ANOTHER inquiry about pre-war big tachometer

[VictorBravo]

I have already searched through the archives for "big tach" and found several old threads. But nobody had a definitive answer as to what the instrument was originally from.

Does somebody know whether the big 3 in 1 tach was a Plymouth speedometer from 1936, a Studebaker gauge, a Chris Craft boat gauge, or what???

I want to have a realistic looking one for my 1940, but I specifically don't want to take a genuine antique Taylorcraft part out of a real restorer's hands... my airplane is somewhat customized and will remain that way while I own it.

So if a '36 Plymouth speedometer is what T-craft started out with, I'll find a busted up one of those and have Keystone or whoever fix it.

It would just be a lot easier if I could know where it came from. I looked through Chet Peek's book (thanks again for a masterpiece, Sir), and could not find anything that definitively identified the gauge.

[1938BF50]

Re: ANOTHER inquiry about pre-war big tachometer

Bill,

I too, have come up empty handed on this one. I have been told by a couple old timers that it is indeed a 36 Dodge. I have searched the web and come up empty for info confirming this. I will post a question to the Dodge Club I was a member of a while back. I'll let you know what I find.

[flylo]

Re: ANOTHER inquiry about pre-war big tachometer

I have a '36 Plymoth & that's not it.I do have a extra very nice "big tach" missing the oil temp/pressure gauges if anyone needs one.It's just going to sit on my shelf.

[VictorBravo]

Re: ANOTHER inquiry about pre-war big tachometer

Well Eric, as I said I specifically don't want to take a real genuine one out of circulation and handicap a real antique restorer... I was hoping to find an old Dodge gauge (or whatever) and put different guts in it or something. Even electric units for that matter. All I want is a reasonably accurate rpelica, not a Grand Champion trophy.

My idea was to have the brushed "engine turned" aluminum panel as shown on page 76 of Chet Peek's book. I have a panel mounted radio, which I would put into a "glove box" type opening on the pilot's side, and have a hinged cover.

It won't be anywhere near an authentic restoration, but then I'm not giving up my skylight, my metal prop, my really good working radio, my visibly mounted GPS, etc either!

[VictorBravo]

Re: ANOTHER inquiry about pre-war big tachometer

I have been told by a couple old timers that it is indeed a 36 Dodge. I have searched the web and come up empty for info confirming this. I will post a question to the Dodge Club I was a member of a while back. I'll let you know what I find.

Thanks Mike. I am assuming it was originally a speedometer, since I don't think they came with tachometers???

If any of the Dodge Club guys have a reasonably priced source for an old one I can have restored, I'd be glad to hear about it.

The truth is that for my "replica" purposes, I can also make one out of modern electronic or mechanical instruments and have the face printed to look line the original. if old Dodge parts have gotten too expensive, I'll do it that way. It's not a high priority right now, just a wish list thing

Bill

[1938BF50]

Re: ANOTHER inquiry about pre-war big tachometer

I called Stewart Warner customer service (Mexico) and got the following info.

Yes, Stewart Warner did make the tach. All records, brochures, parts, etc., went to a Chicago landfill in the late 1980's after aquisition of the company by another interest who only wanted to service current products. He had no idea if it had any other use (or was adapted from) another product. Those engineers (and all records) are long gone. Perhaps Keystone can shed some light on the issue?