C2 dash bulbs

[Leif A.]

I am contemplating replacing my OE dash bulbs with LED...stock bulbs are dimmer than dim. Yes, I have a new dash harness and all bulbs were replaced within the last year. I was reading the '67 Service Manual, section 12-34 and read the attached. "The indicator and cluster illuminating bulbs may be replaced without removing the cluster from the panel". Really??? I have read and re-read and have not been able to find out the "HOW TO". Am I missing something here or do you just need really long arms and teeny-tiny hands to accomplish this task without removing the cluster. Any and all who have done this without removing the cluster I would like to here how you did it. Thanks

[James W.]

Re: C2 dash bulbs

Leif,

You may be able to remove the dash cluster screws along with disconnecting the speedo and tach cables to be able to slide the clusted back or out away from the dash to gain access to the bulbs. I think you will need 2 to 4 pieces of 1/4-20 all-thead cut 6 inches long to hang the cluster on when you slide it back.

As far as replacing them with the cluster in place, this is an art. You might be able to get to the lower bulbs but you will bleed if you try to to replace the one higher up plus running the risk of damaging the gauge connections.

One thing that will make things easier is to remove the drivers seat so you can lay face up in the foot well with the top of your head up against the clutch and brake pedals looking up at at the cluster. If you remove cluster and slide it back you can work from all side of the cluster to replace the bulbs.

I've been there and done that since I was a kid when my dad would pay me to change out the bulbs in his C2's.


Regards,

James West

I am contemplating replacing my OE dash bulbs with LED...stock bulbs are dimmer than dim. Yes, I have a new dash harness and all bulbs were replaced within the last year. I was reading the '67 Service Manual, section 12-34 and read the attached. "The indicator and cluster illuminating bulbs may be replaced without removing the cluster from the panel". Really??? I have read and re-read and have not been able to find out the "HOW TO". Am I missing something here or do you just need really long arms and teeny-tiny hands to accomplish this task without removing the cluster. Any and all who have done this without removing the cluster I would like to here how you did it. Thanks

[Leif A.]

Re: C2 dash bulbs

James,

Yes, that's pretty much what I've always read was the way to do it. I guess that's why when I read that in the service manual I was a little taken aback. Sounds like a nice Sunday project. Thanks for your reply.

[Norm B.]

Re: C2 dash bulbs

Are you sure it's not a bad ground or the rheostat in the headlight switch?

[Domenic T.]

Re: C2 dash bulbs

Leif,
It was done by BRAILLE. I would do it as James says. It is really easy to break the wire at each socket if you bump it trying to reach another bulb. I have experience and new solder repair skills from breaking a few.

Dom

[Rocco C.]

Re: C2 dash bulbs

Leif I have attached a link that I found to be very useful when I restored my cluster. I am sure it will help you understand how easy it will be to change your bulbs. Let me know how you make out. www.lbfun.com/warehouse/tech_info/.../C2_Dash_Cluster%20pt2.pdf

[Edward J.]

Re: C2 dash bulbs

Don't forget the oil pressure line, I just unhook the tach. and oil feed line at the engine. much easier to re-hook after the bulb replacement. Also note the bulbs today there is a lot of china crap out there so be careful. use a name brand, or a Nos bulb (s).

[Donald O.]

Re: C2 dash bulbs

Leif,

I had the same complaint as you about my dash lamps being way too dim, and my gauges and lenses were very dusty. So last winter I set to taking care of the situation.

I complegtely removed the dash gauge cluster and stripped it down, removing the gauges and lenses. I then stripped and cleaned the dash cluster panel outside and inside.

After spending time masking off the black face I repainted the inside the correct shade of light green. I only had one AHA moment during reassembly. After the green was dry, it was masked off and the black was painted on. I used SEM trim black on all the black surfaces. I used a CLEAN shop rap with a little lacquer thinner to remove the black from where it should not be on the front. Cleaned the lenses and began the reassembly with fresh lens rubber cushions. I also cleaned each lamp of dust.

