Factory Tachometer

DanSanDiego2000 · Post by **DanSanDiego2000** » August 30, 2006, 11:13 am

Hi everyone,
This is my first post on the new site..... impressive format, I like it.... I like it

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Anyone know the ins-and-outs of Ford Factory Tachometers and the parts and pieces necessary to install them?

I have recently purchased a factory tachometer, and want to use it in my '65 F100 Custom Cab. Since I already have the auxiliary gauges with the CC package, I will have to mount the tachometer and vacuum gauges under the dash. Or, come up with $2050 for the other style bezel on eBay (I won't hold my breath). Vacuum should be easy..... it's the tachometer that has me perplexed.

I have looked through 10,000 pages of options and parts on CD-ROM and DVD. Literally 10,000 pages in PDF.... and still don't see the details I need.

Okay, so I need a cable, but what is it going to hook to? I thought maybe a different distributor was available for tach drive.... but have not seen it. Thought maybe the cable for a speedo would be similar to the tach cable.... but no way to confirm.

The gauges seem so cool, and beneficial for my daily driven F100, but it's the details that I rely on my fellow Slicksters to fill-in.

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Dan

DV65CustomCab · Post by **DV65CustomCab** » August 30, 2006, 3:31 pm

Did you get the tach from a 'big' truck?
I'm pretty sure they are cable drive off the distributor.

cookster4495 · Post by **cookster4495** » August 30, 2006, 8:20 pm

I got the same dash with factory tach from an f-800 with cable drive ,,motor was missing but still thought it was neat,,,only tachs 4grd but hey,, its original looking larry

if you figure out a way to make it work ,,let me know

Garbz · Post by **Garbz** » August 31, 2006, 7:23 am

Simplest thing to do is take the guts out of an autometer modern unit and install it in the ford housing...set it on either 6 or 4 cyl and get it as close as possible.

Tach dizzy were installed in the 300 sixes Fes and super duty 544s in the F an N series

You may find one in a later louisville ford truck LN series with 429, 385 series engines. and these will fit a 351 clevland, Modified or the 385 series engines.

Garbz

DanSanDiego2000 · Post by **DanSanDiego2000** » August 31, 2006, 9:56 pm

Thanks for the responses so far. After I posted my question, I thought I got 'Bad News' from an expert on our trucks. He said that the only trucks with the tach option were the Big Trucks, F800 and so on. It was an option on Diesel, or so he said, and that explains the 4000 limit of the gauge. That would explain why I don't find a tach-drive distributor for my L6 240 cid engine. Except.... Garbz is saying F series with 300 cid had tach, too.

Garbz, what do you mean by "Tach dizzy were installed in the 300 sixes"?? I see these tachs available often, but so far, no answers on how to hook them up and spin them. Cables? Distributors?

Keep the thread going.... together we can figure out how to enhance our rides. Thanks.

Truckfarmer · Post by **Truckfarmer** » September 1, 2006, 7:39 am

I have removed several of these tachs from bigger trucks, F500, F600's. I have yet to see one with a diesel. All the ones I have gotten had the 330, 361, 391 FT engines. Their distributors can be made to fit a 352/390 engine by turning down the neck diameter. This would require a lathe.
RevNate had one he got from me that he was going to adapt to his Y-block. He recently had it for sale. Contact Nate to see how he did it or if it is still for sale.

Garbz · Post by **Garbz** » September 1, 2006, 8:04 am

The last tow rig i looked in, 65 F550 had a factory tach with a 300 six and bell mounts. The tach was cable driven off of the dizzy. Call NAPA an see i they list a cable tach for a 300 in a F450 F550.

Brian (iceman) should be able to provide more info on the tach drives.

Diesels run off the fuel injection pump a cable drive for the tach.

Garbz

DanSanDiego2000 · Post by **DanSanDiego2000** » September 1, 2006, 4:43 pm

I did call Napa, at your suggestion, and asked about a distributor for L6 300 cid, 65 F550..........
No listing.
1969 F450, F550 L6 300 cid.......
No listing.
I called another, asking them to look beyond the computers, and into the old printed parts books...........
No listings.
Only variations they had on distributors were Single or Dual Vacuum advance, or with or without Thermactor switch (or something to that effect). I know Napa to be good, and they go way beyond filters and plugs.... but no help on Dizzies/Distributors (I finally figured out that's what Garbz meant by dizzy).

Doesn't anyone have a factory tach in their Slick??

Dan

ICEMAN6166 · Post by **ICEMAN6166** » September 2, 2006, 12:42 pm

i have a few of the factory tachs, all from big trucks.i have not been able to come up with a dist. yet as all the trucks were engine deprived already.there are a couple different tachs in regards to the high end of the rpm scale.the other gauges that fit in the big trucks are air pressure and vaccuum. usually there was the tach on the right and either air or vac on the left side depending on brake style. the vac gauge is a nice addition as you can use it for setting carb and fuel economy.another gauge to watch drop as you put the pedal to the floor.

teamhaney · Post by **teamhaney** » July 9, 2007, 10:00 pm

I took one off a F800 too, thinking the distributor would work. It doesn't. I found a place in NM that would take the guts out of an electronic tach and put in the Borg Warner tach that fits the 65. It was about 200 bucks. I can find the number if you are interested.

DanSanDiego2000 · Post by **DanSanDiego2000** » July 9, 2007, 10:14 pm

Teamhaney,

Yes, I would be interested. Especially if the gauge reads accurately after the conversion. The idea of putting just any old electronic in there, and hoping for an okay-accurate reading seems far from desirable.

If you have the number, I'd like to know it.

Thanks.

Dan