Technical information

AUTOTRONIC CONTROLS CORPORATION • 1490 HENRY BRENNAN, EL PASO, TEXAS 79936 • [phone] • FAX [phone]
www.msdignition.com email: [e-mail]
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TACHOMETER INFORMATION
This section is designed to aid you in the installation of any aftermarket, or factory tachometer. The Tach Output
Terminal on the MSD Ignition Unit produces a 12V, square wave signal with a 30% duty cycle which will drive most
tachometers, however, some may require either an MSD PN 8910, PN 8910EIS or PN 8920 Tach Adapter.
The installation and operation of the tachometer is going to depend on how the MSD Ignition Unit is installed on
the vehicle. The MSD Ignition Unit is installed either using the WHITE wire for triggering or the Magnetic Connector.
Below is a chart listing some popular aftermarket tachometer brand names and the names of some auto
manufacturer's factory tachometers and which Tach Adapter may be required. The trigger wire on tachometers that
are marked NONE may be connected to the Tach Output Terminal on the MSD Ignition Unit using the supplied
female faston terminal.
AFTERMARKET TACHOMETERS WHITE WIRE TRIGGER MAGNETIC TRIGGER CONNECTOR
AUTOGAGE 8910* 8920
AUTOMETER NONE NONE
CLASSIC 8910* 8920
DIXCO 8910* 8920
FARIA 8910* 8920
FORD MOTORSPORTS NONE NONE
MSD FAST TACH NONE NONE
MALLORY NONE NONE
MEDALLION 8910* 8920
MOROSO NONE NONE
PRO-FORM 8910* 8920
SMITH (2000 and older) 8920* 8920
STEWART WARNER 8910* 8920
S.W. & BI TORX NONE NONE
SUN 8910* 8920
VEGLIA BORLETTI 8910* 8920
VDO (1999 and older) 8910* 8920
VDO (2000 and newer) NONE NONE
*If your installation is being used on a factory style electronic ignition, use PN 8910EIS
FACTORY TACHOMETERS WHITE WIRE TRIGGER MAGNETIC TRIGGER CONNECTOR
AMC SEE NOTE #1 - 8910 SEE NOTE #1 - 8920
CHRYSLER 8910 8920
FORD (Before 1976) SEE NOTE #1 - 8910 SEE NOTE #1 - 8920
FORD (After 1976) SEE NOTE #2 - 8910 SEE NOTE #2 - 8920
GENERAL MOTORS SEE NOTE #3 SEE NOTE #3
IMPORTS SEE NOTE #1 - 8910 SEE NOTE #1 - 8920
Notes are on following pages.
Note: For DIS, multichannel, equipped vehicles, MSD offers a two channel Tach Adapter, PN 8912. The MSD DIS-2
would require one, while the DIS-4 Ignitions would need two PN 8912, for certain applications. See page 124.