'61 Tachometer Ratio Adapter

[Mike B.]

It appears that the tach on my '61 was rebuilt for a distributor drive which is how it was set up when I bought the car. Now that I have the correct generator and tach drive installed the tach reads about twice as fast as it should. I know that the distributor drives at 1/2 the rate of the generator so the quick and dirty way to fix it is using a ratio adapter as is often used to correct a speedometer after rear gearing or tire sizes are altered. I want to spare the expense of having a perfectly restored tach rebuilt again.

I would prefer to "hide" the adapter by installing it on the gauge and not the generator drive unit. Does anyone know the thread size of the gauge and if an adapter designed for a tranny thread (and internal cable size) will fit? My suspicion is they are different but I have to crawl under to check.

Secondly, does anyone have a recommendation on where I might obtain an adapter (besides ebay)?

Thank you,
Mike

[Dick W.]

Re: '61 Tachometer Ratio Adapter

Google S. S. White co. They make adapters such as you are wanting. They make the same units that the Stewart Warner Co used to make. Used to be, before the advent of the electric speedometer, most every heavy duty truck dealer had a kit and could make you an adapter.

[Mike B.]

Re: '61 Tachometer Ratio Adapter

Thanks for the info.

I have since learned that the tach can be magnetically recalibrated for only $40. I was expecting it to cost much more but it only needs calibration, not rebuilding. So except for a little time on my back squeezed under the dash, it would be best to pull the tach and fix it the right way.

Mike