Source for 1936 Model 85 tachometer

S

scootertrs

Junior Member
I have a Jensen built on a 1936 Ford chassis and need a tachometer for it. Not a very common item.

I do not know how it is powered, and am hopeful that an electronic model is out there.

I attach a couple of pics, maybe someone can help?

Thanks
Raul
 

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The pointer appears to be Ford 35-36 speedometer. Check the diameter of the hole the tachometer fits into for size and the mounting at the rear of the dash. Ford didn't put tachometers into their cars. Your most likely going to have one custom built to match. It is most possible the tachometer is mechanical driven off the front of the engine crank bolt area or the rear of the generator. Check with many of the instrument repair places you may find one that has the design of the face saved onto their computer if they have done one in the past it could save some time and $.
 

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That has to be one of the rarest Ford parts there is. It's probably of European origin as well.

Good luck in your quest!
 
BTW, it is a 100mm tach and matching speedometer. Add to the strangeness, it has a speed corrector in front of the speedometer to correct for the engagement of the Colombia 2 speed differential.

Thank you all! I have Bruce from Bob's Speedometers on the task as well. Since only 3 were made, basically unless I get creative, I will not have a tach. Add to that the fact that the car is a 6 Volt, Positive ground creation.

Terry, I see that you provided a pic of a mechanical tach made by S-W. Any more info about that? The car is a flat head V8. I have not found any others or the drive system for such an animal. Such as years available? Was it a factory or dealer option? Can it be retrofitted to any car?

... Stewart Warner tachometer for fords 2.jpg (1 of 1)

Adding to the fun, this is my first experience with a flat head V-8. It does burble nice!

Thanks again,

Raul
 
This is one type of tach drive there is another one that drives off of the generator.
Here's a front drive on Epay. https://www.ebay.com/itm/176432383103?_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D269852%2C269982%26meid%3D8a5450dfc370447cbf5bc072035a1905%26pid%3D101875%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D176431424430%26itm%3D176432383103%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2332490%26algv%3DSimplAMLv11WebTrimmedV3MskuWithLambda85KnnRecallV1V2V4ItemNrtInQueryAndCassiniVisualRankerAndBertRecallWithVMEV3EmbeddedAuctionsCPCAutoWithCassiniEmbRecallManualCVRShadow%26brand%3DStewart%2BWarner&_trksid=p2332490.c101875.m1851&itmprp=cksum%3A1764323831038a5450dfc370447cbf5bc072035a1905%7Cenc%3AAQAJAAABkGjWmJM3XlNBfm3pn9GuNq%252BGWKzd5GI3fOSRV0RJa0PIUtbjiU5SKzZJcUtz6RJRXhEwjjacoLRnvLh84yQ2WYnZmbF9wrEKBX6G9Arc3QGXnOP5fdmSHfRgavVI82R07t%252BnUJXzuIQ%252BD5QyF1lfNuIGqAWM4e5yVzNQot0tleTAcudluOBjqFCfQOS9bJeOlfVe3pKy46zjWepWZKYQhX38HpGQ99SbBl3ljjDasrUBUmNnk24y1hn2lz%252Ffz9MO3UnYxhcuFaw8RWyt54HLNZYWQ5no%252FRIeWTPsRIiUHbYLrrQvyucsAv7G2NGxXsKOw83Jj%252B99jrPSBEVA2qGZFQKc4e5V0gctSZvxbCeo2Qka94hb6MwAvw7wTKFLC47e1kZNZaDiBLgYumd4G3vO%252BpIfWv9ZFzi2GrOoSVsBcb1%252Bbo9NgGT7YDs4kq20FV9RCLFPezGbgrgycUoKW0eI%252F6Wj55Al59XGNOhP6UEWmFV7cg%252F4j6cCX4IxSINsd4JB0SI6ugKsAkHc6%252FcgVoZr%252FCM%253D%7Campid%3APL_CLK%7Cclp%3A2332490&itmmeta=01J3ZPHY2FCZQ8JKPFFPCCSTW5


If the link doesn't work it is item 176432383103
 

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For the mechanical Tach. There are a few different styles of the drive brackets for the reducer (0.5) and 90 degree drive that were made by Stewart Warner. What I showed above is for a hand held tachometer for Ford mechanics. Bob C has shown one. Ebay had an other style supported by two bolts across the front of the crank pulley and there is also a bracket less drive that replaces the crank bolt, all attached to the crank. There is also a drive off the rear of the generator But with the flat head it most likely interfere with the carburetor.
 
Thank you both! I guess I need to get my big boy pants and tell my wife that I may spend $1400 for a tach drive? All options are $$$. Thanks again.
 
Might have had a MG type that drove off the rear of the gen with the output cable sort of off set. If so, not a $1400. item. If you can find a Jensen that somewhere, would be good to get pics etc.
 
Hi scootertrs,
Would you be interested in a shifter arm for a Jensen? This particular one belonged to my boss, Dennis Carpenter, and his son is currently looking to sell it. If you're interested, please let me know, and I can provide you with some pictures and connect you with him.
Regards,
Ronald
 
My guess is that it was originally cable driven (mechanical) - especially since I believe the Jensen had a Vertex/Scintilla magneto. If it was mine, that would definitely be the approach I'd take.
 
Thank you all for the help. I will update the group...

Found a knowledgeable and willing participant that will help me take care of the tach problem in Bob's Speedometer shop. (800) 592-9673. Ask for Bruce. He will have a "face" made to the 5000 rpm needed and build a mechanical tach in a 100mm speedometer case.

Then I went to Chris, at Flat Broke Speed (flatbrokespeed.com) and he sourced me a crankshaft tach drive. So far so good. Now ehen I get these toys in my hand and installed, I will figure out what type and length tach drive cable I need.

Nothing is easy, but it will get done... hopefully correct!
 
Well Guys...

It looks like its going to be a great weekend! Just got my gauges back from Bob's speedometer shop and my 2 speed speedometer corrector from John at Columbia Two Speed. Here is what they look like. Now I have to install and take a measurement for the tach drive cable.

BTW what does the correct tach drive cable look like? Is it metal cased or rubber coated...

Thank you
Raul
 

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Looks amazing. Congratulations!

All the speedometer cables of this era I've seen are silver-cadmium plated. I would assume a tach cable would be the same, but I really can't say for certain.
 
Model51 said:
Looks amazing. Congratulations!

All the speedometer cables of this era I've seen are silver-cadmium plated. I would assume a tach cable would be the same, but I really can't say for certain.
Click to expand...
Thank you. First I need to take measurements with instruments in place. BTW Pretty stake truck in your avatar Model 51!
 
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