What kind of tach do you have and how do you hook it up?

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  • DBX11
    258 I6
    • May 18, 2009
    • 284

    What kind of tach do you have and how do you hook it up?

    Trying to dial my timing in with the skills I have but I have none so how about some input from the fsj guru's. I see the tach input connection on the coil but that makes me wonder even more questions so my question is what type of tach do I need for tuning this rig and how do I use it.
  • Cappicaper
    232 I6
    • Oct 27, 2008
    • 232

    #2
    I am glad you asked this. I have been wondering what other people have been doing.
    78 Wagoneer, 401, Turbo400, QT, Posi Rear, 4" lift, 33X10.5 BFG
    69 Gladiator, Buick 350, T18, 14B, 44HD, Cross-over HIgh Steer, Hydroboost, 6" Lift, QR78 Buckshots
    63 CJ5, 302 Ford

    Owner Buckstop Truckware, Inc
    www.buckstop.biz

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    • DBX11
      258 I6
      • May 18, 2009
      • 284

      #3
      Yeah I've been trying it with a vacuum gauge and timing light and a borrowed foot since my parking break only works on flat ground but I think the tach may just help me get it right or at least ill know if I'm sitting at the correct rpm

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      • El_Diablo
        350 Buick
        • Apr 06, 2009
        • 1110

        #4
        i have a cheapy sunpro, $30 and it is plenty accurate for my needs, made by snap on actually.... i just hooked mine up the the negative wire right at the coil
        1985 Grand Wagoneer-360/727/229/D44/AMC20

        2011 Mazdaspeed 3
        2012 Focus
        2000 Camaro
        1995 Mustang
        2009 GSXR-600

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        • jeeper54
          350 Buick
          • May 25, 2009
          • 929

          #5
          I use a simple hand held dwell/tach. Have 1 for many years and another one that came in an Equus Tune Up Kit I bought at Harbor Freight. Sat for a long time until I got this Waggy. Simply connect battery clamp and coil (dist/-) clamp with an adapter - I use a paper clip - and thats it. I also block the wheels because 650 rpm in drive can override a weak/out of adjustment parking brake easy. On my 91 Montero I can access the computer trouble codes with the dwell/tach.
          Currently without
          Formerly
          1986 G.W. 360
          1986 Eagle Wag
          1985 G.W. 360
          1984 Eagle Wag
          1981 Wag 360
          1978 Wag 401
          1981 Cherk W/T 258
          1966 Wag Super 327
          Not counying XJs'.
          [Did have a 94 & more recently a '97 GC with 5.2. for awhile. Just not the same! Now have the FSJ blues!

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          • 91G-Dub
            360 AMC
            • Aug 21, 2004
            • 2702

            #6
            Originally posted by El_Diablo
            i have a cheapy sunpro, $30 and it is plenty accurate for my needs, made by snap on actually.... i just hooked mine up the the negative wire right at the coil
            That's what I have in the Junkyard Dog. Works well enough for what I need. Just 1 wire from negative side of coil and 1 from headlight switch so it lights up after dark.

            91G-Dub = Bill Houston

            1979/1980 J-10 Junkyard Dog 258 4 speed D44 front AMC 20 rear 3.31 Lincoln Locker Status Running
            1991 Grand Wagoneer Gray Ghost (bone stock) STATUS Gone but not forgotten

            "The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time, with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
            It is its natural manure."

            Thomas Jefferson

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            • iroc86
              258 I6
              • Oct 24, 2003
              • 268

              #7
              I can attest to both tach solutions for tuning, either a cheap dash-mounted unit or a handheld tach/dwell meter. I prefer the handheld version because it's right in the engine bay and isn't permanent (I used to have a Sunpro tach in my '89 GW and it looked terribly out of place).

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              • El_Diablo
                350 Buick
                • Apr 06, 2009
                • 1110

                #8
                my sunpro is in my glove box, out of the way and only visible when i want it to be which is very rare
                1985 Grand Wagoneer-360/727/229/D44/AMC20

                2011 Mazdaspeed 3
                2012 Focus
                2000 Camaro
                1995 Mustang
                2009 GSXR-600

                Comment

                • DBX11
                  258 I6
                  • May 18, 2009
                  • 284

                  #9
                  Pic

                  Got a pic of the harbor freight tach. They just built a store 10 miles from me! If not what should I be looking for as far as connections like clamps or probes something of that nature?

                  Comment

                  • tgreese
                    • May 29, 2003
                    • 11682

                    #10
                    I use the tach from a dwell meter I've had for years.

                    This one is typical - mine is not exactly like this but similar.




                    Lots of these listed on eBay.

                    I recall the black wire goes to ground and the green wire goes to the switched side (-) of the coil primary. Not very complicated.
                    Last edited by tgreese; 07-06-2010, 02:11 PM.
                    Tim Reese
                    Maine beekeeper's truck: '77 J10 LWB, 258/T15/D20/3.54 bone stock, low options (delete radio), PS, hubcaps.
                    Browless and proud: '82 J20 360/T18/NP208/3.73, Destination ATs, 7600 GVWR
                    Copper Polly: '75 CJ-6, 304/T15, PS, BFG KM2s, soft top
                    GTI without the badges: '95 VW Golf Sport 2000cc 2D
                    ECO Green: '15 FCA Jeep Cherokee KL Trailhawk

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                    • Warmachine
                      258 I6
                      • Dec 22, 2006
                      • 400

                      #11
                      I go for the low cost Sunpro style as well. Actually bought a spare just for under hood work.

                      The regular one is mounted to the steering column just like most do (glove box works too though). The second one I fitted with alligator clips (from radio shack) on the power, ground, and signal wires so I can use it as a hand held unit under the hood.
                      Mike Wood
                      Resident alien and thread killer!

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                      • DBX11
                        258 I6
                        • May 18, 2009
                        • 284

                        #12
                        Thanks

                        Thanks for all the replies, ill buy one in a few days.

                        Comment

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