I have been playing with the idea of cutting a hole in my hood , but the thought of cutting a hole makes me nerves also. I like the looks of the hood tach. on firebirds , that wow factor I guess. I am wondering is it worth it to do it? will it hurt the value of my car because it is original , matching no's . will it cause problems on down the road. are the repro reliable? has anybody had any problems? is moisture or heat a factor on them? plus I converted my distributer from points to breakerless ignition similar to pertronix will that be a effect also?

I did it to my 67 Sprint. I figured I could always find another flat hood if needed. If your car is a numbers matching RA or TA I would probably say no, don't do it. If otherwise, it probably won't hurt the value. I also believe these tachs were dealer installed so that helps a little with it not being original. My original tach works with my Petronix but I don't know about the repos.

I've bought three of the ones from Classic now. All three are excellent! I wait for the 20% - 25% off sales to get a nice discount. All of mine still run points, but they are all supposed to work with HEI as well.
The cool factor is way up there!
But my original 400 'vert did not come with one from the factory, so no way I'm cutting that hood!
And I fully agree with hokie's comments as well.

The hood tach on a Firebird with a 400 hood is awesome. If it's not in your PHS docs I don't think it will hurt the value, IMO. Most Tachs were dealer installed options. I'm cutting a hole and installing a 67 hood tach because I like that one over the 68. Both were available at the dealer so it's very possible the tach could have been purchased at dealer, installed and the customer received his car.

I believe in NOT changing the car from it's original configuration when making it a show car but some things are debatable. Some people have changed from Points to HEI, something I won't do as it is a obvious visual change that does not add visual value. To each there own ...

The big question is are you putting this car together for you or the next owner? If you are worried about impacts to future worth, then you are doing the latter when it comes to adding additional useful and tasteful factory options. If you look at those items as things that your car would have come with if you had the chance to order it when it was new, then you are doing the former.

Being a car guy, I always want full instrumentation in my vehicles anyway , so the correct Pontiac hood tach is not just a styling cue. And I want it correct so no just clamping a Sun tach on the steering column.

Yes, the scary part is cutting the hole. Be very careful of the measurements and question the instructions that come with your tach. Mine said to get a hole saw so large it would have cut out the 3 spots where the tach bolts to the hood. I knew that wasn't correct. And if your hood is painted, use lots of painters tape.

The big hole is scary but the smaller ones (where the rivets/screws go) are where you can also mess up bad if not careful. If those smaller holes don't line up, the tach can point in the wrong direction and look bad or worse yet, you have to fill them and redrill. Measure twice, then measure twice again, then measure twice again, and then drill. I don't regret it at all, I love the look and it is one of the things that sets these cars apart from the crowd.

thanks for the info, & insight fellows. I will go ahead & press forward with plans of a hood tach, and a hole in the hood!
this is one item I have always liked the looks on Pontiacs but could never afford when I was a teenager with a 69 bird.