Tachometer for my model A

[Apperloo]

Be nice to use one for a day to get the feel of the rpms, then I would be fine without.....need something temporary

[McMimmcs]

Originally Posted by 31 Woody

Not trying to be critical or funny, but why would I want a tach in a Model A? I have one in my Mustang Cobra, which does redline at 7,000...been there many times in fact. But the Model A just does not make sense to push and the actual RPMs do not seem important. Is this a curiousity being satisfied?

Ditto !

[Apperloo]

Originally Posted by Apperloo

Be nice to use one for a day to get the feel of the rpms, then I would be fine without.....need something temporary

Update: Found one for 24.00 cad, delivery in 3 days. like to get a feel for shift points and comfortable top speed. Really hilly where I live. A couple of runs and it'll go back in the box or installed on my tender

[denis4x4]

Had Classic Instruments build this for my A powered hot rod. Wasn’t cheap.

[30 Closed Cab PU]

Originally Posted by Apperloo

Update: Found one for 24.00 cad, delivery in 3 days. like to get a feel for shift points and comfortable top speed. Really hilly where I live. A couple of runs and it'll go back in the box or installed on my tender

X2. I temporarily installed a cheap battery Tach with a single lead installed around the coil wire, for the same reasons. Another reason is put it back on if I want to check/set the idle on the carb. It is just another experiment/toy/project for messing around with my A.

[katy]

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For temporary use one could get an inexpensive tach dwell meter:
https://www.amazon.com/dwell-tach-me...ell+tach+meter

[Aretino]

Laser tachs can be purchased on ebay for less than $20. Great for idle adjustments.

[Apperloo]

Tach arrived. 2 minute temporary install.
Anyone point me in the right direction on proper idle rpm, top safe rpm, etc?
Does not allow me to search threads for 3 letter words
Thanks,
Leo

[shew01]

Hmmm... That’s odd. I searched for “idle speed” using the iPhone Tapatalk app and a laptop browser, and I didn’t find much on this forum, although I do recall this subject being discussed multiple times.

My car idles well around 500 RPM. If I recall correctly, the more senior folks on this forum have warned in the past about setting the lowest possible idle speed (maybe 300 RPM or so?) because of potential harm to the engine, but I don’t recall the specifics.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[rocket1]

Originally Posted by 31 woody

not trying to be critical or funny, but why would i want a tach in a model a? I have one in my mustang cobra, which does redline at 7,000...been there many times in fact. But the model a just does not make sense to push and the actual rpms do not seem important. Is this a curiousity being satisfied?

you took the words right out of my mouth,why? Just another toy?

[denis4x4]

Originally Posted by 31 Woody

Not trying to be critical or funny, but why would I want a tach in a Model A? I have one in my Mustang Cobra, which does redline at 7,000...been there many times in fact. But the Model A just does not make sense to push and the actual RPMs do not seem important. Is this a curiousity being satisfied?

It's fun to watch the expression on an A owner's face when you run the tach to 3500 RPM on the chassis dyno. Too, ask your passenger to keep an eye on the oil pressure gauge while you're driving.

[kenparker0703]

Yes, Rocket1, it is curiosity being satisfied. But fun to watch when you are playing with it in the shop. Trying to get idle down to 2 -300 rpm and listhe to it go chuck......chuck.....chuck.............chuckity... ..chuck.

[Apperloo]

I realize a tach does not matter, but it gives me some references I can use on the hills etc. Held in place with an elastic band, it will removed in a few weeks. I believe I have low geared rear-end
Anyway, I found this:

[shew01]

Originally Posted by Apperloo

I realize a tach does not matter, but it gives me some references I can use on the hills etc. Held in place with an elastic band, it will removed in a few weeks. I believe I have low geared rear-end
Anyway, I found this:

That is the tach that I have in my car. It’s a simple hookup.

For me, it’s useful to see if I’m pushing the engine too hard, and it’s useful to confirm the engine is still running as I come to a stop. (Model A’s make a lot of noise. Sometimes it’s hard to determine what is engine noise and what is drive train noise when coming to a stop. The tach helps with that.) It was also helpful in setting the idle speed.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[AL in NY]

A few years ago I found a 50's vintage Sun Tach that looks like it was made for the Model A. Here's is photo:

[Apperloo]

Not able to get the rpms up past 1400 or so in first, easy over 2000 in second and runs out power around 1600 in 3rd.
New plugs, condenser and points. Compression was around 40 in #2, and 48 in the other cylinders if I recall correctly.
Where do I need to start looking?

[katy]

Check fuel flow.

[Apperloo]

Originally Posted by katy

Check fuel flow.

How do I check flow. Is it possible the carb is gunked up from sitting 20+ years? It idles and revs fine.

[kajnhedge]

I wanted a tach because I have a columbia 2 speed rear end and I wanted to make sure it was shifing

[Tom Endy]

This is an old post. I posted to it years ago and since then I installed one in my Victoria for no other reason than I could. We also installed one in my grandson's 30 Tudor restoration. Attached is a story about the one in the Victoria.

https://www.santaanitaas.org/wp-cont...Tachometer.pdf

Tom Endy