22 replies to this topic

[adam_93rio]

ok so i have a 93 mini and want to fit a tacho, im running original 2 dial clocks,
which i wish to keep, but while im in the process of rebuild i want to fit a tacho
i stilll have to find somehwere to put it as i dont want it obvious that i have it
so any suggestions on where to put it and any pictures would be great

i was looking at a smiths one on the classified ads on here which i really like but wont work for my car
i also dont really want to pay too much

thanks

[dklawson]

You don't want it obvious that you have one... but you want a tachometer? Why is that? Any place that you can mount a tachometer so you can see it will make it obvious that you have one.

If you are looking at Smiths tachs, the temptation is to look for classic models out of MGs. If that's the route you are taking, keep in mind that there are RVI and RVC types (it will be marked on the gauge face). Do not buy an RVI type. While it may work if your ignition is still points-based, it is unlikely to work with electronic ignitions. It's also an older tach (approaching 40 years old) and the electronics are likely to be "tired". Stick with an RVC type if you must have a Smiths tach.

Smiths tachs from MGs are also going to be relatively large for your desire to keep the gauge less than obvious. Most are at least 80mm in diameter but there are some 100mm ones also. If you are looking for a smaller tach, Smiths didn't make them... except for some very rare "sidesweep" (not round) ones. There are lots of 52mm aftermarket tachs available. Generic ones will not be too expensive, name brand ones will cost about twice as much. The only "used" 52mm tach that you are likely to find will be those removed from 240 series Volvos. Those tachs were made by VDO and routinely sell for about 1/2 the price of a new 52mm VDO tach.

[Nightrain]

Have seen a 52mm smith one, was quite old and came out a Maxi 1750 Sport. Obviously it wasn't original equipment, only ever seen that one though. Will ask if mate still has it and get a pic.

[dklawson]

Please do post a copy of the picture if your friend still has the tach. The only Small Smiths tachs I've ever seen or seen pictures of have been "sidewinder" tachs, not round ones.

[adam_93rio]

thanks to both of you for the help,
when i say i dont want it obvious, i realise that anyone who looks around my car will see it, but i was thinking somewhere just below the air vent on my side
(mounted under the bottom dash rail)
not completely hidden, but might take a second look to notice
im not completly decided yet, but i just like the idea

my dad rebuilt his volvo 240 so ill see if he still has one, tho he did sell it about 5 years ago

is the wiring in my car already to fit fit one?

and the 52mm one sounds great, can you get me pics please

thanks again

adam

[mk1leg]

A 93 mini should have a 3 clock dash as standard..............??????

[dklawson]

I'm a few thousand miles too far away to direct you to places to buy 52mm gauges. However, I can suggest a few web sites for you to visit to see pictures.

The Volvo tach I mentioned was optional so your father's car may or may not have had one. You can see what they look like by visiting eBay and looking up item # 220399136949. Obviously you can search eBay for "tachometer" and other keywords like "52mm". However, expect to have to sort through a lot of listings to find the small gauges.

For pictures of other 52mm tachs, visit one of my U.S. vendors: www.egauges.com
You can search for gauges by type, after which you'll have to pull up the multitude of pages and read what size various tachs are.

[taffy1967]

A 93 mini should have a 3 clock dash as standard..............??????

A 1993 Mini Sprite (which replaced the Mini City in 1992) would only have come with the 2 clock instrument pack.

But the extra wiring for the additional standard tachometer will be hidden behind your clocks. So you could just fit a triple instrument pack instead?

[adam_93rio]

A 93 mini should have a 3 clock dash as standard..............??????

A 1993 Mini Sprite (which replaced the Mini City in 1992) would only have come with the 2 clock instrument pack.

But the extra wiring for the additional standard tachometer will be hidden behind your clocks. So you could just fit a triple instrument pack instead?

this is right, i think the wiring is there, my rio LE is based on a sprite i believe, but with the extra bits
but not 3 clocks

i prefer having just the 2 in front of me as i dont like the way the 3 dials looks
however i wouldnt mind having one that will be easily removed for show season/at shows

[adam_93rio]

I'm a few thousand miles too far away to direct you to places to buy 52mm gauges. However, I can suggest a few web sites for you to visit to see pictures.

The Volvo tach I mentioned was optional so your father's car may or may not have had one. You can see what they look like by visiting eBay and looking up item # 220399136949. Obviously you can search eBay for "tachometer" and other keywords like "52mm". However, expect to have to sort through a lot of listings to find the small gauges.

For pictures of other 52mm tachs, visit one of my U.S. vendors: www.egauges.com
You can search for gauges by type, after which you'll have to pull up the multitude of pages and read what size various tachs are.

thanks for the help, once again you have given so much more information
i did search ebay but never found a lot of them,
perhaps if i try the US (ebay.com) rather than uk?

[RetroRay]

Get yourself to some autojumbles you bound to find what your looking for

[dklawson]

thanks for the help, once again you have given so much more information
i did search ebay but never found a lot of them,
perhaps if i try the US (ebay.com) rather than uk?

I don't think you'll find many name brand 52mm tachs on U.S. eBay either, they just aren't very common. The common small tach is probably a Sunpro II with a case approximately 2-3/8" in diameter. It's MUCH more common to find an 80mm (3-3/8") tach or a 100mm (4") gauge.

In addition to automotive 52mm gauges there are several marine units available. Some marine instruments are meant to connect to the alternator, not the ignition system so you have to be careful what you buy. Anyway, you could consider a 52mm marine tach if it is designed for connection to the ignition system AND has a high enough range (many stop at 4k RPM... you'll want one that goes at least to 7k RPM).

I don't have a source for TIM gauges like you do in the U.K. but I'd think that they would have a nice looking 52mm unit. On eBay (U.K. or the U.S.) you should find a bunch of generic 52mm tachs... often with color change faces and other "modern" effects. Some are nice looking, others aren't.

Try eBay again and search using keywords " 52mm tachometer" among others you'll find these item numbers:
250408609964
250412204322
220400004981
There are plenty of others... these are just a few of the generic tachs I found.

[Nightrain]

Not 2" but a 2.5" Smiths tacho

Attached Files

•  SmithsInstrAd.jpg   18.33K   4 downloads
•  Smiths2.5Tacho.jpg   18.29K   8 downloads

[dklawson]

Thanks Nigthrain. That's a very nice looking instrument.

[Nightrain]

Yep but it's not just pretty, negative or positive earth just alter the connections at the back of the gauge. Can also be wired either way on the pick up, a real dual usage accessory.