Brighter Instrument Lights

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Jan 20, 2006 | 09:27 PM

KALAWAY

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Drifting

Joined: Aug 2004

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From: Fayetteville NC

Brighter Instrument Lights

The instrument lights in my '75, speedo, tach, gauges are very dim. The battery seems to be OK since it's starting the car with no problems. Has anyone changed to a different bulb, or maybe just a newer one, for better results, or is this just what you get with a 30 year old car.

Jan 20, 2006 | 09:32 PM

big_G

Le Mans Master

Joined: Jul 2005

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From: Austin Texas

They shouldn't be very dim. There are 4 bulbs for the speedo, 4 for the tach. Make sure they all are working. Also, make sure the dimmer in the headlight switch is working properly.

Jan 20, 2006 | 09:42 PM

indy99

Melting Slicks

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From: the land of a never ending frame-off resto-mod. May Visa have mercy on my soul.

I think as wires age the electron flow becomes slower and slower and that can dim light bulbs and slow down power to the spark plugs too. I would try a Viagro proton injection and see if it helps.

Jan 20, 2006 | 10:07 PM

Budman68

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From: DFW TX

Cruise-In VII Veteran

St. Jude Donor '07

I changed mine out and it did help. Even with a 100+ amp alt. I just don't think they are very bright bulbs.

Jan 21, 2006 | 07:36 AM

PhotoVette1

Safety Car

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From: Raleigh NC

Replacing the bulbs brightened things up considerably in my '77.

Jan 21, 2006 | 08:13 AM

KALAWAY

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Drifting

Joined: Aug 2004

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From: Fayetteville NC

Quote:

Originally Posted by indy99

I think as wires age the electron flow becomes slower and slower and that can dim light bulbs and slow down power to the spark plugs too. I would try a Viagro proton injection and see if it helps.

The "Viagro proton injection". Is that for real?

Jan 21, 2006 | 08:25 AM

7t2vette

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From: Toronto Ontario

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One of the problems with these cars is that the headlight circuit is fed of the same feed as the instrumentation lighting. Switching the headlights to be fed directly from the alternator through relays (using the stock headlight switch as a trigger) will not only brighten up your interior lights, but your headlights as well.

the definitive article about this is here:

Last edited by 7t2vette; Jan 21, 2006 at 07:49 PM.