Tachometer drive

Brad Buchanan · Sep 10, 2015

Hey folks.

I am repairing a Ford 4500 TLB for personal use.

It has the 172 c.i. three cylinder diesel.

As far as I can tell originally this machine had a tach which ran off the generator which is long gone.

I would like to install a 'one wire' delco alternator but need the tachometer functional.

What might some options be?

Thanks,

Brad

John Deere D · Sep 10, 2015

try yesterdays tractors
try e-bay.

RM-MN · Sep 10, 2015

Does your tractor have a fitting with a plug like in this picture, just underneath the oil filter? That's wehere the tachometer hooks up on my 3600.

https://www.google.com/search?q=Ford+4500+tachometer+drive&tbm=isch&imgil=9CSbiXzYvous_M%253A%253Bsmi6A4bqd5b4FM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fforums.yesterdaystractors.com%25252Fviewtopic.php%25253Fp%2525253D7424669%25252526sid%2525253D4d82fec08e70f2fb3eea6e36e75e0264&source=iu&pf=m&fir=9CSbiXzYvous_M%253A%252Csmi6A4bqd5b4FM%252C_&biw=1024&bih=623&usg=__jyeYjoqRiZz-CR5IGgYzC62IP84%3D&ved=0CEsQyjdqFQoTCNXY95Tu7McCFVIqiAodkSUIqg&ei=QKzxVdW4KdLUoASRy6DQCg#imgrc=9CSbiXzYvous_M%3A&usg=__jyeYjoqRiZz-CR5IGgYzC62IP84%3D

RodinNS · Sep 11, 2015

The options are... install the alternator pictured below which costs about 350 bucks... OR if the engine is post 1972 and has the welch plug below the oil filter rather than the threaded plug... THEN you can convert the instruments to the more modern style and drive the tach off the oil pump drive shaft. Doing this conversion requires the newer style instrument cluster, cable, drive, oil pump drive shaft... and possibly changes in the temperature sender depending on what instrument cluster you get. This will cost more up front than installing the alternator pictured unless the instruments are already bad... then it' a wash.
My own preference is to convert the instruments and install a very basic Delco reman alt from NAPA rather than that expensive bugger with a specialized rotor that nobody else has... Someday the alt will fail and you'll have the option of buying a 100 buck job or 350 job...

Rod

JohnHe · Sep 12, 2015

Do these tachs have to be adjusted for different tractors to get accurate readings or do you buy a specific tach for specific tractor?

RodinNS · Sep 12, 2015

These tachs are mechanically driven and are the same for most models of Fords in a particular vintage... For that matter, most mechanical tach work on the same on various makes/models.

Rod

Ozlander · Sep 12, 2015

(quoted from post at 04:55:16 09/12/15) Do these tachs have to be adjusted for different tractors to get accurate readings or do you buy a specific tach for specific tractor?

You have to use the original size pulley on the alternator,
then you get approx. the right rpm reading.

Tachometer drive

Brad Buchanan

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John Deere D

Well-known Member

RM-MN

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RodinNS

Well-known Member

JohnHe

New User

RodinNS

Well-known Member

Ozlander

Well-known Member

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