Tachometer/Distributor Question
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,855
Likes: 0
From: Cocoa Beach FL
Tachometer/Distributor Question
Is it possible for me to use my stock tach with the ZZ4 distributor setup? Am I going to have to get a new tach or a new dist? :confused:
Thanks! :thumbs:
Thanks! :thumbs:
Drifting
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 1,411
Likes: 1
From: Wylie TX
Re: Tachometer/Distributor Question (Mystery Machine)
You can use the ZZ4 distributor if you change out your tach for a '75 - '76 one. I think they changed the shape and size of the tach in '77, but I may be wrong on this. The other options are to use your old distributor, buy another distributor with tach drive, or convert your points distributor to electric with a kit like the Pertronix or Mallary Unilite.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
Likes: 1
From: Living in the Hartland
Re: Tachometer/Distributor Question (Mystery Machine)
Stock 73 tach is mechanical so you will need a new tach or find a new/used tach. I have my orig tach that needs rebuild. Not sure what the far market price is but guessing $100.
What happed to your orig tach? Think you just did the zz4 swap, right?
[Modified by Fevre, 12:34 PM 1/22/2003]
What happed to your orig tach? Think you just did the zz4 swap, right?
[Modified by Fevre, 12:34 PM 1/22/2003]
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,855
Likes: 0
From: Cocoa Beach FL
Re: Tachometer/Distributor Question (Fevre)
What happed to your orig tach? Think you just did the zz4 swap, right?
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
Likes: 1
From: Living in the Hartland
Re: Tachometer/Distributor Question (Mystery Machine)
By orig I meant the one that was on the motor you took out, did it have a tach drive on it? If so rebuilding that one and upgrading it would be cheaper than buying the MSD one. That being said I bought an MSD one too, plusg right into my MSD 6A.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,855
Likes: 0
From: Cocoa Beach FL
Re: Tachometer/Distributor Question (Fevre)
By orig I meant the one that was on the motor you took out, did it have a tach drive on it? If so rebuilding that one and upgrading it would be cheaper than buying the MSD one. That being said I bought an MSD one too, plusg right into my MSD 6A.
Thanks for all the replies!
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
Likes: 1
From: Living in the Hartland
Re: Tachometer/Distributor Question (Mystery Machine)
The box was on the car when I bought it and the Dist was about $280 from Summit. Def high dollar and questionable if I needed it. From what I understand any Multi Spark Distribution (where they got the name for MSD) system is really only needed when running a high duration cam. The multi spark helps burn the charge better at low rpm and helps smooth out the idle. The system actually goes to a single spark at high rpm's. I think the stock cam in the ZZ4 is borderline so you may or may not need the msd type system. The Formula I just bought does not have an msd system and idles a little rougher than the engine I have in my vette which has a longer duration cam in it. The Formula has an LT4 hot cam with 216 and 22? durations while my vette had 222 and 230 durations with the same 112 lope seperation. I even have a programable multi port fuel injection in the Formula and a good old carb in the vette.
[Modified by Fevre, 2:49 PM 1/22/2003]
[Modified by Fevre, 2:49 PM 1/22/2003]
Racer
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 339
Likes: 0
From: Ann Arbor MI
Re: Tachometer/Distributor Question (Mystery Machine)
I ran into the same situation when I purchased the ZZ5 FastBurn of which I also added the Hotcam kit. It came with an HEI, which I could have used if I didn't want to use my tach. Fortunately, my car came with an MSD set-up.
Also, I contemplated converting over to a 75/76 or newer tach, which I still might do in the future. But that some serious $$$$$. For now I'll be content with the MSD.
Kipp
[Modified by 1971Ultra, 9:10 PM 1/22/2003]
Also, I contemplated converting over to a 75/76 or newer tach, which I still might do in the future. But that some serious $$$$$. For now I'll be content with the MSD.
Kipp
[Modified by 1971Ultra, 9:10 PM 1/22/2003]
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Drifting
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 1,411
Likes: 1
From: Wylie TX
Re: Tachometer/Distributor Question (1971Ultra)
I got a '75 tach on ebay for $50. It took a while to find one at that price and until I found it, I had bought a AutoGauge tach with shift light for $35 on ebay that I strapped onto the steering column.