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correct cobra tachometer casing?

Discussion in '1965-1970 Shelby Mustang GT350 & GT500' started by jk66gt350, Nov 30, 2009.

  1. Nov 30, 2009 #1
    jk66gt350

    jk66gt350 Member

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    I have a question about the tachometer casing on my 1966 GT 350 #1575. The tach that was on the car when I bought it many years ago is correct and I did have it professionally rebuilt, but I believe the rear casing is wrong for the car. It is chrome and rounded like some Sun tachs I have seen. Other casings I've seen on GT 350's are black. Can anyone tell me if it's possible the chrome casing is correct for the car - did they make any in chrome, and if not, where I might source a correct black one? Thanks.
     
    jk66gt350, Nov 30, 2009
    jk66gt350, Nov 30, 2009
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  2. Nov 30, 2009 #2
    zrayr

    zrayr Well-Known Member

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    I have the black case on # 1117. Maybe the Hertz cars have the chrome tach cases.

    Z. Ray
     
    zrayr, Nov 30, 2009
    zrayr, Nov 30, 2009
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  3. Nov 30, 2009 #3
    56ace

    56ace Well-Known Member

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    My understanding is the black case is what was on most (if not all) of the '66s and the chrome casings of the same shape were on the over the counter replacements sold by SA. You say yours is more rounded, does that mean it is tear drop shaped? It may be a completely different casing.
    Jay
     
    56ace, Nov 30, 2009
    56ace, Nov 30, 2009
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  4. Dec 1, 2009 #4
    Bob Gaines

    Bob Gaines Well-Known Member

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    To add to some logical reasons behind that theory is that there were a lot of tachs that were replaced under warranty as well as after warranty was up.The tachs were not very durable and needed replacement more then Shelby would have liked. The replacement tachs were the chrome cupped variety. This is as logical a theory as any to the reason that the chrome cup tachs ended up in many 66 GT350's from early life on. Bob
     
    Bob Gaines, Dec 1, 2009
    Bob Gaines, Dec 1, 2009
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  5. Dec 1, 2009 #5
    jk66gt350

    jk66gt350 Member

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    Thanks very much for the replies. Good to know that replacements could have been chrome but my guess is this is not a replacement tach as the shape of the casing is different - not cup shaped but rounded and longer /deeper (Don't have a good picture otherwise I would post). An adapter was actually made to extend the posts out the back to accomodate the longer / deeper casing. That brings me back to my second question of whether anyone knows of where I could source the correct cup shaped casing - preferably black, but alternately a chrome one. Thanks, John.
     
    jk66gt350, Dec 1, 2009
    jk66gt350, Dec 1, 2009
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  6. Dec 1, 2009 #6
    sdully88

    sdully88 Member

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    While we are on the subject, without pulling the tach apart is there any way to determine if a tach is a reproduction or a period correct replacement/over the counter item from the 60's?
     
    sdully88, Dec 1, 2009
    sdully88, Dec 1, 2009
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  7. Dec 1, 2009 #7
    s2ms

    s2ms Well-Known Member

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    When I pulled the tach in 6S1757 apart for restoration I discovered it had a June 67 date code. After contacting the original owner he confirmed the original tach failed and was replaced in late 1967. It still had (has) the correct OE style black case and bracket but what I don't know is if they replaced the whole thing or just the tach itself.
     
    s2ms, Dec 1, 2009
    s2ms, Dec 1, 2009
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  8. Dec 1, 2009 #8
    zrayr

    zrayr Well-Known Member

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    all the ones I've looked at have a blue or black ink stamp with the date & the Faria name.

    Z. Ray
     
    zrayr, Dec 1, 2009
    zrayr, Dec 1, 2009
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  9. Dec 1, 2009 #9
    sdully88

    sdully88 Member

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    Mine has a blue ink stamp but no Faria name
     
    sdully88, Dec 1, 2009
    sdully88, Dec 1, 2009
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  10. Dec 1, 2009 #10
    Bob Gaines

    Bob Gaines Well-Known Member

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    All of the repro "66" Cobra tachs I have come across require a separate wire to the coil in the engine compartment instead of connecting to the factory harness and running in series with the resistor wire near the ignition(two bullet connectors) like all factory 65-70 tachs do . Bob
     
    Bob Gaines, Dec 1, 2009
    Bob Gaines, Dec 1, 2009
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