| |
Labor Day Putting down your wrenches or time for MORE wrenching? 
Plenty of places to share. | | Click on image for the lowdown. 
====
| | | Forums66 Topics128,010 Posts1,055,299 Members48,419 | | Most Online14,466 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!
Lots of work on Brad's part ... pure enjoyment (and references) for you!
| | THANKS!
For helping keep this great
old truck web site
on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down with Ads! Again, thanks! | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 85 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 85 | I was trying to wire up a old SW tach to my brothers 71 chevy,and I can't get it to work.I know it works because I tested it on a differant v8 that has points and block mounted coil and it worked fine.But now the truck that I was trying to put it on has a electronic ignition ,would that be the problem? | | | | | Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 5,708 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 5,708 | 48 one ton,
My guess is you are probably right, it won't operate with a breaker-less ignition. I have several dwell meters. Some work only with point type ignitions while the others state right on the case "works with solid state ignitions".
Stuart | | | | | Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,464 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,464 | Is this a GM HEI ignition? Take a look at the distributor, there should be 2 connections there, one for the "hot" lead, and another one where you can connect a tach. | | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 85 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 85 | Well last night when I was trying to connect it,there is a single wire that feeds the distibutor/ignition,it has tach/bat stamped above where the wire go's in it, thats where I tried it.
I just looked at your post a little closer,your saying there might be a plug hole for the tach by the feed side of the distributor?You might be right I didn't think of looking under there for another plug,I'll have to check that out.
Last edited by 48 one ton; 05/16/2008 6:05 PM.
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,464 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,464 | | | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 85 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 85 | I looked at it yesterday and it feels like there might be a plug under there,I can't tell for sure though it's hard to see under the distibutor.When I Get some time I'll just have to try it and see. | | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 926 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 926 | If you have a female spade lug on your wire it will plug right onto the terminal;the blade goes the same direction as the ignition terminal.I just installed an old tach on my '74 one ton,and it works fine. When I first hooked it up I thought I had it on tight but it was only wedged between the blade and the outside wall of the socket;it worked for about 2 days before it fell off and the tach stopped working. Next time I was more careful and once it was started on the blade I used pliers to push it on tight. I was going to say that on the points ignition if you hook the tach to the wrong side of the coil it won't work,then saw it's electronic ign. so never mind. Speed | | | | | Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,464 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,464 | You should be able to look up in there with a good flashlight and a "dental mirror" you can get most anywhere. | | |
| |
| |