Cable drive tach on 63

[gregaba]

I have a Moroso cable drive tach I used in my outlaw late model race car and would like to use it on the 63.
I did a search and could not find anything so I wondered if anyone is running this setup.
If so do you have any pictures on how you mounted the tach?
I could mount it on the hood  [I have the teardrop scope] or the dash.
I was wondering how people ran the tach cable to the inside of the car.
I really don't want to drill a hole in my dash.
Thanks
Greg

[BattlestarGalactic]

Yup, I've run a mechanical tach in the wagon since before I started racing it in 1995.

I never did make a real mount for it, as the black tape holding it to the steering column has worked for 25 yrs 

I removed the black plastic cover in the center of the dash and ran the cable through that area right to the tach on the column.  I'd like to make some kind of alum plate that has a clamp that goes around the column.  Little more "professional" then black tape.  But, like I said...it's been 25 yrs.   

I've seen 90* adapters in some old race cars that give you some leeway in mounting the tach and getting the cable attached.


I have some parts gathered up to put one on the blower car.  I'd mount it on the cowl or back of the blower?  It doesn't see rain, so moisture is not an issue.

Since the wagon is in the garage currently getting head gaskets, I can get a few pictures if you like and post them some time this week.

[gregaba]

Thanks for the reply
Pictures would be appreciated. I didn't consider the cowl but it seems like I remember some of the light weights in the 60's with the cowl mount.
This won't be a daily driver but it will get rained on but I think I can seal it with silicon. 
I will see if I can find one of those adapters on the net, it would help because I really don't want to kink the cable.
The black tape on yours is probably permanent now it has been on there so long so I would leave it.
By the way I love the way your car launches. Awesome as the kids say.
Greg 

[gt350hr]

   Greg ,
       I have a cable drive tach in my '66 GT350. It already had a dash mounted tach so I made a special aluminum mount to use the same location. I ran the cable through the speaker grill ( a spare that I modified) and out through the firewall in an existing hole. IIRC the speaker grill in a '63 is a ways away from you so you might want to follow the steering column and clamp the tach to it.
    Randy

[gregaba]

Hi Randy
I was trying to get the tach in the line of view or as close to that as I can.
The speaker grill entry would be OK on a mustang but like you say would be to far out of the line of sight. I really like to keep my eyes on the road when I get on it.
Had a slight accident in the 70's when I looked down at my tach and all most ran over a kid who jumped in front of my car.
I later found out that the local kids were doing this on purpose to show how brave they were.
Scared the crap out of me.
Greg 

[BattlestarGalactic]

I later found out that the local kids were doing this on purpose to show how brave they were.
Scared the crap out of me.
Greg

They do that today.  Arrogant little bastards are all they are.  Walking or riding their bike in the middle of the road just to make you stop/wait for them.  I'd got my azz whipped if I ever did that growing up.

[gregaba]

Yeah
The kid did get his butt whipped real good. His dad had to pay me &900.00 to fix the front end of my 55 Ford and pick his kid up at the police station.
The kid was about 12 years old and the police booked him and held him in a holding cell untill his dad picked him up.
Things were different in the 70's compared to today. If you yell at a kid today the DHS will take you to court for child abuse.
Greg

[gt350hr]

   You're right Greg . Even a 5" Moroso that far away is too far. It's gonna be tough without drilling holes ( which I hate to do). Out here in Long Beach we had Holman Moody- Stroppe and for the '68 Cobra Jets they made a bracket ( kinda like the Eiffel tower) that clamped to the column and shot the tach up to where it would be if screwed to the dash pad , right in the driver's line of sight. Then you would need the right angle adapter at the back of the tach to get over to the speaker grill. Just thinking out loud.
    Randy

[gregaba]

That is interested. I will go out and see what will have to be fabed up to make it work.
I guess I need to find out who sells one of those 90 degree adapters.
Greg

[cammerfe]

I only ever had a '63 for several weeks while I was waiting for my '65 Mustang to show up at the Dealer. But on my '64 Custom (same dash I think) I mounted my Sun Super on the bottom left corner of the speaker grille. It sat at an angle and was close enough to my line of sight as to work just fine.

I put a Jones cable-drive tach in my '72 Pinto/460 car using a Mallory tach-drive diz. That one was on the dash with a mount I cobbled from a piece of aluminum plate. Worked just fine!

KS

[gregaba]

I can make brackets with the equipment in my shop so that is not a problem. I guess I need to take my tach out and position it to where it will work for me then figure how I am going to get the cable to it.
Thanks
Greg

[BattlestarGalactic]

Google this:

Stewart Warner Performance Speedometer Cable Sender Adapters 411335-D

Summit racing has it $80.

Or eBay:
Corvette Tachometer Cruise Control Cable Adapter 90 degree 1953-1982 Tach Cable
$44.95FAST 'N FREE

[gregaba]

Thanks
The only ones I found earlier today with a quick look were for aircraft.
I don't know what RPM's a airplane turns on takeoff but I was concerned it wouldn't be enough.
I will check this out tonight.
Greg

[TomP]

I have a Stewart Warner mechanical in my 64 Fairlane, mounted to the speaker grill which is easier to replace.
 I had the cable made up while I waited at a local AutoMarine Electric/Napa store.

[gregaba]

Good info
I didn't think about NAPA for my cable but will see if my local NAPA can make one for me as soon as I figure out how to mount it and how long it needs to be .
My old cable for the late model is going to be to short.
My 63 was a race car from day one with the radio and heater delete. I have since added a radio to it but was not going to mount the speaker in the dash. I might make a off set mount to go from the speaker grill to get it closer to my line of sight.
Right now I am open to all ideals because someone has solved the problem but I am not sure what the solution is.
I might just mount it on the cowl with a bracket that goes between the hood and the cowl.
Greg