Sun Tachometer Retrospective

[jocko]

hard to beat the sun super II on the column... (I don't know why I'm so partial, but i am - maybe because I grew up seeing this exact tach on every street machine cruising my hometown - and in THAT timeframe, the short sweeps were old news and sun II's were the new cool. Now they're the old cool, just not as old as the short sweeps, that's all). Hard to say, I like them both, but to anything that would've been hot rodded in the early-mid 70's, like my 66, I'm all over the sun super tach II. Pic of one installed on mine. Have since taken it off due to the heinous glare on my windshield from it (and installation of the factory dash tach), but I just might paint some non-glare flat black on the top of it and stick it back on there I miss it so much! By the way, EXCELLENT thread - thanks for starting it markeb01!

[markeb01]

My uncle made a comment about 40 years ago that I believe was pretty accurate. Guys frequently develop a fondness for cars (and related stuff) that was popular in their youth. He grew up in the 30’s and had a preference for cars from the 20’ & 30’s. I grew up in the 50’s and always preferred the 40’s & 50’s offerings, and for me the golden age of speed equipment was the 1960’s. After that, smog equipment, crash bumpers, insurance companies, and gas mileage requirements killed the purity of the earlier era.

Having lusted after the “real” Sun tachs in the time before I could afford one, the Sun Super Tach II compared to an earlier chrome version about the same as the 1974 Mustang II did to a 1964-68 Mustang. Regardless, the SST II was available and affordable so I also bought one. It looked pretty cool on the steering column of my 67 Chevelle. I’m glad you guys have had such good service life and memories of your SST II’s. I might have developed a higher regard for the model had mine lived longer.

[padresag]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...2756&viewitem=
5,000 rpm sun. late 50's
ron

[padresag]

Originally Posted by padresag

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...2756&viewitem=
5,000 rpm sun. late 50's
ron

this was borrowed from the 60-66 gm site

FYI to all- the tachometer head does not get converted at all if it to be used with the 6-cyl Sun transmitter. The transmitter is what gets the solid-state upgrade, and would work for any (SUN) tach head that is the old-school split design. Basically, the sending unit is modified to eliminate the need for battery power and to clean up the inherent corrosion caused by the old batteries- they always leaked. To boot, these old batteries are obsolete and very difficult to find. Williamson's is one place to send your transmitter box for conversion, and you should send it in along with your tach head so they can calibrate it. The tach on eBay has the correct dial face for at least a 62-66 cluster. I don't know if it's the right one for a 60 or 61. Williamson's may have some different dial faces as well, and possibly even a tach head in better shape than the one listed in the auction.

If you just want the period correct tach head and no transmitter, then try http://dandmrestoration.com/tachometers 800 722-0854. They may be able to help with a tach conversion to solid state without the need for the transmitter if I am reading it right. They claim to be able to "do it all", including clock, any guages, or even a complete cluster restoration. Sounds expensive!
ron

[fink64]

This I Know " thread. 1964-66 Dash

what tach is in the 64-66 gauge cluster pictured is it a sun pro if so what model is it or whats my best option for putting a tach in my gauge cluster

[kieth]

I just scored a old 5000 rpm sun tach with the red balloon, am sending it to be redone to a guy in arkansas cost $210.00 it sure looks good in the dash....Kieth

also scored a bat-o-meter (nos) it will really dress up my 66 gmc dash.....after it gets rechromed......


http://kieth.smugmug.com/Trucks/66-G...50_EkomE-X2-LB

[NCD1966]

hey guys Jegs has the 60s style sunpro on sale.
I'm not promoting Jegs or anything; just trying to help you guys out.
this is the one that reads to 8K
http://www.jegs.com/i/Sunpro/885/FZ8...ductId=1283230

I will be ordering one myself this week!

[LeftCoast32]

I have a full gauge cluster going together now. I have been working on it for the last week. I still need a 1966 temp gauge, I will use a 64-65 temp gauge for now.

I used the best parts out of 3 full gauge clusters. I also added an original 5K Tach (with converted solid state transmitter) and Vacuum gauge to it. I still need to chrome the bezel and get a new lens.

[Joemomma1]

heres another

[Joemomma1]

Originally Posted by kieth

I just scored a old 5000 rpm sun tach with the red balloon, am sending it to be redone to a guy in arkansas cost $210.00 it sure looks good in the dash....Kieth

also scored a bat-o-meter (nos) it will really dress up my 66 gmc dash.....after it gets rechromed......


http://kieth.smugmug.com/Trucks/66-G...50_EkomE-X2-LB

Did you send it to williamsons?

