Tach/MSD issues

Scott S · Scott S's Garage

The Colorado group went on an outing this past Saturday - it was killer - except for the fact that the tach in my 72 just stopped working! I am running a 6A MSD with the appropriate adapter. As the car gets to top temp, the tach used to bounce a bit. I was told by those in the know that my wiring was to "neat" (bundled to tightly). I had yet to fix that. Is it possible to burn up a tach or perhaps the adapter? Is the MSD just not a good fit for running the stock guage? Any help is greatly apreciated!
Scott S
Denver, Co

[This message has been edited by Scott Schroeder (edited 09-30-2001).]

Bee Jay · 09-30-2001, 01:03 PM

My stock tach bounces all over the place with just the pertronix ignitor and blue coil. I want to run a MSD 5 or 6 box, but this tach issue keeps comming up. I also want to convert my car to a six someday. I think I will do like Steve Malmzx and replace my tach with an Auto Meter monster tach. Supposedly it fits right into the stock location. I only have to figure out where to put my hi beam and turn indicators. Steve, can you share any details of your tach conversion. I run an MSD box in my Vette with no tach issues. What's up?
Bee Jay
A picture of my car
http://www.pelicanparts.com/swapmeet_pics/GermanAutoFest-01/Pic481.jpg

[This message has been edited by Bee Jay (edited 09-30-2001).]

John Rogers · 09-30-2001, 06:20 PM

The Autometer recall type monster tach will infact fit into the stock tach space. In my race car I did not worry about the turn signal and high beam indicators but left the lights behind the dash. If it were a road car you could drill three holes for the lights nect to the tach and put them there. I had the same trouble with my MSD wires wrapped too tightly and the MSD tech support said to loosen them up so I have them in a very large sleeve and have had no more troubles. The voltage at some points is over 300 I think so there is lots of EMF generated. Good luck.

CGNJ · 10-01-2001, 04:26 AM

I run a msd6a with pertonix on my 76 2.0 I do not use the tach adapter. Anyone interested in a MSD Tach adapter cheap?

Carlos

DSPTurtle · 10-01-2001, 05:01 AM

Do you actually need to use a tach adapter? I just installed the Pertronix and can't believe that difference. I am hearing that the addition of a "6A" will actually make more of a difference. Is it an easy install? Do you really need that tach adapter thing? ANything else I should keep in mind?

Bee Jay · 10-01-2001, 07:04 AM

Carlos, what coil are you running?
Bee Jay

Scott S · Scott S's Garage

I am still using a good old blue coil, but it is my understanding that when using the MSD that the coil voltage is greatly increased and therefore you cannot run the tach to the coil like normal. Carlos, are you saying you are using an MSD, no tach adapter and running the tach off of the coil?
-s

CGNJ · 10-01-2001, 01:43 PM

I am currently running Dells, a 205 distributor, Pertonix, and MSD 6A without the tach adaptor. I have put over 12K miles with the MSD and my tach still works. I run the tach off of the stock coil terminal. I have also run with a 050 (when I was stuggling with the webers) in this configuration. If you use a 050 or 009 get Pertronix part number 1847A which is the use specific part for 050 and 009 distribtors. If I had known that the adaptor was not required, I would have plunked more money down on the MSD and went for more features.

HTH,
Carlos