Hopefuly one of the outboard mechanics will respond here. I suspect
that due to the age of that outboard and the fact that it's a Johnson,
you'll need a tach that you can set for 6 pulses per revolution. I
believe this cooresponds to a 12 pole alternator count. I have a '77
55hp that I needed a tach that I could set to the 6 pulses. My
brother's 100hp which is a bit older has the same setup.

-Jim

Paul Browne wrote:
First of all, thanks very much for replying!

Yes, I saw in my wiring diagram that there is indeed a gray wire marked tach
lead...does that mean that I connect the wire that is supposed to go to the
alternator to that one? And I keep reading about alternator pole count...how
would I set that up?


"IBNFSHN" wrote in message
news:FAvuc.3048$eP.631@lakeread01...

Outboard tachs connect to one of the leads from the stator. Usually a gray
lead.

--
Bill
Chesapeake, Va


"Paul Browne" wrote in message
newsRuuc.10550$ig5.4866@edtnps89...

I'm trying to put a tach on my '79 50hp Johnson (which has no

alternator),

and all I seem to be able to find are tachs that require an alternator
hookup. Does anyone know if it's possible to modify one of those to work

for

me, or know of a tach (other than the TinyTach clipon, I want a dash

mount

gauge) that will work? Any help/tips are greatly appreciated.