'82 First Impressions and Questions
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,012
Likes: 5
From: Granbury, TX
'82 First Impressions and Questions
I've been driving my Vette for 2 days and enjoying it immensely. It does not accelerate quite as fast as my Z-28 with lots of bolt ons but makes up for it in cornering. There is a sweeping left hand corner I take on my way to work each morning. In the Z-28 I've pushed it to 70-75 MPH, the Vette can take it at 80+. What a rush!
Back to reality. I bought the car in the daylight and now found out the gauge lights don't work. Yes, I checked the fuse. How difficult is it to change out the light switch?
The silver edges of the rectangular speedo and tach cluster are wearing off. Any hints to touch up. Silver model paint?
Heck yes, I'm a Newbie! You guys are probably a bit jaded by now. Try to remember what is was like to be a new owner and happy to be living' the dream! We are one lucky bunch.
Back to reality. I bought the car in the daylight and now found out the gauge lights don't work. Yes, I checked the fuse. How difficult is it to change out the light switch?
The silver edges of the rectangular speedo and tach cluster are wearing off. Any hints to touch up. Silver model paint?
Heck yes, I'm a Newbie! You guys are probably a bit jaded by now. Try to remember what is was like to be a new owner and happy to be living' the dream! We are one lucky bunch.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,172
Likes: 86
From: State of Confusion
Originally Posted by Clint's C3
I bought the car in the daylight and now found out the gauge lights don't work. Yes, I checked the fuse. How difficult is it to change out the light switch?
The silver edges of the rectangular speedo and tach cluster are wearing off. Any hints to touch up. Silver model paint?
The silver edges of the rectangular speedo and tach cluster are wearing off. Any hints to touch up. Silver model paint?
Sorry, can't help with gauge lights;
I bought an '80 (same gauge-cluster) late last year, to build into a drag-car, and am replacing all the 'iffy' OEM gauges w/ aftermarket pieces, re-covering the Black plastic faschia with a piece of sheet aluminum, hit with an orbital sander (for a 'swirl'-effect pattern).
I'm building a console-cover piece that fits over the Black plastic cover from the same material, and about 'half' of the Silver trim paint is worn-off;
I removed it with a rag and denatured alcohol, thinking of painting that raised 'rib' to match the exterior with simple modelers paint.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,012
Likes: 5
From: Granbury, TX
I'm sure matching the body color would look good, but I'd have to paint my other gauge clusters red too. I think I’ll try removing the old paint with acetone and repainting with silver model paint if you think it will work.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,323
Likes: 2
From: Castle Hills Texas
I re-did all of my raised areas around the center console and speedo-tach area with a silver paint pen. It was easy and it looks like original.
I have yet to do any bulbs so I can't help there.
CVT4ME
I have yet to do any bulbs so I can't help there.
CVT4ME
Last edited by CVT4ME; Jul 19, 2004 at 11:05 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,172
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From: State of Confusion
I used common modelers paint on that 'raised-rib' around the gauge cluster on my Z28 years ago;
I'd strongly advise to mask-off the area around it. That paint likes to 'flow' around (maybe it was my nerves?), and it could cause a catastrophe...
I'd strongly advise to mask-off the area around it. That paint likes to 'flow' around (maybe it was my nerves?), and it could cause a catastrophe...
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,012
Likes: 5
From: Granbury, TX
Silver paint pen and masking tape sounds like a plan. Thanks guys.
All my dash lights are out so I know it's not a bulb issue. I'm thinking light switch.
My power driver seat switch is also out, looking for a replacement. PN 14009291 discontinued.
I hate electrical problems.
Help and suggestions welcome.
All my dash lights are out so I know it's not a bulb issue. I'm thinking light switch.
My power driver seat switch is also out, looking for a replacement. PN 14009291 discontinued.
I hate electrical problems.
Help and suggestions welcome.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,172
Likes: 86
From: State of Confusion
Originally Posted by Clint's C3
Help and suggestions welcome.
A '68-up Corvette bone-yard, on Long Island.
They seem to have lots of discontinued stuff, pricing is 'eh'.
I've gotten a few miscellaneous pieces & 'spares' from them in the past.
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Race Director
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I would check the prited citcuit on the back of the cluster, they tend to delaminate and if one of the cunductors breaks none of the lights wotk. Also sometimes when pluggin in the connector, the contact folds over (and thuis not make any contact)and then they won't work either.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,663
Likes: 162
From: columbia city in
lights
the paint pen works well ,but if the lens is bad scratches faded ,i would replace ..helped to make my interior look good again.are you shure that the switch is bad on the seat ?the hot wire between the plugin and the switch goes bad .some times the headlight switch contacts can be cleaned ,and will work again .
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,012
Likes: 5
From: Granbury, TX
Originally Posted by Glensgages
www.partsforvettes.com
A '68-up Corvette bone-yard, on Long Island.
They seem to have lots of discontinued stuff, pricing is 'eh'.
I've gotten a few miscellaneous pieces & 'spares' from them in the past.
A '68-up Corvette bone-yard, on Long Island.
They seem to have lots of discontinued stuff, pricing is 'eh'.
I've gotten a few miscellaneous pieces & 'spares' from them in the past.
Thanks for the link, Mr Gages. They had a new seat switch for $85. I was going to order, but when I reconnected the switch after removing the seat, It started working. An automotive miracle
!!I owe you beer next time you are in the DFW, Texas area.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,194
Likes: 0
From: Tempe AZ
Originally Posted by Clint's C3
Back to reality. I bought the car in the daylight and now found out the gauge lights don't work. Yes, I checked the fuse. How difficult is it to change out the light switch?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,012
Likes: 5
From: Granbury, TX
I used to have an Opel GT with just enough wiring to run, barely. I could tell the speed at night by the frequency of the chassis vibrations.
I'm hoping for just a touch more sophistication this time around.
I'm hoping for just a touch more sophistication this time around.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,012
Likes: 5
From: Granbury, TX
Originally Posted by mooneyd
I used a silver sharpie on the raised ribs on center console. Came out great!
Thanks for the Sharpie tip (no pun intended), Mooneyd.
It came out great and much better than I could have done with a brush and paint. Before using the Sharpie, I cleaned off the old sliver with acetone and a Q-tip so the surface was smooth. 