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dash board light intensity
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 116
Likes: 1
From: Natick Ma
dash board light intensity
Hello all!! Hope you can help me.I've had my 66 Conv. now for 34 years and the dash lights have NEVER been bright enough.I've replaced the headlight switch to check the reostat and that didn't help. I've replaced all the bulbs with new correct bulbs from PIP and that didn't work either.Would appreciate any suggestions Thanks in advance..
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,614
Likes: 107
From: North Carolina "life is good"
2025 c3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I just redid my '66 cluster myself and replaced all of the bulbs ( most original and 43 yrs old ) with the same #1816 bulb. It seems plenty bright enough at night. Some have suggested in the past using a #1817 bulb that has slightly higher wattage to brighten up the cluster. These are not easy bulbs to find and some reported that they are in the $2 each range.
Check the grounds first. I actually added an additional ground to the back of the cluster just to make sure.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,078
Likes: 101
From: Riverhead New York
I just drove my car "In the Dark!", last night. I recently installed the #1817 and the Dash Lighting was just right. (I'm 64, if you know what I mean.). Atlanta Elecric has them. Al W.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 945
Likes: 8
From: Miami FL
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Drifting
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,946
Likes: 28
From: Long Beach CA
If the cluster has never been done, it's possible a lot of the paint has flaked off inside. When I redid the cluster on my '66, I repainted the light green on the inside of the cluster, and it's quite a bit brighter than it was.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 4,191
Likes: 951
From: Corpus Christi, TX
Thanks a million for the #1817 light bulb recommendation. I've checked catalogs for years and thought the 1816 was the best you could do.
I can actually see my fuel/battery/temp and oil gauges at night!
I can actually see my fuel/battery/temp and oil gauges at night!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,614
Likes: 107
From: North Carolina "life is good"
2025 c3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
My '66 dash gauge lenses were glass. Cleaned them in the sink with dishwashing liquid. Are other years plastic? (I think the clock is plastic, probably due to the hole)
