My next project arrived today, replacing 81 light bulbs on the 1982 Corvette (every light except the four headlights). I ordered the kit from Zip.

Anyone done this? Any tips? I'm a bit worried about taking my perfect dash apart but that is where several bulbs that are out are located.

Anything I take apart will be cleaner when reinstalled but this project will have to wait for warmer weather though, less chance of plastic parts breaking. #RetiredLife

 

Just take your time and when you reinstall do not over tighten. remember when you take out the center cluster there are a couple of screws from under the center console.
Just a quick question, if you are replacing all of the bulbs did you consider up grading to LED bulbs they are brighter? just curious.

 

I think your on the right track.

warm weather means less chance of cracking plastic

take time

be prepared to repair bad screw holes

clean all bulb sockets and use dielectric grease

when a seal is used inspect carefully and replace if needed.

clean grounds and electrical connections that are exposed when you have the dash apart.

 

Appreciate the advice. Ref LED...I didn't really consider it as an option. This car sees about 300 miles a year and hardly any of those at night. I have a couple of bulbs out on the dash (they've been out for several years) so I decided to go the kit route. Something to keep me out of the pool halls now that I'm retired, LOL.

 

When you say "I'm a bit worried about taking my perfect dash apart"...You're referring to the center console and speedo/tach correct? Just making sure you're not going to remove the whole dash to change light bulbs.

 

Yes, center console and speedo/tach area... very concerned about these because my dash is dang near perfect with exception to a couple of lights not working, LOL. We'll see what it looks like when I get in there. Thinking this is a mid summer project now, car in the garage, T-tops out and some fans going. Nice and slow...

 

80-82 and the C5Z are my two favourite Vettes. You're a lucky guy.

 

#1 your kit is correct. These should work fine.

Take this story as you will, from an Engineer....

Next door neighbor knows very well I restore cars...
Hey Hal, I just came back from the Mercedes mechanic. ( He has a 72 Vertical Headlight 230 ) I told him to change every light bulb in the car, now none of them work.
Hal; That's strange, did he tell you anything?
MR. 230; Yeah! he said he put dielectric grease in EVERY BULB SOCKET.
Hal; JEEZ....the very WORD dielectric means it RESISTS CURRENT FLOW...so you have a positive side to the electrics thru the bulbs and the the negative ground side in the SOCKET. What he just did is 'wiped-out the negative ground'.
I took one tail-light out carefully wiped all the SMEGMA from the bulb sockets....GUESS WHAT?

DO NOT PUT DIELECTRIC GREASE IN LIGHTBULBS!

Unkahal

 

Sounds like you have seen a lot of "SMEGMA"in your lifetime

 

If you haven’t taken out your dash previously, then I suggest reading several of Forum Posts that give step by step instructions. I labeled the indicator bulbs and plastic connectors on the center cluster to make reassembly easier. On the drivers dash do the same for the indicator bulbs (brights, brake, turn signals). The wires are old and their plastic covers that are colored may be hard to distinguish. Go slow, you are dealing with old plastic and old vinyl. Doing the job during warmer weather is probably a good idea.

 

I know 2TONE82 is retired so time is not really a pressing issue here, but I would suspect that, after 19 months, the job may already be finished.