Thats what the book says, I assume because the in dash isnt accurate anough? Auto zone had never heard of one (and I assumed they would ahve one for a loan-a-tool...)

but, if you dont need one, would it be ok to not disconect the sensor and simply turn the adjuster screw until it says that you want on the dash???

thanks
sohc

 

You don't NEED one, but I mean its nice to have it. The Dash is very innacurate ... SunPro makes nice low dollar external tech-tachs.

 

I have seen them, but they all apear to be "after market" tachs that you install... not tech tacks.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SOHCMAN &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Thats what the book says, I assume because the in dash isnt accurate anough? </TD></TR></TABLE>
Yea, the tach in the dash sucks for setting idle speed and timing. Some of the better timing lights have a digital tach readout.

 

I haden't thought about the timing light...good point.

Lets say that I just wanted to increase my idle without an external tach because I find that when I increase the rpm (from idle) about 250 according to the dash tach, the idle smooths out. (read that it stops feeling like its hesetating and making random vibrations)
Something that is keeping me from knowing exactly where my idle is at is I have no idea where 0 actually is. At the very bottom of the tach there is a thin white line where the needle rests when the engine is off, but right above it is a fat white line that also could be zero. depending on this, the other thin white line betweene the lower fat one and the fat one by 1000 rpm COULLD be either 500 or like 750.
Reardless, I idle at the thin white line that could be either 500 or 750 (and thats IF my tach is telling me the truth anyway)
all I know is it idles rough where it is and gets better right above that.

advice?
sohc

 

The automotive digital multimeters have RPM readings that are supposly to be very accurate, they aren't as expensive and they really come in handy.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SOHCMAN &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">At the very bottom of the tach there is a thin white line where the needle rests when the engine is off, but right above it is a fat white line that also could be zero. depending on this, the other thin white line betweene the lower fat one and the fat one by 1000 rpm COULLD be either 500 or like 750.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
The two lines above zero are suposed to be 500 and 750. If moving your idle up a little smooths out a vibration, go for it. Just remember to set it properly the next time you set your timing.

 

I keep hearing about "setting timing" is this something you do with your distributor, or are you talking using a timing light and everything??
thanks
sohc

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SOHCMAN &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I keep hearing about "setting timing" is this something you do with your distributor, or are you talking using a timing light and everything??
thanks
sohc</TD></TR></TABLE>
Yes and yes.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SOHCMAN &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I have seen them, but they all apear to be "after market" tachs that you install... not tech tacks.</TD></TR></TABLE>

But you can use them as tech-tachs. just hook up the wires, and either hold it or lay it somewhere.

 

or get a vafc or safc