Notices
1961 - 1966 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Slick Sixties Ford Truck

Installing a Tachometer?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 28, 2008 | 07:44 PM
  #1  
matt2491's Avatar
matt2491
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
15 Year Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 773
Likes: 1
Installing a Tachometer?

'64 F100, stock 292 with headers and Pertronix electronic ignition.

I was wondering if there is a relatively easy way for me to buy and install a tach in my truck. I'd like to see what kind of RPM's I'm spinning at different times when I'm driving as well as for testing/calibration purposes.

Questions:
- Where/who can I buy a tachometer that will work for my application from?
- Is it difficult to install? How does it work?
 
Reply
Old May 28, 2008 | 08:20 PM
  #2  
bigblockford_390's Avatar
bigblockford_390
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 930
Likes: 0
From: East Helena MT
You can pick a tach up at any auto parts house or through mail order.

There are 4 wires to hook up, one to ground which I believe is a black wire. One to keyed power which should be red. One to go to your light switch which should be white and the last wire goes to the negative terminal on your coil which should be a green wire.

All tachs to my knowledge come pre-set to run on V-8 engines, how ever if your reading is way off, just pull the back cover off and there is a little switch to select 4 6 or 8 cylinders.

Jeff
 
Reply
Old May 28, 2008 | 08:31 PM
  #3  
matt2491's Avatar
matt2491
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
15 Year Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 773
Likes: 1
Great, thanks for the info!

Approximately how much does a decent one cost?
 
Reply
Old May 28, 2008 | 10:08 PM
  #4  
billy12360's Avatar
billy12360
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 978
Likes: 1
From: darrington wash
i payed 50 dollars for one from shucks... but im still havent hooked it up yet...

and, they usually come set for 6 cylinders i thought... right in the middle of the 2...

the one i got from shucks, the switch was on the out side of the cover anyways...

also, there are instructions in the package if you get them new usually...
 
Reply
Old May 28, 2008 | 11:48 PM
  #5  
jhooch's Avatar
jhooch
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,518
Likes: 3
From: Spokane, WA
Club FTE Gold Member
I use an Autometer unit mounted on the steering column, works great. Look at the pic in my gallery. Tach's are pretty much universal. I like Autometer's stuff, good quality.
 
Reply
Old May 29, 2008 | 12:05 PM
  #6  
NumberDummy's Avatar
NumberDummy
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 783
From: Simi Valley, CA
Club FTE Gold Member
Ford offered several tachs (6 or 8 grand) as an option on the cars of the 1960's, these can be mounted on the steering column, or the dash.

Some have been reproduced, and are available from Mustang repro parts suppliers.

The "Rally-Pacs" Mustangs had (as an option) in 1965/66 were (and are) very popular because besides a tach, it also has a clock.

These are made strictly for the steering column, are made so the gauges aren't hidden, so the tach & clock are smaller in diameter.

The way the setup was designed, the clock is on the right, the tach on the left.

There are several tachs for these Rally Pacs...one is 6 grand (used mostly on 6 bangers), t'other is 8 grand.

Ford also offered a clock that mounted to the dash.
 
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:17 PM.

story-0
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-2
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-3
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-6
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE
story-7
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!

Slideshow: Ranking the 5 things owners love about their Super Duty and 5 things they don't

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:36:49


VIEW MORE
story-8
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!

Slideshow: Ranking all 12 Ford truck engines available in 2026.

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 13:32:20


VIEW MORE
story-9
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)

Slideshow: The best Ford F-150 deal for every trim level (XL through Raptor)

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-21 15:59:01


VIEW MORE