280ZX tachometer into 240Z housing

[@kyushaspeed]

I hope this contained enough information for you to be able to swap your own tachometer internals to suit the tach housing for your dash! Let me know if you like this video with a like and/or a comment. Check out my store for awesome shirts here: builtonpurpose.co/shop/

[@alienpoker]

Good info. I still use the original 240Z Tach, which seems very accurate compared to a known measurement of engine RPM. I have smoked one once. Not good to connect them up wrong and let the smoke out behind & in your tach. This is good to know! I may rebuild one now with confidence. Subscribed and liked. Glad I found your channel.

[@kyushaspeed]

Glad to have helped! Good luck with the rebuild! What year is your 240Z?

[@alienpoker]

@Aaron Neubauer - Built On Purpose I have a couple of Zs. A ‘73 that’s a driver and I’m building a’72 that sat in someone’s garage fir 15yrs as a project he never completed. That one will be a racecar. The racer will get a Dave Rebello racing engine (L28 Stroker with triple Webbers, header etc) about 3.2L when he’s done. That’s the one I’m running the MSD6AL and a 8920 tach adapter on. Also Mallory or a 123ignition Tune+ dizzy. Both are points-freel (optical) Haven’t decided which dizzy will work better, or if an old Nissan matchbox one with different advance curves. A dyno will tell the truth or about $900 and a day tuning. Have you heard of the Speedmaster PCE387.1002 ? I think it works like the MSD8920 for ‘magnetic pickup’ conversion but can also drive the 240Z current loop if wired up right. It’s also slightly cheaper. I’m also into designing circuit boards, I didn’t do this one but it is for a board which adds 240Z PCM to voltage driven input on the back of the tacho. And it’s very accurate. Clever. www.dinoplex.org/tachoconversion/ Cheers. Your channel has been very informative.

[@ferdinand2506]

can you show how to connect a MSD tach adapter please Mate

[@darrellcabanting8389]

Is there a way to test the tachometer to make sure it works before putting it back in the dash? I am restoring a 73 240Z barn find (been sitting since 1994) and I have pulled the dashboard out of the car! I know the tach is not working correctly because the previous owner had an aftermarket tach placed in front of the tach in the dash. Want to figure how to test the 240z tach and if I replace it want to test the replacement to make sure it works before putting the dash back in. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

[@kyushaspeed]

An appropriate rpm signal is required to simulate running conditions. You can get that from a running car or a signal generator. An electronics specialist might be able to assist if dummy wiring the tach to an operating car is difficult.

[@munchinontacos9817]

any advice on a 280z tach that is not working properly? the needle doesn't seem to move and is stuck on 3k rpm

[@kyushaspeed]

You could open up the tach and check for obstructions to the needle eg. Bend needle from heat and it grounds on the fascia. If there is nothing mechanical wrong with the tach then it has probably failed.

[@munchinontacos9817]

@@kyushaspeed thank you for your advice much appreciated and I love the videos, I just recently bought my 78 280z and I’m really happy to start working on it and you really make it easier keep up the good work cheers

[@abdullaalmansoori1986]

Is the swap for more accurate reading? Does it jump when you rev the engine?

[@kyushaspeed]

The tach is very stable and accurate. No jumping observed.

[@gav240z]

Is the 280zx tach more compatible with an MSD 6AL CDI set up? Is that why you swap out the 240z 1?

[@kyushaspeed]

My 240Z tach was cooked however it will not be suitable for use with a MSD unit as the coil is directly connected to the MSD not the factory wiring that loops past the tach. In my opinion the 280ZX tach is superior. I note Speed Hut make Z car themed tachs now too.

[@luiselizondo2680]

Hi Aaron, I have a 240Z tach, but my datsun is a 1200 UTE (B120) Is there a way to modify my tach made for 6 cylinders to be able to use it in 4 cylinders? There are tach like the autometers that have a selector for 4-6 and 8 cylinders, but I don't know if the 240Z has ..... Thanks for the help.

[@kyushaspeed]

Hmm. I don’t think there is a simple solution to that. The factory tachs are set to a number of cylinders. The least painful way would be convert your 4 cylinder signal into a 6 cylinder signal. That’s adding 50% more 4 cylinder pulses and would need some kind of signal converter. Im not sure if a manufacturer like MSD might make something suitable. Another option is to fit different tach internals if your looking to keep the 240Z tach look.

[@luiselizondo6349]

@@kyushaspeed Thank you very much for your prompt response, correct I need to find the option to adjust internally and maintain the look of the 240z tach that is very similar to the one that comes in the datsun GX coupe KB110, I will look for options in MSD, I hope I can share good news , Cheers.

[@alienpoker]

Hi - is this the unit you would need to buy for the ‘guts’ of a 280ZX tach to replace into a 240Z housing? It looks nothing like the one you’re taking apart. rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F293039830984 So you do mean 280ZX? Which years had the matchbox E12-80 dizzy?

[@kyushaspeed]

sorry for the belated reply. It was a tach from a 280ZX that had the E12-90 dizzy.

[@aponski]

280ZX or 280Z ?

[@kyushaspeed]

aponski 280ZX from a car running the E12-80 matchbox distributor.