Pulled my gauge panel and disassembled, including the dash lights.
For reference, the bulb appears changeable without removing the panel by grasping the back portion behind the panel, pushing in, and turning to the left. It is kept in place with a spring and notch/pin setup, just like the bulbs.
Simple once you've seen it apart. That is some spring.
Be aware the ground wire from the middle assembly is soldered to the back cover. You don't have to remove it to change the bulb, but I'm rewiring, so I cut it. I am missing (or it rotted away) an additional grommet/seal behind the bulb holder around the wire to waterproof.
So the dash lights up red? I don't have the my dash gauges set up on my project but have been looking to see what parts I need. My dash plate doesn'teven have these 2 holes cut completely through.
I've taken all three of my dash lights out.....gauge illumination and high beam indicator.....and all three of them have dry rotted rubber gaskets that press against the back of the lens. Does anybody supply new rubber gaskets for these fixtures? I've been experimenting with various grades and thicknesses of leather trying to come up with a suitable substitute but so far have been unsuccessful....or just haven't tried hard enough.
I really don't quite understand how these lights worked.....I can see the slots in the speedometer and in the lens cover where the light illuminates the speedometer....but how did this do anything for the other gauges? Just curios as I don't think I had any original gauges left....or at least none that had illumination slots in the side like the speedo.
I see you are cleaning the layers of paint off. Here's a tip, take it for what's it worth. Use a propane torch and soften the paint and scrape it off with a putty knife for the heavy stuff and use steel wool for the little stuff. You don't want to light it up just bubble it a little. To much heat will deform the part. It gets paint out of all those little nooks and crannies. I did I this on mine and it worked well. Burning paint off is a good option on a lot of things just stay off of the metal, to much heat will ruin the part.
This hobby is toxic both to the pocket book AND health and well-being!
Well, maybe not the last. Nothing like grinding away on something all day and when the sun goes down and you grab an adult beverage and look back, you actually accomplished something.
Pretty sure everything below that nasty bluish house paint is probably lead based!
