re Instrument cluster light bulbs

[Wayne P.]

I noticed the lights are very dim in the instrument cluster .
Before I get upside down and contorted can the light bulbs be changed
without the removal of the cluster. Are the bulbs available at local auto deals ?
Should a brighter bulb be used or do they dim over time would be my guess.
Thanks for any advice.

[Dan H.]

Re: re Instrument cluster light bulbs

Wayne, the bulbs are listed in your owners manual. Crawl under and reach an easy one to see if the correct bulbs are there. My car had a hodge podge of mixed lights, did have to pull the dash to get at them. If you have skinny arms maybe not. Good luck!!!
Dan

[William P.]

Re: re Instrument cluster light bulbs

You could replace the screws that hold the cluster in with a pair of long 1/4" bolts, undo the speedo and tach cable and slide the cluster out a few inches on the bolts.
Bill

[John H.]

Re: re Instrument cluster light bulbs

Wayne -

The original #1816 cluster illumination bulbs were pretty dim, especially if they're dusty; #1817 bulbs are a little brighter, but you won't find them at an auto parts store - they're available from Atlanta Light Bulb (Google it for contact info). Note that '63-'64 had two less illumination bulbs than '65-'67; Chevy added two in '65, but it didn't help much.

[Peter H.]

Re: re Instrument cluster light bulbs

Hi wayne .. Just a thought .. Is the headlight knob turned fully clockwise ? This controls the dash lights ...

[Wayne P.]

Re: re Instrument cluster light bulbs

The headlight knob is turned correctly . Thanks for the responses, I will check out Atlanta Light Bulb . Cheers . 2 bulbs are in the clock and still dim.
Atlanta Web mentions they only ship international shipments of 500 $$ or more. I will keep looking. thanks

[Peter H.]

Re: re Instrument cluster light bulbs

Heh wayne fellow canadian ... A ford dealer in bobcaygeon shows the clb1816 light buls .. Call 705 738 2393 good luck ...

[William C.]

Re: re Instrument cluster light bulbs

Wayne, don't know if you have tried it, but you might try cleaning the brass portion of the bulb and see if that helps the brightness any.

[Stuart F.]

Re: re Instrument cluster light bulbs

My 63 has always been dim even after I replaced all the bulbs years ago. I believe the design of the "cone" centers tends to make them appear that way. If they were just flat and black it would probably look better, like the later year C-2's.

Stu Fox

[Steven A.]

Re: re Instrument cluster light bulbs

A company called Whitegauges makes an LED bulb that is much brigther than the stock bulbs. They have a standard base, so they can be easily inserted. I've put them in my 66 and its a significant improvement. You won't win any PV points, but if you want to actually see your gauges while driving at night, these are much better IMHO. Whiteguages.net.

[Tom R.]

Re: re Instrument cluster light bulbs

Couldn't see the Gage's real well at night and went to the 1817's when I rebuilt the dash. Much better but the clock is still the dimmest gage of all when in the city. Out in the open road up Hwy 101 where it's fairly dark everything looks good.

[Doug L.]

Re: re Instrument cluster light bulbs

You could replace the screws that hold the cluster in with a pair of long 1/4" bolts, undo the speedo and tach cable and slide the cluster out a few inches on the bolts.
Bill

If you try this, don't forget to disconnect the oil line at the gauge. This technique actually works real well. With 1/4 x ~4" bolts you can slide the cluster out far enough to get at the back very easily.

[Paul J.]

Re: re Instrument cluster light bulbs

Wayne, I think Peter is right. If it's that dim then it's the reostat in the switch. Mine is packed up and I can't look at it, but there might be a way to clean the contacts.

If this isn't it, then it is what it is.

Remember that brighter bulbs will draw more amps. While we're not talking about a lot, it's still not good for old wiring.

Paul

[Ian H.]

Re: re Instrument cluster light bulbs

A company called Whitegauges makes an LED bulb that is much brigther than the stock bulbs. They have a standard base, so they can be easily inserted. I've put them in my 66 and its a significant improvement. You won't win any PV points, but if you want to actually see your gauges while driving at night, these are much better IMHO. Whiteguages.net.

Steven; Can you please give us the product number or identify which LED bulb would replace our 1816 bulbs. I'd like to try the LEDs too. Thanks.

[Steven A.]

Re: re Instrument cluster light bulbs

Ian. If you go to whitegauges.net and just search for LED bulb, you find it. You want White BA9 bulbs. They're kind of pricy ($5.00 each) and you'll need 11 of them counting the clock. But who's counting?