In my 68 GTO the tachometer does not work. I’m torn between installing Dakota Instrumentation or just installing the new tachometer. I purchased a replacement, have chased the wires with the exception of the tachometer itself. In order to do that I have to drop the steering column, etc. I didn’t want to be without a replacement so it is in hand. The big question is if I’m tearing apart the dash anyway if I was ever going to do the Dakota upgrade, might as well do it now. On the other hand I like the looks of the OEM dash tach. Is it common for them to just crap out? I know it’s 58 years old. I’m 65 and tired too! Ha!

I sent my tach to a professional whose business is repairing automotive instruments. They installed a modern digital mech into the original housing. Works like a charm and looks better than anything aftermarket which will look 'stuck on.'

Look up "North Hollywood Speedometer" in southern California if you have analyzed well enough that the problem really is the tachometer. They can very likely repair yours. Have you considered buying a new, modern replacement tachometer from the online catalog places such as Original Parts Group, National Parts Depot or Classic Industries, etc?

I may yet send that California repair place the speedometer from my '59 Chevy Apache truck that died a loud, screeching death inside the dashboard. However, big however, they wanted $425.00 for the repair and it was mega way less expensive to buy a used speedometer cluster from eBay for $75.00 USD.

Rick

NH Speedometer

North Hollywood Speedometer Repair - NH Speedometer

We perform Conversions, Calibration and Customization of your gauges, Concourse level restoration of speedometers, tachometer, clocks and automotive gauges.

The Dakota digital dash is very cool, but it’s expensive. It’s over $1k the last time I checked. I like the fact that all the Dakota gauges are the same color and the same brightness. My old eyes appreciate this. This is something my OEM Rally cluster has lacked for decades. Switching to LED bulbs helped my cluster a lot. Buying a replacement tach and installing LED bulbs is still way cheaper than a Dakota dash. Indyman Joe recently installed LED bulbs in his cluster. He posted pictures of how it turned out for him.

On 1/25/2026 at 11:04 AM, cammerjeff said:

I prefer the cast impellers as they can be "spaced" to move more fluid, so remember to check the spacing of the backing plate to the impeller, and I would go with new transfer tubes and seals. and remember when installing the front cover to loosen the intake manifold bolts, and use the small long bolt to gently pull the intake forward to seal properly, then retorque the intake manifold.

Good luck!

How do I find those photos? I’d like to see what it looks like. Very aware of the cost of the Dakota’s and have already purchased a new tachometer. Thank you very much for your help!

Here is the link to his thread. It is in his most recent posts.

Edited February 26Feb 26 by Frosty