Now for the AHA moment.
After getting it all reassembled, except for switches, When I tuned the cluster over to admire my like new cluster there were large pieces of dust on the lenses. OK, take the gauges back out, wiped the dust out and reassembled. Turned it around and CR*P! I still had new pieces of dust. Ok, so this time I wiped and blew it out with a can of computer air, reassembled and Yeah you guessed it more dust. I did this two more times and then my AHA. The 'dust" was small flakes of the light green paint form the small studs that secure the lens retaining ring coming off when attached with the speed nuts. OK great, wiped them off and reassembled. turned it over and admired my work until I noticed that this time I had for gotten to install the foam rubber light shield for the trip odometer. So again one more dis-assembly and reassembly. At frigging last.

IIRC the total cost for the cluster cleaning and re-paint for materials was about $50.

My only real opps was to break the tattle tale lamp (genuine made in USA by GE) when reinstalling the cluster. Fortunately a close Corvette friend had several NOS lamps and gave me a few.

Once completed and all buttoned up, the gauges were noticeably much brighter. I also found out that if you shine a black light on the gauges, the numbers and pointers really pop with color, brightness and contrast against their black backgrounds. I had purchased 20 or maybe 24 LED black lights to swap over, but I bought the wrong physical size and could not install AND aim to the gauges.

DonO

[Leif A.]

Re: C2 dash bulbs

Thank you, all, for your friendly and helpful advice. For me personally (6'5" with large hands) I knew there was NO WAY I was going to be changing the cluster bulbs without removing the cluster. Rocco, I can't open your link...this is what i get...Error 404 - Not Found

The document you are looking for may have been removed or re-named. Please contact the web site owner for further assistance.

Again, thanks to all. I don't do a ton of night driving so I may just put off this project for awhile...It doesn't interfere with the operation and the daytime fun factor one little bit.

[Rocco C.]

Re: C2 dash bulbs

Leif my apologies I am a rookie at this. The link is actually a two part pdf file written by John Hinckley. I tried attaching it to an email thru your profile but cant do that either. If you like send me your email and I will forward it as an email attachment. my email is rcarella@coreydale.com.

[Bob R.]

Re: C2 dash bulbs

Lief,
Prior to doing all of the work to replace the bulbs check the light switch as mentioned above. The lights on my 63 were always dim and the gauges were difficult to read at night. Even with new bulbs and after having the cluster restored. I found I had an after market headlight switch and when replaced with a correct original switch the lights got noticeably brighter.

[Leif A.]

Re: C2 dash bulbs

Lief,
Prior to doing all of the work to replace the bulbs check the light switch as mentioned above. The lights on my 63 were always dim and the gauges were difficult to read at night. Even with new bulbs and after having the cluster restored. I found I had an after market headlight switch and when replaced with a correct original switch the lights got noticeably brighter.

Thanks, Bob. This car has been restored so there's a good chance the headlight switch could be the culprit. I know dash lights today are much brighter than back in the day but I drove these cars back then and I just don't remember the dash lights being this dim. Again, she doesn't get driven much at night anyways. This is going to be a "back burner" project.

[Joe R.]

Re: C2 dash bulbs

Leif,

I also have the John Hinckley two part article on the St. Louis chapter web site.

http://stlouisncrs.org/news_files/C2_DashClusterPart1.pdf

http://stlouisncrs.org/news_files/C2_DashClusterPart2.pdf

Also, John sent me a clearer version of picture 6, which shows what goes where:



Joe

[Leif A.]

Re: C2 dash bulbs

Leif,

I also have the John Hinckley two part article on the St. Louis chapter web site.

http://stlouisncrs.org/news_files/C2_DashClusterPart1.pdf

http://stlouisncrs.org/news_files/C2_DashClusterPart2.pdf

Also, John sent me a clearer version of picture 6, which shows what goes where:



Joe

Joe,

Thank you very much for both of John's articles and the clear pic of the back of the cluster. I apparently don't have the correct #257 bulb in the headlamp socket as it doesn't blink like it's supposed to.