[kieth]

Originally Posted by Joemomma1

Did you send it to williamsons?

Yes, I am sending it out today.......

[88fordf150]

Here's some tach's that I have givin the stars & stripes treatment on. I have done probably 200 or so of the Mooneyes tachs over the past 5 years but I like the Sun Pro tach much better, higher quality.

[88fordf150]

A few more, Dixco Big Daddy Don Garlits tach, Beer can tach and black tach.

[markeb01]

What an original idea. Not very many of the original Dixco tachs around for those that want one.

[bubba327]

Just found this thread , Gotta include mine too! (yes- motor is running)

[88fordf150]

Originally Posted by markeb01

What an original idea. Not very many of the original Dixco tachs around for those that want one.

There are 2 Big Daddy tachs on ebay right now, one is up to $107.00 and the other is at $202.00.

[Scot_Douglas]

Markeb01 - any Idea if that Sunpro would fit in the cluster of a 66? I think I may try it, but wonder if anyone had experience with mounting the sun repops in their clusters.



Thanks!
Scot

[88fordf150]

Originally Posted by Scot_Douglas

Markeb01 - any Idea if that Sunpro would fit in the cluster of a 66? I think I may try it, but wonder if anyone had experience with mounting the sun repops in their clusters.



Thanks!
Scot

I haven't done it but you would need a 3-3/8" hole for that tach.

[LeftCoast32]

Here is my finished Vac and Tac Cluster

[markeb01]

Originally Posted by Scot_Douglas

Markeb01 - any Idea if that Sunpro would fit in the cluster of a 66? I think I may try it, but wonder if anyone had experience with mounting the sun repops in their clusters.



Thanks!
Scot

They will fit right into the dash of a GMC since Sun tachometers, Bat-O-Meters and Vacuum gauges were all available in the 3 3/8” size, and originally offered as factory accessories. And the new retro tach head fits an original mounting cup perfectly. I’m assuming for a Chevy cluster the tach mechanism would need to be removed from the housing, and a suitable mount fabricated to install it in the rear of the cluster. This would be rather simple with an original Sun tach. The faceplate is swaged to a metal cylinder with the cup mounting studs spot welded to the sides. The tach mechanism is mounted on a Bakelite back plate, which simply slides into the face assembly and is held in place with two nuts. To disassemble one of these is a matter of removing it from the cup and removing that back plate to free the mechanism.

The reproduction tach took some production shortcuts, and the gauge housing is swaged to the faceplate like any other conventional gauge. There is no back plate allowing easy removal of the mechanism. If you don’t mind cosmetically destroying the face assembly, it’s not all that hard to get the mechanism out. This is how I mounted aftermarket temp, fuel, and oil pressure gauges in my 46 Ford dash. I just twisted off the face bezel with a screwdriver, removed the mounting nuts from the rear of the can, lifted the mechanism out and remounted the guts into the original 46 dash housing. This technique should work exactly the same with the repro Sunpro gauges, but I can’t swear to it since I’ve not yet had the need to pull one apart.

If it would fit, I suppose the entire reproduction tach head could be mounted within the Chevy cluster, but it might look unnatural if the chrome face and glass shows through the cluster window.

[markeb01]

Originally Posted by LeftCoast32

Here is my finished Vac and Tac Cluster

That is really beautiful!

[kieth]

Originally Posted by Scot_Douglas

Markeb01 - any Idea if that Sunpro would fit in the cluster of a 66? I think I may try it, but wonder if anyone had experience with mounting the sun repops in their clusters.



Thanks!
Scot

Here is what it looked like finished on my 66

original dash 66 gmc:
http://kieth.smugmug.com/Trucks/66-G...67555848_rHzxh

Dash in process:
http://kieth.smugmug.com/Trucks/66-G...049628_hP8J4Rb

Instrument panel as installed:
http://kieth.smugmug.com/Trucks/66-G...258658_X8WmmMg

Instrument panel in the truck:
http://kieth.smugmug.com/Trucks/66-G...6_6RPBQ7f-A-LB

[markeb01]

That looks great with the upgrades. Those later GMC panels looked so much nicer than the early style mine came with.

[QUOTE=kieth;4756621]Here is what it looked like finished on my 66

[Scot_Douglas]

Originally Posted by LeftCoast32

Here is my finished Vac and Tac Cluster

:drool:

Beautimus!!!!

[LeftCoast32]

Originally Posted by Scot_Douglas

:drool:

Beautimus!!!!

Thanks!