[RamAirJohn]

PONTIAC HOOD TACH INFO:

1) Pontiac produced (2) basic Hood Tachs;
1st Style (tall case; 3.00") entered production in Feb/Mar '67 This was used until supplies were exhausted up until sometime in Jan. '68 on Firebirds. The 2nd Style was the shorter case (2.25") which remained unchanged until it was last used on the '72 model cars.

2) 1st Style Hood Tachs used (1) bulb; 2nd Style-(2)(No. 168 is the bulb type/size). Bulb socket is identical to that used on
'70-'72 Tempest tailights (and others).

3) Hood Tach Assy Part Numbers:
67-68 F/6 6468670 (6500 redline)
67 F/8 6468675
67 T/6 6468436
67 P/8, T/8 6468410
68 F/6, T/6 6468956 (5500 redline)
68 F/8, T/8, P/8 6468972
69 F/8, T/8, GP-8 6469694
69 F/6, F/8 6469689
68-72 All V/8 5657097

4) 1st Style Face colors for Firebird: green on black. A & B bodies: white on steel blue background. 2nd Style: white on steel blue ('68 only) '69 - '72 used white on black.

5) 1st Style had "RPM X100" on face w/blank 'tab' over needle pivot. 2nd Style had "RPM" on 'tab' over needle pivot. Both styles had "PONTIAC" on face.

6) 1st Style OHC tach was 6500 redline. This was changed to 5500 near end of April 1967 (for '68 models). Some early '68s may have used left-over
'67 units. 1st Style V-8 redline was 5200 redline (approx). The 5500 redline did not appear on the 1st Style (tall) OHC Hood Tachs. This change took place in the early part of production for '68 model year cars on the 2nd Style (short) Tach. Obviously, since most '68 Firebirds built
up into Jan.'68 used this 'Tall' Hood Tach, many still had a 6500 redline. For some reason, the early '68 GTOs received the 2nd style (short) Hood Tach before the early '68 Firebirds.

7) 2nd Style face started out as a 'circular' pattern for the RPM indicator graphics. This changed to an easier to read 'oval' design two months later (June '67) although examples of the circular face have been found in cars with build dates into Nov. '67. Redline color was Red until mid-way through 1970 when it was changed to a
fluorescent Orange as it remained till the end ('72).

8) 2nd Style, circular & oval face pattern used (2) different redlines:
5100 and 5500. There is speculation that RAII used the 6Cyl 5500 redline however,
no part books support this. All others used 5100 redline.

9) Rarest of all Hood Tachs would have to be the prototype version planned for the RAV application. This had a shift indicator light display at the bottom. Only known one is on a '69 Judge RAV built by "Purely PMD" (1980s).

10) '70-'72 Hood Tachs included a hose/filter to eliminate condensation. All Hood Tachs included a rivet in addition to the (4) studs/nuts (anti-theft).

11) Reproduction Hood Tachs have improved significantly since they first appeared almost 20yrs ago. Improvements have been made with regard to lighting, circuitry and sealing to keep moisture out. Some faces are of a translucent plastic while others have silk-screened, metal faces (or adhesive applied vinyl overlay).
Some cheaper versions have the face trim molded as one-piece. Edges at face are somewhat 'softer' (rounded) than originals.

12) GM also produced a Hood Tach for the early ('70-'72) Buick GSX. This is essentially the same Tach except for "BUICK" on the face. Additionally, there was a 'generic' Hood Tach produced by GM with the "AC/DELCO" name on
the face (used by Yenko & Motion). AMC also used a variant of the AC/Delco style.
An aftermarket "DIXCO" Hood Tach was made in the 60s/70s (with "DIXCO" on face). This case differs from the GM unit. These were also used on some Mustangs & MoPars(dealer accessory).

13) There are several well-known authorities who restore original Hood Tachs to include
re-silk screening the original face, new circuit board, rebuilt or new movement (head) and
case/trim repair/replacement This would be for the concours types as prices can exceed the
$250 or so for a new repro unit.

NOTE:
IF YOU HAVE CORRECTIONS TO THIS INFO, PLEASE LET ME KNOW. THANKS.

[RamAirJohn]

PONTIAC HOOD TACH INFO:

1) Pontiac produced (2) basic Hood Tachs;
1st Style (tall case; 3.00") entered production in Feb/Mar '67 This was used until supplies were exhausted up until sometime in Jan. '68 on Firebirds. The 2nd Style was the shorter case (2.25") which remained unchanged until it was last used on the '72 model cars.

