Any body have any suggestions for a tachometer in a 51 truck that doesn't look too tacky? I was thinking of mounting something on the steering column. should I bother? Comments welcome and appreciated. Dave
Tachometer It depends on what you're running for an engine and what you want to do... If it's stock , VDO and Stewart Warner both make nice vintage look gauges , or try a Marine gauge as they don't look terribly modern . If your truck is still 6 volts , I'd think an old Sun Tach. would work from Flea-Bay but they need that big Bakelite box transmitter to function . I have a 235 and I can hear it's RPM range clearly in spite of substantial insulating of the cab .
Thanks Nate , Its a 235 58 -62 series. I have the dual carb ( carter webber) set up from Tom and am going to install the pertronics system. I also have the 3.55 rear end gearing installed. I wanted the tach to set up the idle and and make sure I don't over work the engine. I am under the impression that I should cruise at between 3000 and 3200 RPM. Dave
I run a mooneyes tach. it is nice chrome, with an old school sweep movement, mounted to the column between the guages.
For what your wanting you could use an old tach/dwell meter to get the information you want and forget about mounting something to the dash or column. I have an ancient one that I made up extra long leads for so they can be run out a window and under the rear of the hood. Once you get a reading in MPH at 3200 rpm it will stay that way forever unless you change gears or tire size. Also, a feeler gauge is worthless for setting points once the distributor has some time on it so you can use the dwell part for that purpose. I have neither the distributor cap or rotor on while spinning the engine with a good hot battery so points can be adjusted till the dwell is right on. If you have your tire HEIGHT with the truck weight on it and know your rear gear ratio you can figure the rpm easily if your speedometer is accurate.
How do you like the dual webers? I want to upgrade to 2x1 but was thinking the 2 webers would be too obivous. They make new Zenith 1-bbl carbs but I dont know the cost. I have a 2" Sun tac on the column that looks at home. It came on it, I would rather not have it but to take it off will leave a scratch on the column, considering the scratch make it worth while. If you install it put a ring of electrican tape under the clamp. You may want to take it off one day.
I like the webbers but to be fair I have not really driven the truck yet to test them. What I do like is they don't leak like the Rochesters did The truck started right up after I installed them and it is smooth. I also like the electric choke. One of the regular forum users provides some great installation pictures that helped me a great deal. Tom Langdon does as well. I may use my obsolete choke knob for turning my heat on and off once I get a valve in. Nate to your point on the tach dwell meter I will take your suggestion. I do have one of those. Question if I install the Pertronics ignition is dwell going to be important? Not sure yet how you set up the adjustment with the Pertronics system.
Pertronix Ignitor When using any typ of electronic ignition system there is no longer any ned to adjust the dwell . That is a function of the points only .
Thanks, thats what I thought, I guess in thinking about it, it was stupid question. I continue to have a few of these.
I Repeat : There are NO ' STUPID ' QUESTIONS ! . No one here is a magician nor Automotive Engineer so lighten up on yourself . Carry on then .
