MSD Tach adapter

86GTPONY · 10-13-2008, 05:31 PM

I finished up my MSD install and remembered...Crap! My factory tach won't work. I really want to use the factory tach on my 86, but I'm not sure which adapter. MSD-8910 or 8920? Thanks!!!

86GTPONY · 10-14-2008, 04:19 PM

I just got off the phone with MSD's tech department and they said 95% of the time the factory tach will work...but if it don't, then use a 8910 adapter. I got one ordered...gotta wait & see.

EHardy1971 · 10-14-2008, 04:46 PM

My factory tach still works with my MSD 5. The only ones I know of that really need a tach adapter are the DIS systems.

LeeH · 10-14-2008, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EHardy1971

My factory tach still works with my MSD 5. The only ones I know of that really need a tach adapter are the DIS systems.

It depends if its current or voltage triggered, I think the change was in 85 or 86.

EHardy1971 · 10-14-2008, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeeH

It depends if its current or voltage triggered, I think the change was in 85 or 86.

True,but with his being an '86,should'nt be the same up to '93? Same distributor,coil,etc.

86GTPONY · 10-14-2008, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EHardy1971

True,but with his being an '86,should'nt be the same up to '93? Same distributor,coil,etc.

One would think...but when I converted to mass air, I had issues. I was gonna change the wiring harness - I got one from an 89 along with the A9L, but the harness was WAY different. My 86 main engine harness doesn't have the coil plug on it, it's on another harness coming from the driver's side. A few other plugs were different too. So, I went the other route. I did an "add on" style mass air harness to the existing main harness. I have googled this problem and found that I'm not the only one. I'll just wait & see.

LeeH · 10-14-2008, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EHardy1971

True,but with his being an '86,should'nt be the same up to '93? Same distributor,coil,etc.

Well you are right but the only way to know for sure is to look at the back of tach and see if it has the rotary switch labeled 4,6,8. I know my 82 capri wont work with my 6AL but my 90 works with my 6T.

EHardy1971 · 10-14-2008, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeeH

Well you are right but the only way to know for sure is to look at the back of tach and see if it has the rotary switch labeled 4,6,8. I know my 82 capri wont work with my 6AL but my 90 works with my 6T.

Ok,I gotcha! My old '79 Capri had that type of tach in it,I had to adjust it because somebody had it on the 4 cyl setting.

86GTPONY · 10-16-2008, 06:00 PM

Okay, I got the 8910 from Summit today. Plugged the two wires in and I now have a working tach! I'm also thankful it wasn't the 8920 as that one cost twice as much.

QWKSNKE · 10-16-2008, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeeH

to look at the back of tach and see if it has the rotary switch labeled 4,6,8. .

Pretty sure all tachs produced 79-86 were setup that way. All of ones I have seen had a cylinder selector

10-13-2008, 05:31 PM	#1
86GTPONY Gone but not forgotten Join Date: May 2008 Location: 4/08/2013. Went to the man upstairs. RIP Posts: 955	MSD Tach adapter I finished up my MSD install and remembered...Crap! My factory tach won't work. I really want to use the factory tach on my 86, but I'm not sure which adapter. MSD-8910 or 8920? Thanks!!! __________________ *-Don* 86GT (sleeping in the garage for now) 87 T-bird Turbo Coupe (daily driver) 87 Ranger ($100 work truck) Meat is murder!... Tasty, tasty murder.

10-14-2008, 04:19 PM	#2
86GTPONY Gone but not forgotten Join Date: May 2008 Location: 4/08/2013. Went to the man upstairs. RIP Posts: 955	I just got off the phone with MSD's tech department and they said 95% of the time the factory tach will work...but if it don't, then use a 8910 adapter. I got one ordered...gotta wait & see. __________________ *-Don* 86GT (sleeping in the garage for now) 87 T-bird Turbo Coupe (daily driver) 87 Ranger ($100 work truck) Meat is murder!... Tasty, tasty murder.

10-14-2008, 04:46 PM	#3
EHardy1971 Trunk Monkey Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Home Posts: 5,708	My factory tach still works with my MSD 5. The only ones I know of that really need a tach adapter are the DIS systems. __________________ Eric 89 LX Coupe-Juiced 01 Lightning-Boost 06 TBSS

10-16-2008, 06:00 PM	#9
86GTPONY Gone but not forgotten Join Date: May 2008 Location: 4/08/2013. Went to the man upstairs. RIP Posts: 955	Okay, I got the 8910 from Summit today. Plugged the two wires in and I now have a working tach! I'm also thankful it wasn't the 8920 as that one cost twice as much. __________________ *-Don* 86GT (sleeping in the garage for now) 87 T-bird Turbo Coupe (daily driver) 87 Ranger ($100 work truck) Meat is murder!... Tasty, tasty murder.