2) 1st Style Hood Tachs used (1) bulb; 2nd Style-(2)(No. 168 is the bulb type/size). Bulb socket is identical to that used on
'70-'72 Tempest tailights (and others).

3) Hood Tach Assy Part Numbers:
67-68 F/6 6468670 (6500 redline)
67 F/8 6468675
67 T/6 6468436
67 P/8, T/8 6468410
68 F/6, T/6 6468956 (5500 redline)
68 F/8, T/8, P/8 6468972
69 F/8, T/8, GP-8 6469694
69 F/6, F/8 6469689
68-72 All V/8 5657097

4) 1st Style Face colors for Firebird: green on black. A & B bodies: white on steel blue background. 2nd Style: white on steel blue ('68 only) '69 - '72 used white on black.

5) 1st Style had "RPM X100" on face w/blank 'tab' over needle pivot. 2nd Style had "RPM" on 'tab' over needle pivot. Both styles had "PONTIAC" on face.

6) 1st Style OHC tach was 6500 redline. This was changed to 5500 near end of April 1967 (for '68 models). Some early '68s may have used left-over
'67 units. 1st Style V-8 redline was 5200 redline (approx). The 5500 redline did not appear on the 1st Style (tall) OHC Hood Tachs. This change took place in the early part of production for '68 model year cars on the 2nd Style (short) Tach. Obviously, since most '68 Firebirds built
up into Jan.'68 used this 'Tall' Hood Tach, many still had a 6500 redline. For some reason, the early '68 GTOs received the 2nd style (short) Hood Tach before the early '68 Firebirds.

7) 2nd Style face started out as a 'circular' pattern for the RPM indicator graphics. This changed to an easier to read 'oval' design two months later (June '67) although examples of the circular face have been found in cars with build dates into Nov. '67. Redline color was Red until mid-way through 1970 when it was changed to a
fluorescent Orange as it remained till the end ('72).

8) 2nd Style, circular & oval face pattern used (2) different redlines:
5100 and 5500. There is speculation that RAII used the 6Cyl 5500 redline however,
no part books support this. All others used 5100 redline.

9) Rarest of all Hood Tachs would have to be the prototype version planned for the RAV application. This had a shift indicator light display at the bottom. Only known one is on a '69 Judge RAV built by "Purely PMD" (1980s).

10) '70-'72 Hood Tachs included a hose/filter to eliminate condensation. All Hood Tachs included a rivet in addition to the (4) studs/nuts (anti-theft).

11) Reproduction Hood Tachs have improved significantly since they first appeared almost 20yrs ago. Improvements have been made with regard to lighting, circuitry and sealing to keep moisture out. Some faces are of a translucent plastic while others have silk-screened, metal faces (or adhesive applied vinyl overlay).
Some cheaper versions have the face trim molded as one-piece. Edges at face are somewhat 'softer' (rounded) than originals.

12) GM also produced a Hood Tach for the early ('70-'72) Buick GSX. This is essentially the same Tach except for "BUICK" on the face. Additionally, there was a 'generic' Hood Tach produced by GM with the "AC/DELCO" name on
the face (used by Yenko & Motion). AMC also used a variant of the AC/Delco style.
An aftermarket "DIXCO" Hood Tach was made in the 60s/70s (with "DIXCO" on face). This case differs from the GM unit. These were also used on some Mustangs & MoPars(dealer accessory).

13) There are several well-known authorities who restore original Hood Tachs to include
re-silk screening the original face, new circuit board, rebuilt or new movement (head) and
case/trim repair/replacement This would be for the concours types as prices can exceed the
$250 or so for a new repro unit.

NOTE:
IF YOU HAVE CORRECTIONS TO THIS INFO, PLEASE LET ME KNOW. THANKS.

[bulletpruf]

I've got a hood tach that I'm trying to identify. It's allegedly off a '68 GTO, but has white on black lettering. Redline looks orange, but it could have been red at one time and faded. Redline is 5,100. Where do I find the hose/filter that would identify it as a 70-72 tach?

FYI - as far as I can tell, it's identical to a restored '69 tach except for the color of the redline and it has bolts holding it together rather than screws on the restored tach.

Thanks,

Scott

[Bet Winner]

Originally Posted by bulletpruf

Where do I find the hose/filter that would identify it as a 70-72 tach?
FYI - as far as I can tell, it's identical to a restored '69 tach except for the color of the redline and it has bolts holding it together rather than screws on the restored tach.

