Tach drive circuit board

[Jim Olson]

I went to order a new tach drive circuit board from Studebaker Intl a few minutes ago and they asked a question I couldn't answer. They need to know if it's for an early 63 or later 63. They come in either round or rectangle. Where is the board? and what is considered early versus late? Thanks again for your help. Jim O

[Gunslinger]

Look under the dash on the passenger side. The tach sending unit is mounted adjacent to the steering column...either a round can or a rectangular box. Either will have wires attached and are quite obvious once you look there. More than likely you have the round spam can if it's a '63. To be a late '63 your car's serial number would probably be in the upper 4000's. I used to own R4341 and it had the round sending unit.

[Jim Olson]

Look under the dash on the passenger side. The tach sending unit is mounted adjacent to the steering column...either a round can or a rectangular box. Either will have wires attached and are quite obvious once you look there. More than likely you have the round spam can if it's a '63. To be a late '63 your car's serial number would probably be in the upper 4000's. I used to own R4341 and it had the round sending unit.

I looked high and low and couldn't find it, maybe that's why the tach doesn't work. I have ac so maybe it's hidden?? Is it mounted on the dash or fire wall? I ordered a round unit to be on the safe side. thanks JimO

[Gunslinger]

It doesn't matter whether the car has a/c or not as the a/c stuff doesn't interfere...it should be mounted next to the steering column on the metal cross brace (Z-bar) that goes across under the dash. If it's there, it should be quite obvious. It will have several wires leading to and from it.

[Jim Olson]

It doesn't matter whether the car has a/c or not as the a/c stuff doesn't interfere...it should be mounted next to the steering column on the metal cross brace (Z-bar) that goes across under the dash. If it's there, it should be quite obvious. It will have several wires leading to and from it.

Ok Thanks I'll look again but if it's that obvious it must not be there thus the tach inop. It'll be nice to see some rpm's on the gauge. Jimo

[Jim Olson]

It doesn't matter whether the car has a/c or not as the a/c stuff doesn't interfere...it should be mounted next to the steering column on the metal cross brace (Z-bar) that goes across under the dash. If it's there, it should be quite obvious. It will have several wires leading to and from it.

Well this car doesn't have the can with the circuit board. I have the new circular board but no can to put it in. I've been looking at the Stud Intl catalog and they sell the rectangular complete replacement unit, so I might order one of those since I don't have the can. What do you think?? JimO

[Gunslinger]

That sounds reasonable. The parts manual shows that two tachs were used...one for R1 and R2 cars and another for R3 and R4 equipped vehicles. It doesn't appear to matter which tach sender is used as all R1's and R2's used the same tach. The only specific difference in tach senders mentioned in one was for transistor ignitions...part of the R3/R4 package but optional on R1's and R2's.

While that's not a definitive answer it does sound like it should be ok. You might want to check with SI or another vendor and ask that question for sure.