Tachometer Wiring Questions

Lou Lyman · 07-19-1999, 04:20 PM

The Tach in question is a Bonneville (Mod 87)made by Dixson Products, Grand Junction, CO.It was operating on a points ignition system connected to the coil negative terminal.
The system has been upgraded to Pertronix
electronic with Flame Thrower coil.
Two Questions.
(1) Will the tach damage the electronic
ignition?
(2) Where would the connection be made?

Any help is greatly appreciated.
Lou.

Lou Lyman · 07-21-1999, 10:56 AM

It's in a 1966 STANG coupe, 289, slightly modified. Hope this qualifies for an answer. Help please.
Lou.

Neal Jackson · 07-21-1999, 01:19 PM

Lou,

I have always been concerned with the question "will improper connection damage the new tach"?

Our car has an auto meter tach and its instructions call for normal hookup to the negative coil lead (which I did and works fine), unless you are using a multiple spark box, i.e., MSD, for which it shows on the schematic where to hook that into the MSD box. For just a hotter aftermarket coil it does not show any different hookup than the neg lead. I think the reason it has a different connection for the MSD is simply because the MSD delivers multiple sparks. My experience with basic electronic type ignitions is that there is still only one spark and therefore no real change in the reading by the tach of the revolutions.

Don't quote me on this, but I'd think using the same neg terminal on the new coil would be the place to hook to, unless you have some literature with the dist/coil conversion that tells you different.

Good Luck and let us know,

Neal

PS Thanks to Dan McClain for this website - nice place!!

[This message has been edited by Neal Jackson (edited 07-21-1999).]

David Gagnard · 07-21-1999, 02:37 PM

Lou;
Just hook it up the same as before. I had the same Petronix on my car and the hookup stays the same on the coil. It doen't matter what coil you use,just hook it up to the correct terminal.

David 65 Fastback

Lou Lyman · 07-22-1999, 03:52 PM

OK, after reading the responses, I wired it in and fired up the engine. Everything works fine, nothing is damaged, and the tach seems to read correctly. Thanks to all who posted responses.
Lou.

Neal Jackson · 07-23-1999, 03:27 AM

Whew!!! Glad to hear the good news Lou - had my fingers crossed!

Neal

07-19-1999, 04:20 PM	#1
Lou Lyman Registered Member Join Date: Dec 1998 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 70	Tachometer Wiring Questions The Tach in question is a Bonneville (Mod 87)made by Dixson Products, Grand Junction, CO.It was operating on a points ignition system connected to the coil negative terminal. The system has been upgraded to Pertronix electronic with Flame Thrower coil. Two Questions. (1) Will the tach damage the electronic ignition? (2) Where would the connection be made? Any help is greatly appreciated. Lou.

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07-21-1999, 10:56 AM	#2
Lou Lyman Registered Member Join Date: Dec 1998 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 70	It's in a 1966 STANG coupe, 289, slightly modified. Hope this qualifies for an answer. Help please. Lou.

07-21-1999, 01:19 PM	#3
Neal Jackson Registered Member Join Date: Jul 1999 Posts: 26	Lou, I have always been concerned with the question "will improper connection damage the new tach"? Our car has an auto meter tach and its instructions call for normal hookup to the negative coil lead (which I did and works fine), unless you are using a multiple spark box, i.e., MSD, for which it shows on the schematic where to hook that into the MSD box. For just a hotter aftermarket coil it does not show any different hookup than the neg lead. I think the reason it has a different connection for the MSD is simply because the MSD delivers multiple sparks. My experience with basic electronic type ignitions is that there is still only one spark and therefore no real change in the reading by the tach of the revolutions. Don't quote me on this, but I'd think using the same neg terminal on the new coil would be the place to hook to, unless you have some literature with the dist/coil conversion that tells you different. Good Luck and let us know, Neal PS Thanks to Dan McClain for this website - nice place!! [This message has been edited by Neal Jackson (edited 07-21-1999).]

07-21-1999, 02:37 PM	#4
David Gagnard Registered Member Join Date: Jul 1999 Location: Marksville, Louisiana Posts: 17	Lou; Just hook it up the same as before. I had the same Petronix on my car and the hookup stays the same on the coil. It doen't matter what coil you use,just hook it up to the correct terminal. David 65 Fastback

07-22-1999, 03:52 PM	#5
Lou Lyman Registered Member Join Date: Dec 1998 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 70	OK, after reading the responses, I wired it in and fired up the engine. Everything works fine, nothing is damaged, and the tach seems to read correctly. Thanks to all who posted responses. Lou.

07-23-1999, 03:27 AM	#6
Neal Jackson Registered Member Join Date: Jul 1999 Posts: 26	Whew!!! Glad to hear the good news Lou - had my fingers crossed! Neal