Most mechanical tachometers are driven directly off the camshaft or an adaptor on the distributor. There is an adaptor that fits stovebolt engines which was made by Mallory.

Mechanical tachs work just like speedometers, although speedometers read 60 MPH at 1000 cable RPM. Your tach reads 2000 rpm at 1000 rpm cable, which means it was meant to be hooked to a camshaft or distributor, which rotates at half crank rpm. Most tachometers will work with a standard speedometer cable.

The tach on my bike runs through the cam cover to a gear on the camshaft. Most cars are off the distributor though.


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