Hey guys i'm restoring my 71 and im gonna order and install new gauges from auto meter and make a custom instrument cluster. I dont want to spend 200+ buck on a tach I don't need and never look at when im driving. I could understand if it was a manual car, then the tach would be useful. what are you thoughts? Needed or not needed on a automatic 71 Olds 350?

 

I think a tach is always a good idea in an automatic. I like seeing what the idle RPM is and if I decide to shift manually, I can, knowing what the RPMs are in each gear

 

Why not? Since you're doing aftermarket gauges you can install what ever you want.

 

You can over-rev an automatic nearly as easily as you can over-rev a manual.

 

If you never do hole shots, race, or rev through the gears, then don't install one.

 

Automatic or manual trans is irrelevant. A tach provides information about the engine the same as a water temp gauge or oil pressure gauge. I can't imagine driving a car without one.

And there is no need to spend 200+ on a tach when you can get one for $40.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/bgs-fst-7901

 

Exactly

 

The tach i would want would be matching the gauges im getting so it would cost over 200, but i hear you guys, its good to have. Thanks!

 

Plus if you are half def like me it lets me know that the engine is still running and I don't need to hit the starter and embarrass myself in front of my gear head friends. .... Tedd

 

I have a column mounted tach in my 54. It is Stewart Warner Wings series which looks correct for the car. My speedometer is about 8 mph slow so I know at 3,000 RPM's I am going about 70 mph (see what 3:36 gears and no overdrive will do). For the most part I really don't need it but I just think it looks cool.

 

Many people think the tach is not needed on an automatic, but is for a manual, but ignore the fact that you usually shift with your ear and routine muscle motions and hardly ever look at the tach while driving a manual normally.

My priorities: Oil gauge or light....speedometer....temp gauge or light....fuel gauge....tach....voltmeter.....oil temp....transmission temp....I guess a clock

They make nice little 4 in 1 pods that do fuel, temp, oil, and volts. I'd do it, a custom tach, and a speedo. You can look at your phone for the time.

 

Here's the tachometer I've had for nearly 20 years. It's not in my 71 98 but I guess I should install it (it's just sitting in a box in the garage). I had it installed in a 1990 Buick Estate Wagon and the 1964 Olds 98 I owned.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/atm-2300/overview/

 

If for some reason your speedometer fails, you can get yourself close to speed with a tach.

 

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This is why I had the tachometer installed in my Estate Wagon. The speedometer didn't work because the drive gear in the 2004R was worn. Instead of pulling the tail housing and replacing the drive gear I just used the tach.

 

I have two Garmin nav units and they both show the speed limit and my actual speed. If my speed is above the actual speed limit the speed will be highlighted.

 

I agree with Oldcutlass but on the flip side if you are doing a custom gauge set up it might look kinda funny to not have the most common gauge.