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Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
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| | | | Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 108 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 108 | I am looking into installing a RPM gauge into my 51. I am looking for something that looks orginal but new...something that matches the orginal gauges, and doesn't stick out like a sore thumb. What do you guys suggest? | | | | | Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 5,708 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 5,708 | Holcomb,
Are you after a tachometer! I think the pickins will be slim if you are still running a 6 volt system. Stewart-Warner would probably be the oldest name to search for, but they wouldn't be in the '51 time frame or have the appearance of your gauges. These tach's were aftermarket items and weren't designed to match anything. If you are 'e-bay wise', that would be a great spot to get a feel for price and availability of a older tachometer. Good luck.
Stuart | | | | | Joined: Jun 2001 Posts: 169 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jun 2001 Posts: 169 | Holcomb, These guys have 6 Volt tachs that "look" old. http://www.westach.com/ Paul | | | | | Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,158 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,158 | Sun has been around for a very long time, too, and they make a very nice looking tach. As Stuart says, 6v is pretty slim pickings, but they can be found on ebay if you're patient. They usually run about $30-$80 for the transmitter and $20-$70 for the gauge, depending on the number of lobes and the voltage. If you don't want to wait, give Williamson\'s a call and tell them what application you have and ask what they've got that'll work. Many bolters have used them and like their work. I'm thinking about sending my old Sun Brainbox to them for the solid-state conversion. | | | | | Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 1,029 Member | | Member Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 1,029 | Sun tachometers of the day had a sending unit under the hood and the meter itself, in a bullet shaped chrome bullet, was usually mounted on the steering column. A friend had a 51 Merc with one. It looked good, but he wanted it to to help him shift at the optimum RPM. Unfortunately, it drew so much current from the points that the engine wouldn't rev very high and he had to disconnect it when he wanted to race. | | | | | Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 5,708 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 5,708 | WOW...so much for slim pickins! Great link Wisner955.
Stuart | | | | | Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 513 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 513 |
1949 Chevy 3600 Flatbed all orginal 1964 gmc 4000 1973 gmc 6000 2005 chevy duramax 4x4 1994 chevy 1500 Trucks are GM and Tractors are Orange "I don't measure a man's success by how high he climbs but how high he bounces when he hits bottom." - General George S. Patton | | | | | Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,158 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,158 | Huh.
I'm going to rethink using that sun gauge. That Westach unit will be half the price when it's all said and done. | | | | | Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 108 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 108 | Sorry about that I forgot to mention I rewired the entire truck with a gm 7 circuit harness. So now I am 12 Volt. | | | | | Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 108 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 108 | Good website Wisner955...I will look into it. | | | | | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 265 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 265 | Didn't someone have a link for a company that can cut the center out of the instrument cluster and install a small tach? | | |
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