1967 Hood Tach Installation

My Custom S · 07-26-2008, 03:50 PM

Good afternoon!

I have purchased a reproduction hood-mounted tachometer that I want to install on my 1967 Pontiac Tempest Custom. Although the tachometer appears correct, I'm not at all satisfied with the installation "template" that was provided. It makes absolutely no reference to location on the hood relative to the rear or left edges of the hood. Is there anyone who has a factory-installed hood tach that could tell me what the dimensions should be from the gauge face edge of the tach to the rear edge of the hood (nearest the cowl) and from the left edge of the tach to the left edge of the hood? This would greatly assist me before cutting into my NOS hood. This is my first time on this forum, unfortunately the POCI tech forum does not appear to be up and running yet and I have scoured the internet for this information to no avail, so I thought I would try here.

Thanks again in advance for any help you can provide!

Matt
POCI Memeber since 1994

67/04gto · 07-26-2008, 05:58 PM

when i put one on my 67 i centered up betweenn the braces above the master cyclinder

My Custom S · 07-26-2008, 06:57 PM

67/04gto,

I appreciate the response. I have seen one installation where it appeared that the tach was installed into the rear brace somewhat. I don't know what is correct. I suppose at the end of the day I should put it where I think it looks best and fits my line-of-site. I don't know what the dealers used as a reference since they were dealer installed until a bit later in the '67 model run. I suppose they may have just stuck them on there where they thought it looked best from the driver's vantage point as well.

If I don't get any difinitive dimensions I'll just go with my gut.

Thanks again!

67/04gto · 07-26-2008, 08:02 PM

all the ones ive seen in person the tach wasnt drilled through the support thats why i just centered it in the center and i had it within eye sight

My Custom S · 07-26-2008, 10:11 PM

I agree. According to the illustration I have seen there actually was a reinforcing strip that was used on the underside of the hood that the tach was riveted to and no part of the tach or installation hardware went through the hood reinforcing. I appreciate your feedback. Hopefully I will get a second opinion with some firm dimensions before I get started on this tomorrow. Out of curiosity, where dimensionally did your hood tach end up relative to the edges of the hood?

Thanks again and have a great night!

Matt

Eric Animal · 07-26-2008, 10:53 PM

Hey Matt, Welcome....I have a hood tach at home for my 67. I also have a template. I will check it out tomorrow and post the results. Eric

My Custom S · 07-27-2008, 07:26 AM

Hey Eric,

Thanks Man, I would appreciate any information you have. The tach I bought also came with a template but it only gave the information of the large hole relative to the four smaller holes for the mounting studs. It did not locate any of the holes relative to placement on the hood. Centering it in the bracing just above the master cylinder is where I'm heading unless I can get some more definitive information. Again, I appreciate any info you can provide!

Matt

Eric Animal · 07-27-2008, 01:04 PM

Matt, If you measure out 9 inches from the rear of the hood (cowl), then measure out 10 inches from the edge of the hood (driver's side, at fender), the intersection of these 2 points will be the center of where to drill a 3-3/4 inch diameter hole. Next. set the tach into the hole and mark the location for the 2 stud holes. The tach should sit into the holes with the front edge touching the hood 4-5/8 inches from the hood edge (cowl)....According to my calculations this WILL involve cutting into the brace under the hood skin. This will make more work, but a better job as the tach will have more support........I haven't installed mine yet, as I have the original hood on my car....there isn't enough JIM BEAM inthe house right now to give me the b-lls to take a 3-3/4" hole saw to the hood

I hope this helps......put masking tape on the hood first and lay the job out......Measure 25 times then cut once...................Eric

Rukee · 07-27-2008, 01:07 PM

I have a tourch, can I come over??

My Custom S · 07-27-2008, 01:19 PM

Mr. Animal,

Thank you for the dimensions, that is what I was looking for and it appears to agree with what I have seen in the field as far as cutting into the rear underhood bracing is concerned. Since this is NOT a concourse trailer queen restoration underway, I will start with the dimensions given and then adjust from there. This particular tach has (4) mounting studs, so I'm not too concerned about utilizing part of the underhood bracing for additional support. If it means sliding the tach away from the windshield an additional inch or so to avoid the bracing, I may just do that. At the end of the day it has to sit dead center in my line of vision and not so far that I need to prop a magnifying glass on the dash!! This is an NOS hood but I've already had a visectomy so I'm ready to start cutting! I'll take a few pictures and let you know where I ended up and perhaps that will help you with your project. Hopefully my hole saw will do a slightly better job than Rukee's tool of choice, however before it's over with I may have well used one!

Thanks again for the info and support. I'll report back later.

Matt