can whlvr 993 #1 Posted February 10, 2012 so i broke down and purchased an rpm tester yesterday,i couldnt tell how fast my new rebuilt engine was turning(or any of the others for that matter)tried it out and it said she was only running at 3000,im going to speed her up to 3500 tomorow and check the others,maybe the 312 will have a little more power then,ill post pics of it tommorw Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kelly 1,029 #2 Posted February 10, 2012 What kind did you get?? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 41,017 #3 Posted February 10, 2012 I got a cheapie infared tach from Harbor Frieght. It works quite well believe it or not. The hardest thing is getting the reflective tape to stick good. Brake cleaner works wonders. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wheelhorse656 20 #4 Posted February 10, 2012 I got a cheapie infared tach from Harbor Frieght. It works quite well believe it or not. The hardest thing is getting the reflective tape to stick good. Brake cleaner works wonders. I have the same one but mine is not the infared its the one you have to put on the crank workes great I love it!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
can whlvr 993 #5 Posted February 11, 2012 sorry that ive got no pics today,wify took the camera today when she was meeting some freinds for dinner,tommorow,its a cheap one too kelly,its called power fist,which is from a company we have here that is an auto,farm,welding,all kinds of stuff store,its called princess auto,they sell mostly chinese junk,but they do have some good stuff also,this rpm gauge is chinese,but for the 2 or 3 times a year i will use it it should work,i adjusted the newly rebuilt 12 magnum and what a difference 500 rpm makes,shes got a fair bit more power and seems to run even better,i tested my 1989 414 and it was 3550,and it sounds just right at that,i hope im not over turning the 312 because of the hydro drag on her,i bet if i took the belt off shed be spinning faster than 3500 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gregg'shorses 77 #6 Posted February 11, 2012 Princess Auto is the Canadian equivilent of Harbor Freight. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
massey 118 #7 Posted February 11, 2012 Is it this one? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Martin 2,131 #8 Posted February 11, 2012 ive got one of these tachs and when i first used it it was ok. it doesnt always read the tape accurate even when you put the tape on a really non reflective surface. its a cheap chinese one as well, i guess i shouldnt expect too much, not even sure what i paid for it now but it was really cheap. the display jumps around quite a lot trying to determine a reading and after a while i just get frustrated with it and give up. i dont like the hassle of the tape either...... i left a really nice one back home with my brother when i left oz, it was a 12v and clamp on the spark wire deal and you would just set a dial to single, 2,4,6 or 8 cyl. it was fairly old, something my dad had for years before i was around. should have been one thing i brought over with me. guess i will end up getting something similar if i can find it. or get my brother to ship it to me...... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hydro 131 #9 Posted February 11, 2012 I want to get my M16 checked out. I was thinking of installing a tach but not sure what to use. One I found on the net was for the K series with the exposed coil. Since mine is a Magnum not sure if it would work or where to hook it up. I have no problem with basic nuts and bolts and maintenance things, filters, oil, bearings and the like but beyond that I'm just smart enought to be dangerous. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HorseFixer 2,012 #10 Posted February 11, 2012 I use one of those knock off tiny tachs off of fleebay they also are an hour meter. The only problem the Battery only lasts 5 years but there are guys who have got around that, ~Duke Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wheelhorse656 20 #11 Posted February 11, 2012 have this one http://www.harborfreight.com/digital-contact-tachometer-66400.html Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
can whlvr 993 #12 Posted February 12, 2012 mine is a bit different then those but the same principal,it was 75 bucks,for a chinese poj,it better be somewhat accurate,like i posted earlier by ear my 414 # 2 sounded perfect,ive had a wheelhorse for almost 30 years so ive listened to a kohler before,the 414 was right where it should be,but the 12hp was way low,so im happy to get this tool,it will be handy,i promise pics tomorow,no time today Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
can whlvr 993 #13 Posted February 13, 2012 heres some pics of the tester,dont know who makes it,as gregg said its from a place like harbour freight Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MaineDad 85 #14 Posted February 13, 2012 Guys: I use one of these; http://www.treysit.com/16.html Very simple and easy to use... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Martin 2,131 #15 Posted February 13, 2012 where did you purchase one of these, MaineDad? im interested in finding out a little more about it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
73-18 automatic 8 #16 Posted February 13, 2012 Sometimes they are also called vibratach Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AMC RULES 37,126 #17 Posted February 13, 2012 The price seems right. Is there any way built in, to test or confirm their accuracy? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Martin 2,131 #18 Posted February 13, 2012 just been doing some more reading...... found this thread on the old site, interesting reading.... http://whtractor.15.forumer.com/index.php?showtopic=7664 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sorekiwi 761 #19 Posted February 13, 2012 The Sirometer is the one I usually use. I have a Snap-on electronic that plugs into a multimeter and plugs onto the spark plug lead with an inductive clamp as well. Somedays it gives me good results, other days it jumps around so much that its useless. The Sirometer gives good results every time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rmaynard 15,421 #20 Posted February 13, 2012 From an earlier post: I have a laser tachometer. Cost me about $8.00 on Amazon.com http://www.amazon.co...duct/B001N4QY66 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Martin 2,131 #21 Posted February 13, 2012 From an earlier post: I have a laser tachometer. Cost me about $8.00 on Amazon.com http://www.amazon.co...duct/B001N4QY66 bob, thats the exact one ive got. purchased off amazon as well. i think thats what i paid as well.. im glad thats all it was as i wasnt real impressed with it, display jumps around and makes it hard to get an accurate reading. also the tape is a pita. it stopped working about a month ago, had it about 6 months, i guess. you might have had more luck than me, though........ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WheelHorse_of_course 99 #22 Posted February 13, 2012 I like the sirometers too. I have also used mine on my 3-cylinder EFI cushman. Even if it had a traditional ignition I have yet to see an electronic tach that will work with a 3 cylinder! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kelly 1,029 #23 Posted February 13, 2012 I bought a small engine tach from a tool truck and I hate it the digital display jumps all over, useless to me. I plan to try a Vibratach from Briggs Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Buckshot 1 15 #24 Posted February 13, 2012 I also have the laser tach from Amazon. I checked it with my Tiny Tach. on two different engines and it was within 5 rpm's. Like it was stated, shiny surfaces, it wanted to jump around. I painted the pto shafts flat black and the installed the tape and got a steady rpm. I too take the battery out after every use. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 17,645 #25 Posted February 13, 2012 I use white paint from a paint pen instead of the tape with my cheapy. ( I use the white paint pen to mark the date and hours on the hydro filters.) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