As I remember, a 70 tach has a piece (or tube) on the underside that extends downward that a hose may have attached to to draw moisture out of the tach. (I'm not sure that the first such tach's had the hose attached from the factory, but I may be wrong about that.)

The bolts are correct on tach's I've seen.

[Bet Winner]

I believe there are just 2 studs and 2 nuts, not four.

The cost to restore an original hood tach is surely worth more than a less than totally accurate reproduction.

Originally Posted by RamAirJohn

PONTIAC HOOD TACH INFO:

10) '70-'72 Hood Tachs included a hose/filter to eliminate condensation. All Hood Tachs included a rivet in addition to the (4) studs/nuts (anti-theft).

13) There are several well-known authorities who restore original Hood Tachs to include
re-silk screening the original face, new circuit board, rebuilt or new movement (head) and
case/trim repair/replacement This would be for the concours types as prices can exceed the
$250 or so for a new repro unit.

NOTE:
IF YOU HAVE CORRECTIONS TO THIS INFO, PLEASE LET ME KNOW. THANKS.

[bulletpruf]

Originally Posted by Bet Winner

As I remember, a 70 tach has a piece (or tube) on the underside that extends downward that a hose may have attached to to draw moisture out of the tach. (I'm not sure that the first such tach's had the hose attached from the factory, but I may be wrong about that.)

The bolts are correct on tach's I've seen.

You're correct on the tube; found a pic on another thread. Confirms that I have a '69 tach.

Thanks,

Scott

[SWEETJUDGE]

there was also the very rare lighted hood tach & a royal bobcat hood tach redline at 5800

[north]

Not all 70's had that vent fitting, it appearing during the model run.

[dld]

could you guys help me with this tach. it is NOS. was gotten from GM worker. not sure what its for thanks Don

[Bet Winner]

Originally Posted by dld

could you guys help me with this tach. it is NOS. was gotten from GM worker. not sure what its for thanks Don

Hey, Hey, Hey, now THAT is nice!! And that is a good picture of the original sticker too. And it has never had a rivet installed. The studs to bolt the tach on the hood are dark. Repo's that I have seen have the studs silver. And the underbody is sort of a dark brown color.

It looks just like my 69 tach so it must be a 68 or 69 tach. I am not sure of any 68-69 differences although I seem to remember a change somewhere along the line concering the face background color from black to dark blue or vice versa. At some point in the 70 model year, the 70 tach had a short tube extending from the bottom of the body to remove condensation.

It looks like you have one picture from the inside of the tach. Did you need to use a 1/8th socket to unbolt the small bolts? I had to grind the outside of a 1/8th down to get it in the holes.

I doubt there are many NOS ones around. The underside of yours is a good course in what one of these tach's is supposed to look like.

Don't let anyone tell you that a repo would be just as nice!

[dld]

Bet Winner

theres no doubt its nos. got it from old guy the worked on line. he did not remember the year he got it. i have harness also .

i'm working on a 65 don't know much about newer cars thanks Don

[Bet Winner]

Did he buy it or put it in his lunch box? I'm sure there were some NOS ones, but I have never seen one.

Are you selling it?

I believe that the harness has been repoed exactly, but I don't believe that the tach has.

[dld]

LOL not sure , yea will sell but not sure about $$$$

[Bet Winner]

Just stick it on e-bay if you're not sure about the dollars.

The repo's will hurt the price, but sticklers will be happier with an original.

Oh, I'm betting on the lunch box.....................

[dld]

me too. trying to watch Raven game at same time .

[Scott Thelander]

Nice option..... pm sent

[Ram4king]

I collect nos hood tachs and most of the info said is true but there are few more facts. Also your tach is nos but it was built a little later as the early ones were bolted together at all four corners. Yours has 2 screws at the rear. i have several like that also. Very cool piece you have. PM sent also.......

[68gtoMN]

Originally Posted by dld

could you guys help me with this tach. it is NOS. was gotten from GM worker. not sure what its for thanks Don

from face color and partial part number, this appears to be a 1969 unit

[dld]

Hi guys , as promised this is the link to auction for my tach . Good Luck Don

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...#ht_500wt_1102

[marxjunk]

I have some pics of a 68..its a real one... its ruff, i sold it here, i took it apart and its loaded with hand written assy stuff in red, you can see how its put together etc.....it could help i guess to ID one..its build date is Oct 9 1967...heres pics...if it helps..if it doesnt, i will get my post deleted....