After a new engine build, i feel its time to have a bit better insight into what is happening in the negine bay by installing gauges.

Smiths Gauges seem to be the way to go as they just look right in a mini rather than a new LED type setup.

Is there much/any difference between the original 60s tachos from Smiths compared to the newly manufactured ones?

Final Q - other than making you feel like a King due to its cool factor, is these any point in a 10k tacho over a 7 or 8k tacho (for a warm 1098)

I recall the 10k Tacho being pretty pricey back in the day, but now they are pretty much the same price as an 8k if buying new.

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1964 MORRIS 850 - POST ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE CAFE RACER INSPIRED.

https://spotify.link/D0P4KtIP2yb

1098 +0.40
266 Kent Cam
GR Flat top pistons
HS6
1.3:1 Roller tip rockers
Stupid high CR

There’s a couple of things to watch for on the old ones:
Positive/negative earth
RVI/RVC signal sensing
They can also be a bit wobbly

You can get kits for the old ones to put new reliable and stable readings (try Spiyda) or your local gauge repair shop

All you ever want to know about the old ones is here:
https://www.triumphclub.co.nz/wp-conten ... ters-1.pdf

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Some of the new smiths gauges (oil/temp) can be a bit dodgy. I had a new electric temp gauge fail out of the box (i now have 2 dead elect temp gauges) and have heard similar reports of them failing so ended up with a vdo mechanical temp gauge - i prefer the smiths look, but want to have reliable indication on what the engine is doing. Ebay is also flooded with knock-offs so just beware of where you purchase from.

I did recently put new smiths 8k tacho in, no problem with that & looks great, but like you say is $$, and all the other brands like vdo are similar price. I don't intend on taking my warm 1100 over 6k too often, didn't want 10k on the dial just begging me to try.

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1966 Mini Deluxe - “Gabby” 34 years under restoration and counting...
1970 MGBGT
1959 MGA

I have fitted a few Autogage 2300, 8000 rpm tachos to Minis recently.
They are better damped than a Smiths and easy to mount, I screwed their standard mounting bracket to the RH side of the Mini K/MK2 S binnacle.
They are about 1/2 the price of a Smiths and similar size.
Black. Made by Autometer.
Edit
around $150 on eBay.
Edit 2
3-1/2" dia, has redline pointer, but no trendy shift lights...

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

VDO have gauges in various styles which don't look crazy.

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1986 Mayfair (998 auto), 1974 S, 1974 Van, 1972 PMG Van

Too many minis

Have a look at one of the UK Motorsport suppliers (I like Merlin Motorsport) for tachometer options. There are quite a few with a period look but modern innards.

IMHO the old Smiths tachos aren’t really worth having unless you are lucky enough to be able to (or have someone who can) build a filter box to smooth out the input signal. Without this mine used to just wander around once you went over 3K....

Cheers, Ian

One of my Minis is equipped with an Ultra brand 90mm 8k tacho. I know nothing about it at all, except it is mounted, connected, and works perfectly.

Cheers

Thanks all for the feedback.

As much as I REALLY wanted Smiths gauges incl. Tacho.

After my recent engine build, the funds are looking a little dry, so I have opted for some generic after market gauges (yet to add a tacho to that list)

Maybe one day down the track, I will 'upgrades' to Smiths, but for now, I will get Oil Pressure, Water Temp and tacho for less than the price of a Smith 8k Tacho.

_________________
1964 MORRIS 850 - POST ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE CAFE RACER INSPIRED.

https://spotify.link/D0P4KtIP2yb

1098 +0.40
266 Kent Cam
GR Flat top pistons
HS6
1.3:1 Roller tip rockers
Stupid high CR

I also have a "need to know" personality (condition?)
A voltmeter gives a good indication of the battery and alternator condition: before they die. It can even show a broken fanbelt for a minute before it overheats, but even I don't fixate that much on the gauges.
My gauges are LED (yuk) but can be taken off the dash and hidden under the seat for shows.
Remember that even the tacho was not original so you are changing the look with any add-on.
(Ammeters were on many old cars but require ALL battery current to go through the dash. A frayed wire and it is all over. Modern LED ammeters use a sensor on the battery negative cable)
Dave D

Thanks Dave, my mini is so far from original- so keeping g originality isn't a huge concern at this point.

_________________
1964 MORRIS 850 - POST ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE CAFE RACER INSPIRED.

https://spotify.link/D0P4KtIP2yb

1098 +0.40
266 Kent Cam
GR Flat top pistons
HS6
1.3:1 Roller tip rockers
Stupid high CR