Classic Mustangs (Tech) Technical discussions about the Mustangs of yester-year.

68 tach

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Old Sep 27, 2009 | 12:00 AM
  #1  
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Default 68 tach

I was wondering how to wire up a tach since my 68 mustang didnt come with one. I've looked for a little while and a lot of people make it seem very difficult. Can anyone explain how to?
Old Sep 27, 2009 | 12:37 AM
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Do you have a full size ~5" tach to mount that is aftermarket or a stock one? I think the stock ones have an issue that if a fuse or wire goes out to the tach the ignition stops and you're dead in the water. If you have an aftermarket I would follow their instructions for wiring seperate from the other gauges.
Here's the wiring schematics for '68 you might study these.
http://hammar.dyndns.org/~djhamma/wiring/1968/
Jon
Old Sep 27, 2009 | 01:03 AM
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I'd recommend picking up an aftermarket tach designed to go in the clock hole. I hacked a 60's CJ tach into my clock hole years ago and I love it, but the newer aftermarket deals are affordable and easier to install.
Old Sep 27, 2009 | 09:03 AM
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The factory tach requires you use the entire cluster, even the case was different. There factory style wiring makes it a lot easier, but costs a lot, and it is possible to modify the stock wiring if you are good with wiring.

I have installed the tach that replaces the clock (or clock blank) and it's darn nice, installs very quickly (the job took under an hour) and looks and works great.

Old Sep 27, 2009 | 11:01 AM
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I was thinking about getting the 5" tach or putting a tach where the clock is. 2+2 GT how much did it cost for you to do yours?
Old Sep 27, 2009 | 11:19 AM
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I think you can get the tach for under $90. Look on ebay, you'll find one.
Old Sep 27, 2009 | 11:38 AM
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Originally Posted by dterry68
I was thinking about getting the 5" tach or putting a tach where the clock is. 2+2 GT how much did it cost for you to do yours?
Not my car, I just installed it. IIRC, it runs about $100. Absolutely brilliant quality, looks even better in person than the photos suggest.

Old Sep 27, 2009 | 05:11 PM
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You can also get an 8k version, last I checked.
Old Sep 27, 2009 | 05:51 PM
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Originally Posted by Starfury
You can also get an 8k version, last I checked.
We thought about that, and decided the numbers are closer together, and the useful (how often do you go to 8, or even 7?) sweep is less, with the 8000. We were putting it in so the owner wouldn't blow up the engine (again). We figured if the gauge only went to 6, the 390 would be more likely to survive.
Old Sep 28, 2009 | 04:35 AM
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A simple aftermarket tach is not that difficult to install. One wire goes to ground, one goes to the coil, one goes to the ignition switch, and one goes to illumination.

I can't stand those "monster" tachs. The only way I would have one is if it was actually in a drag car.

If I had a 67-68, I would definitely have the tach that fits the provision for the clock.

For 65-66, I like the rally pack.

I have this small tach the looks vintage that suits the car really well.

http://www.jcwhitney.com/ILLUMINATED...;0;0;2008960;0

Here it is in my car.


Last edited by tx65coupe; Sep 28, 2009 at 04:38 AM.



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