Classic/Antique Car Repair/Edsel Questions

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Expert: - 8/12/2011


Question
I own a 1958 Edsel Citation very low production VIN and I am trying to repair the factory installed tachometer.  It is driven by the distributor shaft, and I have the cable connecting it to the tach.  I do not see how the shaft drove the cable.  I assume it was a gear, but it is gone.  Can you help? The engine is a 410 c.i.d. V-8 and I believe the distributor to be original.

Also,  On the same car, my gas gauge registers as long as the gauge itself is not grounded.  as soon as I mount the gauge to the mounting posts, it goes dead.  Any thoughts?  Thanks

Answer
The distributor for the tach equipped cars had a drive gear assembly built into the side of the distributor and the cable attached like a speedometer cable. If my memory serves me right, and I cannot find any reference otherwise, it is the same distributor body that was found on heavy duty Ford trucks with overhead valve engines. As far as the fuel gauge goes sounds like a short in the gage unit.

Classic/Antique Car Repair

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Brad Sears

Expertise

All automotive including antique and collectible. However if the car has been modified I can only answer in general terms and maybe get you pointed in the right direction.

Experience

Automotive tech instructor. Syndicated auto columnist 1970's though the early 1990's. Syndicated auto radio talk show, Ask Brad About cars, CBS Radio 70's through 90's TV Show "Last Chance Garage" 1980's PBS-TV syndicated. Auto instructor for the following companies: Fram Autolyte Holly Carter AMF Ford Motor University Of Conn Blue Hills Technical School Sugar River Technical Center Grew up in a family garage in Needham Mass and turned wrenches from the age of 14.

Publications
Manchester Union Leader, Nashua Telegraph, Motor Service Magazine, Yankee Magazine, Popular Mechanics (Saturday Mechanic early 80's), Los Angeles Times, New York Times, and lots more.

Education/Credentials
More than I care to remember. Basically Franklin Technical Institute in Boston, Northeastern University, Fitchburg State Teachers College, Tufts University, and a lot of factory schools along the way.

Awards and Honors
Moto Award winner. And much more.

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