Tachometer Installation

**mockingbird812** · #1 10-02-2007, 02:34 AM

Am hooking up a vintage Stewart Warner Tach to a Plymouth with a dual point distributor. The sending unit which is attached to the back of the tach is for a 4 cylinder engine. Is this the type of sender I need for dual points? Thanks.

**SuperNovaSS** · #2 10-02-2007, 02:44 AM

Is is a dual pickup coil? If it is, then yes. If not, I don't think so unless you could somehow isolate one set of points.

Jason

**SuperNovaSS** · #3 10-02-2007, 02:50 AM

I never tried this but I am sure I will someday. The old Dixco tachs have 2 resistors on the back of them. If both resistors are intact than the tach works for 8 cylinders. Remove one resistor and it is for a 6 cylinder. Remove the other and it is a 4 cylinder reading. I would think if you could find the specs on these resistors and run them in line before the 4 cylinder sender that it would come up with the correct 8 cylinder reading on the tach. This may also work on a transistorized tach with no sending unit with the wrong configuration for the application. This would save you a costly sending unit or trip to a gauge shop. If you try it let me know how it works. If you don't, let me knwo and I will try it. If you need the ohm reading from one of the dixco resistors let me know.

Jason

**mockingbird812** · #4 10-02-2007, 04:09 AM

Thanks Jason. Not sure if it is a dual pick up coil. Would it have to be if there are 2 sets of points? Here are pix of the tach....

**SuperNovaSS** · #5 10-02-2007, 04:12 AM

Looks familiar

. does the ignition system use a dual pickup or single pickup coil? Those 4 cylinder senders were typically used on the dual pickup systems on one set of points for 8 cylinders.

Jason

**mockingbird812** · #6 10-02-2007, 04:18 AM

Sounds like I need a 8 cylinder sender. Got one?

thanks!

m22mike · #7 10-02-2007, 04:24 AM

Neat Tach.............

Mike A

**SuperNovaSS** · #8 10-02-2007, 04:27 AM

Not at the moment. Want to try the resistor idea? It will cost virtually nothing and I bet it will work!
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Jason

**SuperNovaSS** · #9 10-02-2007, 04:30 AM

Sam,

What Camera do you have? I read quite a few reveiws online and ended up buying a Canon 570. I hate it. It will not take close ups like that. I think I will get a new one and the Canon will be my trip Camera.

Jason

**mockingbird812** · #10 10-02-2007, 05:47 AM

Jason,

Give me the details on the "resistor idea". I'll bet your canon 570 has a "macro" setting. This is used for close ups. The universal symbol is a flower. Check it before buying a new one. My camera is a Panasonic "Lumix". It's about 18 mos. old and is, I think, about 3.2 megapixels. Nice small unit to throw in your pocket or strap on the belt for the "geek" look.

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