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Tachometer hook up question

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chad

Senior Member
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Hello,

I received this message from the guy working on my 65 midet.

" RAN THE CABLE THRU THE FIREWALL AND THEN TRIED TO HOOKUP THE TACH, IT SEEMS THE DASH TACH DOES NOT HAVE A HOOKUP FOR A CABLE. IT IS SET UP WITH ONLY ONE WIRE, I DO NOT THINK IT IS THE CORRECT ONE FOR THIS CAR."

And I wasn't sure what the exact hookup on a correct tach for my year looks like. I was pretty sure it was the correct one, was with the car when i purchased it, and i actually sent off my tach and speedometer to be rebuilt when i first purchased the car back in 2000. I got them back and refinished the dash, and put the guages in the dash, and then put it away for all these years till just recently when i finally got around to getting my car put back together. So basically i'm not sure if the tach i have is correct, and i am waiting on some pictures of it and to get the model number off the faceplate. (my car and the guy working on it, are in another state than i am, so its not a quick run out and look). Any help on describing what the connection should look like and maybe what the correct model smiths tach is correct for my model. I'm reading that this is an electronic tach, so how exactly does it hook up, thanks, and sorry for the stupid questions, lol

My midget is a MKII 1965, roll up window first year, thanks,
 
The 65 should have a black face electric tach (positive ground)
It has a single green wire to a spade connector on the back but it also has a white wire that makes a loop around a "U" shaped terminal.
And of course the ground on the knurled nut.
 
Re: Tachometer hook up question, ele ignition

George, thanks for the link.

I need some advice. Here is a quick run down of my problem. My 65' midget is a complete ground up restoration. Engine is original 1098 that i had rebuilt by Motorhead LTD. out of Fairfax Virgina. Guy that is doing my restoration for me went to hook up the tach for the first time and came across my problem of the electronic tach. I have a complete new wiring harness installed, and my tach doesn't currently have the loop installed. Past that, i switched my car over to the 25D Supreme Ignition package from Advanced Distributors. It has the lucas distributor modded with all electronic ignition components. And from what i am reading, this will effect my rvi tachs operation.

My questions are, how is it best to proceed at this point? My car is positive earth. Also had this question from my car guy " WHY DO WE HAVE A GENERATOR SET UP FOR A TACH DRIVE WITH CABLE AND ADAPTER, I WONDER IF THEY USED THE SAME GENERATOR ON CABLE DRIVE TACHS AS WELL AS ELECTRIC TACHS?"

I checked out that link to speedy cables, and it mentions that if you switch to electronic ignition and sports coil, that you can send your rvi tach to them to convert it to run with these set ups? What has to be done to the tach to make it work with my setup? do i need to switch to negative earth? Sorry for so many questions, i just need to get this figured out asap. thanks, chad
 
Re: Tachometer hook up question, ele ignition

Generators are the same but for the rear plate and the armature for the mech. drive tac hook up.
 
Re: Tachometer hook up question, ele ignition

I finally have a general grip on my situation, after finding a good document that describes the converting of tachs to be able to use the electronic ignition system. Looks like i can either have my tach modded by a professional, or i can switch back to the points distributor system. Any other ideas would be appreciated. Thanks for everyone's help.
 
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