anyone using the 'new' sunpro retro tach - tachometer

how are they?
i see them advertised on their web site at 133.99 i called advance auto with the part number and they wanted 188.00.

 

I saw that tach, and I have a question about it's size. (still waiting a reply from Sunpro's tech dept)

When Sunpro's literature says the Retro Tach has a 3 3/8" face, do they mean the gauge's trim ring has a 3 3/8" ID, or is the OD of the trim ring 3 3/8"?

I ask because I'm looking for a tach for my F600 instrument cluster that I'm going to install in my truck.

Here's a pic of the F600 cluster.

The tach you see in the panel on the far right is the original mechanical tach, which won't work in my situation, and the mechanical tach ID of the trim ring is just about 3 3/8"

 

Not sure about any other time period, but back in the 70's, Sunpro was considered a real POS. S-W gauges were the ones to run, Sunpro was what the "Pep Boys" stores of the era sold, wouldn't find them in a real speed shop. Can't imagine they'd be better today, but I've been wrong before......

 

Lots of speculation, but no hard answers yet.

Bump for reconsideration, as I wouldn't mind one myself.

-Dave

 

Have you called up Classic Instruments, United Speedometer, or someone like that, and asked about having it converted to work?

-Dave

 

I've seen them in person and they look really nice, same cup and everything as the original. The super tach they offer doesn't have the deep cup the original super tachs had though. I'd buy one for $125.

I did the conversion with a new tach myself a while ago: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=297171

I wouldn't do it again when you can buy these though.

 

I've been meaning to buy one of these, they look decent in the pics? Quicker and cheaper in my opinion than mesing with an original transmitter box or converting an old tach. And the Moon ones aren't complete crap! For $70 they have the right look and work fine
-Dean

 

I remember the SunPro stuff from the 70's as well as RAC, it left something to be desired for sure. It has improved though, SunPro bought Sun in the 80's. I have used some of their stuff over the years since that time and currently have a SunPro mini tach in my beater truck. I also have one of their timing lights. I have no complaints. Not sure I's cough up $140 for one though, maybe half that. But then I'm a cheap old bastard.

 

Just picked up a sunpro for my altered wheelbase car...looks like it's better quality than the moon.

 

$100 and free shipping at Amazon.

 

I like it just for the irony that what was a crap guage is now retro cool

Who would have thought back in the day they'd repop these suckers and charge a premiuim?!?!

 

Back in the 60's Sun Super Tachs (not Sun Super Tach II, whold different deal) were top shelf, along with the SWs. The Dixcos, Farias, and Racs didn't hold a candle to them. At least that's the way it was around here.
I'll probably buy at least a couple of them in the next year.
Larry T

 

I got one of the full-sweeps and couldn't be happier with it. I took out a Mooneyes half-sweep (it worked most of the time, but sometimes it would inexplicably do very strange things) about a month ago and replaced it with the repop Sun that's been bulletproof so far. Out of the box, they are much heavier and more solid feeling than the Moon tinker-toy, and installed it reads accurately and looks great.

I can't speak for the half-sweep, but I'm very satisfied with my full-sweep.

 

I'm pretty happy with the quality and looks of the new SST802R tach we just put in the SOLO Speed Shop - Orange Plus Willys. Neat packaging as well.
As far as measurements go, I would say 3-3/8 is the face/ inner base size, not including the outer ring on this one. It appears almost 3-7/8" OD of the outer ring.

http://www.sunpro.com/product_detail.php?pid=16513

 

I don't understand why Sun and S-W dont make exact duplicates of the really early stuff. Not 70s stuff, but the 40s-60s stuff. Do they not know about us, 105,000 + members?

 

typically when a gauge manufacturer gives a size-- i.e. 3 3/8"---they're referring to the hole size the gauge fits in. In my experience, this is a nominal number, as I've had to file a hole every now and then to change a gauge.

 

From their link above:
Features:
• 3-3/8” 250º sweep face

 

Testify!!

 

If they were PERFECT duplicates, you know that shit would sell.

 

Oh Fudge yes!

 

My Ol'man's had the same Sun Super Tach in about twelve different vehicles over the years. Still works as shitty as the first time i saw it. I would say that nowadays they would undoubtedly only be shittier. Though attractive. Do they repop the american flag version? those are cock!

 

FWIW I just snagged a $100 one off Amazon...

 

The American flag tach was a Dixco....or a Garlits


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I've got one. They are very accurate in looks. I have several "original" Sun tachs. and this is is very close.

But I'm still waiting to put it in the car...the cars is currently powered by 6 volts..

Mike

 

I got the half sweep version a couple of years ago. The finish is nice and seems to work OK, no problems so far. I'd say great for the price and for a street car.

 

Bought a Mooneyes Tach which worked just fine and did everything a tach is supposed to do. Never like the way it looked though. Thought it looked Cheesy. Why buy a repop plastic SunPro which I'm sure is made in China by small children? Bought an NOS Sun Super Tach ll off eBay for $65 which is a true retro piece made in the sixties. It works just fine.
55xgasr, shouldn't your tach white needle read zero with the engine not running? The NOS Sun Super Tach ll I have does..

 

I'm running one of these. I've had it about a year and no issues with it. The quality seems decent, even the chrome is nice. If it's made by small Chinese children, they did a pretty damned good job. Oh yeah, it ain't made of plastic.

 

Really? I didn't...............even after I bought one. Works properly and looks great at night.

 

I have a Super tach too! Love it! Great!

 

i had a original one in my 66 chevelle for almost 30 years. the glass cracked so i bought the repop. it looks just like the original and works fine. i would buy another one. I'm very happy with it.