My hood tach needle seems to stick around the 1500 rpm mark. I'm not sure if it's an original or not. It's accurate after that but doesn't drop down to zero after car shuts off or below 1500 while running. I know I can have it reconditioned but am saving that for the last resort. Is something sticking (perhaps oily residue)? It was working correctly at one time. Can I fix it myself? Any help/info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Mine used to do the same thing,then one day it stopped working.I called a few places that specializes in car restorations,they gave me an idea what the problem was,but they couldn`t be sure until they tested it,and I was told depending on the problem it would be cheaper for me to buy a new one.After talking with these guys and getting some ball park figures and paying for shipping I think I`ll buy a new one,at least most places have a warranty with the new one.If you spent a lot of money in your old one and it coughs,then you are out that money and still have to buy one.NPD sells hood tachs for $259.00-269.00,part# C-9750-223B fits 69 Bird 8 cyl.5100 RPM redline.

68bb.
As a side note you may want to review the archives... both here and at Classical Pontiac.. I recall reading quite a bit about needles sticking...

Best of luck.
Kevin

On the subject of hood tachs, I've heard that the repro ones aren't all that great and neither are the originals. Personally, I think it looks pretty cool, but if it is not that functional as a whole maybe it isn't worth it.

The tach on my 69 Bird is original and I think it lasted good,it started to act up when the car was 30 yrs old.So,if I could get another 30 yrs or even 20 yrs out of another tach,I`d be happy.

My stock tach was stuck at 0 RPM when I bought my car. I very carefully took the tach apart. It wasn't very difficult.

You can break it down to just the tach face, meter movement and the printed circuit board. Look for any debris in the meter movement (area where the needle attaches to the tach - it should be some springs and maybe some tiny tiny bearings) and blow out any crap that might be on the meter. Just be very careful. The springs that operate the meter needle are very easily bent out of shape. Also, make sure the needle isn't sticking onto the meter faceplate. Get a small brush and some rubbing alcohol and clean everything up. Using your finger, very carefully exercise the meter by running the needle up and down a bunch of times. That all seemed to work for mine.

Vince

Anyone know where I can get the short wiring harness that connects the hood tach wiring harness (has the two cream colored plastic plugs that fit into the bottom of the tach) to the hood tach? It's an original tach.

I have not worked on one of these hood tachs- BUT!
with most meter movements they have a 2 "C" shaped permanent magnets inside & the armature passes across them. I have seen several times where a "very small" steel shaving can get inside and stick to the magnet causing the meter movement to stop at one spot but still work normally.