Fair Car.
64-Fairlane500 S/C waiting for a 390-4spd.
68-Mustang 289-Sunlit Gold 80,892Mi
78-Buick LeSabre 403 4V
84 Volvo DL Wagon
Instead of a 8000Rpm 3/4 -full sweep with larger increments.
Dennis https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/sizeimage.php?&photoid=1733&.jpg
Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions,
"I'm Saving My Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's"
78 F-150 429CJ,Silver, Explorer Pkg.
641/2-Mustang 260,Pre-World's Fair Car.
64-Fairlane500 S/C waiting for a 390-4spd.
68-Mustang 289-Sunlit Gold 80,892Mi
78-Buick LeSabre 403 4V
84 Volvo DL Wagon
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 0
Likes: 24
tachometer ...
Here !
http://www.performance-gauges.com/streettacmin.html
http://www.datcon.com/Tables/HDAsp-ta1.htm
Dennis https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/sizeimage.php?&photoid=1733&.jpg
Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions,
"I'm Saving My Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's"
78 F-150 429CJ,Silver, Explorer Pkg.
641/2-Mustang 260,Pre-World's Fair Car.
64-Fairlane500 S/C waiting for a 390-4spd.
68-Mustang 289-Sunlit Gold 80,892Mi
78-Buick LeSabre 403 4V
84 Volvo DL Wagon
http://www.performance-gauges.com/streettacmin.html
http://www.datcon.com/Tables/HDAsp-ta1.htm
Dennis https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/sizeimage.php?&photoid=1733&.jpg
Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions,
"I'm Saving My Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's"
78 F-150 429CJ,Silver, Explorer Pkg.
641/2-Mustang 260,Pre-World's Fair Car.
64-Fairlane500 S/C waiting for a 390-4spd.
68-Mustang 289-Sunlit Gold 80,892Mi
78-Buick LeSabre 403 4V
84 Volvo DL Wagon