Hood tach/fiberglass hood advice?
 

Hey guys,

I'm strongly considering installing a hood tach on my '68. I've read through the other threads about this and it seems that if you've got a good '68 hood you shouldn't punch a hole in it for the hood tach.

Now I get that BUT my otherwise excellent hood already has a small rust hole in it. This year's round of things I'm doing will include an attempt at repair of this hole. I was thinking I could add a hood tach while I'm taking care of the hole.

After looking at the threads saying that you should try to keep the hood as pristine as possible I also got to thinking about putting on a fiberglass hood. As I checked into this the costs started to spiral (hood hinges, hood, hood pins). Even if I could swing this are any of the fiberglass hoods worth a damn? If so, which one(s)?

Am I missing anything with regard to the stuff I'd need for the fiberglass hood? I'm trying to get to a number I can stomach with the other stuff I'm doing. Don't know if I will.

I just punched a hole in my rust free original hood for a hood tach.

I labored over the decision, but now that the tach is in place I don't regret it for a second. IMO unless you've got a 100% matching numbers high dollar car or a survivor-type the idea of picking up a second hood just for a hood tach is kind of silly. I've never heard anyone say "Too bad that car has a hood tach."

If you are convinced you need a second hood, the metal repros are reasonably priced and apparently very good quality. You wouldn't have to deal with pins or new springs and it would require far less paint prep than a fiberglass one.

Well, that makes sense to me. My car is no longer original and never will be again (the original engine is long gone). I guess I might as well bite the bullet and take care of it. Plus it'll cost me a hell of a lot less.

I would eventually like to put a fiberglass hood on it but that will be when I can hopefully daily drive it.

Do you know if the PY hood tachs good? The Year One tach is about $80 more and I can't seem to figure out why. I always support PY whenever possible as they maintain this forum but I'd like ensure I'm getting the best for my cash.

Just thought of another caveat...if you intend on selling the hood to finance a fiberglass hood some day you might want to reconsider.

I bought my tach from PY. I haven't actually plugged it in yet, but it seems like a good piece. The shell needs a little finishing around the edges, but it fits the hood pretty well. I'll definitely be adding a third hole for the rivet though. I'd be curious to see how it compares to the ones Ames Performance offers because they claim theirs are the most accurate too.

If you pick one up, get a stick on template from PY member Sweetjudge. It made drilling the holes a snap.

Oh no. I'm not selling anything. If I went the fiberglass route I would remove the steel hood and hinges and store them in case I wanted to put the originals back on later.

I'll make sure to speak with Sweetjudge to see about a stick on template. Thanks for the tip!

if you want the hood tach do it...no one should sway your idea on YOUR car

Of course I'll be the one to make the final decision. That being said I was looking to get some advice from those who have gone before me. I think that the phrase "I've never heard anyone say 'Too bad that car has a hood tach.'" pretty much clinched it for me.

If the hood was as rare as the rest of the 68 stuff is then I didn't want to potentially screw it up if I could avoid it.

i feel it makes it more wanted and ads value..everyone wants hood tachs, and spoilers...

I added mine as a way to distract from the Verdoro Green.

"Ewww, that sure is an ugly...hey, a hood tach!"

Need a Dash Clock. Geez had them in the 80's & 90's. But noooo, not now.

Finally got around to take a pic of the tach in case you were still considering. Here's how it is straight out of the box and onto the car.

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...1&d=1333562602