So do guys think a "period" tach would look out of place in a stock F4 interior? I know these trucks were never intended to go very fast, but it would be nice to know what kind of revs the engine is turning at a given speed.

 

I know I've debated about finding one to put in my F-3, just uncertain what a "period" tach would actually be

 

I have a tach I got out of '51-52 F-7 dump truck in a junk yard. It was period correct, or least I think it is, it's a six volt unit. I'll try to post a picture of it tomorrow. I am planning on mounting it in my panel.

 

Irondragon: Yeah, I'm not sure what "period correct" tach would be either for a '48 Ford. I was just thinking something other than a 6" monster tach strapped to the column. haha

bobj49f2: I'd like to see that tach you have if you don't mind posting it.

I was thinking last night that I might could fab up a bracket that would allow me to mount the tach to the bottom of the dash and then "swing" it up behind the dash so you wouldn't see it could be a possiblity.

 

David,

Here's the tach I have. It's a Sun unit. Like I said I found this unit on a '51-52 F-7 dump truck. The transmitter is a Model EB. The inside of the transmitter is junk but I think I could rig up a transmitter using modern components. If nothing else, if I can't get it to work it will look good just strapped to the steering column or bolted to the dash.

 

Oh that's nice Bob. I think that would look really good mounted in the truck. One thing you might could do is send the tach to gauge restorer. Maybe they could put some updated internals in the tach instead of having to use the transmitter.

I sent my gauge cluster to Clawson Classic Instrumentation to be restored and updated. Admittedly I've converted (or I should say converting) to a 12v system, but he is going to clean and calibrate the speedo, amp and fuel gauges and upgrade the internals of the oil and temp gauges to work with newer sending units in the '88 302 I have.

 

Those Sun tachs are worth big $$$$ to the HAMB boys, you could retire, Bob!!

 

Really? I know where some branny new ones are.

Ford also sold accessory tachs for the cars & trucks in the 1960's. Some were marketed under the Rotunda brand, some are shown in the 1961/68 hipo parts catalogs, but all of these are actually SUN tachs.

Some have crossed flags on the face. All these various tachs have been reproduced, look in some of the various Mustang aftermarket parts catalogs to see what they look like.

Look in Hemmings Motor News (hemmings.com) under Ford Parts for sale. These tachs are pictured.

 

Ross, really, hmmm, I paid $25 for it a couple of years ago. How much to you think I could get for it?

I was surprised to get it for $25. The guy who owned the yard thought everything he had was worth it's weight in gold but for some reason he accepted my offer of $25. It was in a truck that was complete so it wasn't sitting out in the elements. The inside of the transmitter box is all goobered up but I have a diagram for the transmitter and it doesn't look like it would be too hard to replicate something using modern electronics. Like I said, even if I can't get it to work it would look cool just mounted inside my truck.