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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
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
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.:shrug:
86GTPONY
10-14-2008, 07:56 PM
True,but with his being an '86,should'nt be the same up to '93? Same distributor,coil,etc.:shrug:
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
True,but with his being an '86,should'nt be the same up to '93? Same distributor,coil,etc.:shrug:

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
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
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
LeeH
10-16-2008, 11:14 PM
Pretty sure all tachs produced 79-86 were setup that way. All of ones I have seen had a cylinder selector

I think the last ones were 85 4bbl cars, I think the 85 CFI and 86s were different.