I'm looking to put a tach on my 52 chevy 2 dr hardtop, 235. Shifter was moved to floor, leaving that collar on the steering column and it looks like the perfect spot for a tach. So.....What type/brand, etc? Will it fit? Transformer needed and if so, why? Can I use the "collar"/support or lose it? I've seen a lot of tachs on ebay. They seem expensive and usually no guarantee about functionality or adaptability, etc. Not sure how to go here. Help.
The shift collar isn't really an easy way to mount a tach...but fortunately many tachs came with mounting bracket that is designed to be attached to the steering column with a hose clamp. Although many used tachs are missing the bracket. Some tachs (mostly early Stewart Warner) use a "transmitter" box. Most tachs don't need one. But if you get a tach that is an off brand and has no instructions with it, you may have trouble figuring out how to connect it properly. And it might be bad. So....if you buy an old used tach, don't spend much for it unless you get a written guarantee that it will work properly, etc. Also make sure it can be switched to 6 cylinder mode, some require cutting a wire, or moving a switch, or something.
Sunpro makes a nice looking half-sweep tach that's retro, as does Mooneyes which has a chromed plastic housing for less $$. I think anything mounted in that collar is going to be tough to see.
Around $70.00 for a Moon with cup and bracket but as stated above not the best place to mount a tachometer. IMO it looks like an afterthought when done that way.
Here's my old sun tack mounted on the steering column in my '50 Chevy. It requires the transmitter. Put it to the side so it wont hide the speedo and I'm still using the column shift.
Yes, if you want to save yourself grief & money (and aren't bothered by not seeing "Made in the USA" on the tach face), buy one of those. After getting the old Sun tach & transmitter (and getting the transmitter converted to solid state), you'll be into it for about $350. I just got done doing it. BUT WHATEVER YOU DO, don't get a tach that clashes with that Wu Wei gear shift knob.
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