Tach for tuneups?

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midnight340

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What is a good way to track RPM for tuneups? I have a good tach inside, and a good non-dial back timing light.

Is there a decent handheld tach for a reasonable price? I have one of those old Actron tach/dwell meters, but it doesn’t have the RPM range to check total timing.
 
There may be something. Might have to cross post in Shop & tools.
For anything around idle and even fast idle, I prefer the tune up one like your tach/dwell.
For checking timing at higher rpms, I used to use the one on top of the dash.'
Yea take a timing reading and then look inside. Then turn the idle stop screw a little more - 'till timing advanced a couple degrees or rpm went up 500 rpm or whatever internval seemed enough.
Now I have automotive multimeter with tach function. Its a little more convenient.
Multi-spark can't use all those. Need to use the tach output of the MSD box...
 
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Put a good friend in the car to watch the tach you trust. Never had any luck with my wife. She kept yelling out "its not moving".
 
What is a good way to track RPM for tuneups? I have a good tach inside, and a good non-dial back timing light.

Is there a decent handheld tach for a reasonable price? I have one of those old Actron tach/dwell meters, but it doesn’t have the RPM range to check total timing.
Send @halifaxhops a message. He usually has a bunch of meters for sale.
 
Mike -Do you recall any handheld or benchtop tachs or combo units with both low rpm and a wider rpm range?
I have kept a MAC tach/dwell meter with cylinder cancelling. Handy tool for old cars.

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Thanks, I guess I start getting my buddy over here to map my curve. I changed a couple of things, need to see what it’s doing.
Still it would be simpler to be able to see it. May have to head down to Harbor Freight and check out the meter/tach.
 
Thanks, I guess I start getting my buddy over here to map my curve. I changed a couple of things, need to see what it’s doing.
Still it would be simpler to be able to see it. May have to head down to Harbor Freight and check out the meter/tach.


Look around at swap meets and stuff. I've purchased two really cool, perfectly functioning Craftsman test systems. They both have tach's and other cools stuff.

I think I paid 25 bucks for the big one and 10 bucks for my small one.

Once you have one, you don't need a friend. Look around.
 
Thanks, I guess I start getting my buddy over here to map my curve. I changed a couple of things, need to see what it’s doing.
Still it would be simpler to be able to see it. May have to head down to Harbor Freight and check out the meter/tach.

Well there you go. Halifaxhops is going to hook you up. Very cool.
 
Checking back, got a very cool Sun Engine Analyzer from halifaxshops, Ray was very helpful... The Sun unit with nice big gauge is very easy to read sitting alongside. I will likely post my ignition curve sometime soon, just to see if I can stir something up. :D

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