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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Virginia
Posts: 45
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Gauge cluster questions - covered bulbs, oil
Hi,
I am in the middle of trying to replace my AC center vent grille and have removed the glove box and gauge cluster in order to try and ease what has turned out to be a real PITA job. Since my gauge cluster is already out I figured I would paint the needles which need a new coat pretty bad and also change the bulbs because my dash has always seemed very dark during the night. I noticed a couple of odd things after I pulled out the gauge cluster though.
Thanks for any help |
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#2 |
Post Whore
![]() Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Portland Oregon
Posts: 11,117
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Re: Gauge cluster questions - covered bulbs, oil
The tubes are for the turn signal and high beam indicators. Without the tubes at night your dash lights will appear to flash when the turn signals flash. And the high beam indicator would also affect the lighting on the speedometer side. It is tough to say on the oil. It could be left over from a past leak. I would install it and monitor it closely for a signs of a leak.
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Thanks to Bob and Jeanie and everyone else at Superior Performance for all their great help. ![]() RIP Bob Parks. 1967 Burban (the WMB),1988 S10 Blazer (the Stink10 II),1969 GTO (the Goat), 1970 Javelin, 1952 F2 Ford OHC six 4X4, 29 Model A, 72 Firebird (the DBP Bird). 85 Alfa Romeo If it breaks I didn't want it in the first place The WMB repair thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=698377 |
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#3 |
20' Daredevil (Ret)
![]() Join Date: May 2003
Location: Jefferson State
Posts: 13,628
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Re: Gauge cluster questions - covered bulbs, oil
There may be brighter bulbs (or LEDs) available for the cluster. Someone might chime in, or you could do a board search for the info.
1. Those little cardboard tubes are to allow bulbs to be placed on the circuit board (like all the others) but have the light directed only where needed. They are for the warning lights, not the gauges. Your dash may be dim because of burned-out bulbs, or a defective dimmer in the headlight switch (it rotates to make the dash cluster bulbs brighter or dimmer). 2. You have a mechanical oil gauge and the small (brass or copper?) line to the gauge has oil in it. The connection was probably just a bit loose.
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- Mike - 1972 K20 LWB 350/350/205 RIP El Jay |
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Virginia
Posts: 45
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Re: Gauge cluster questions - covered bulbs, oil
Thanks for the quick responses guys, glad I didn't discard the covers
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#5 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Albuquerque NM
Posts: 7,848
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Re: Gauge cluster questions - covered bulbs, oil
look for the 921 LED bulbs. huge difference.
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1967custom |
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#6 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Liberty Twp, Ohio
Posts: 338
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Re: Gauge cluster questions - covered bulbs, oil
I’ll be doing the same tonight or tomorrow..
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Doug ![]() 71 Sierra Grande C25 16 Sierra 2500HD All Terrain 23 Chevy Tahoe Z71 https://paypal.me/digdug7131?locale.x=en_US |
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#7 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Jurupa Valley, Ca
Posts: 1,210
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Re: Gauge cluster questions - covered bulbs, oil
2 easy things to do to brighten your dash. first is make sure the connection to the fuse holder for the lights is clean. Mine was not making a good connection causing the bulbs to be really dim. And 2nd LED bulbs. I bought a pack from Amazon and it made a huge difference. Also they are dim-able.
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Terry 1970 Custom Camper/C20 , GM Crate 350/7004R, Dana 60, factory AC |
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#8 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Jurupa Valley, Ca
Posts: 1,210
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Re: Gauge cluster questions - covered bulbs, oil
Here is the pic
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Terry 1970 Custom Camper/C20 , GM Crate 350/7004R, Dana 60, factory AC |
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#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Virginia
Posts: 45
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Re: Gauge cluster questions - covered bulbs, oil
Would these work? http://a.co/d/iQni43h
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#10 | |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Liberty Twp, Ohio
Posts: 338
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Re: Gauge cluster questions - covered bulbs, oil
Quote:
I have these... https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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Doug ![]() 71 Sierra Grande C25 16 Sierra 2500HD All Terrain 23 Chevy Tahoe Z71 https://paypal.me/digdug7131?locale.x=en_US |
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#11 |
20' Daredevil (Ret)
![]() Join Date: May 2003
Location: Jefferson State
Posts: 13,628
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Re: Gauge cluster questions - covered bulbs, oil
That pic looks great! Did you use the same bulbs posted by DA71Grande? (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
His pic looks about the same as yours. Both very nice, and now I'm wishing I would have replaced my bulbs when I had my dash apart. For DA71Grande: Just noticed your oil pressure gauge appears dim. Bad bulb in that position maybe? Thanks...
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- Mike - 1972 K20 LWB 350/350/205 RIP El Jay |
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#12 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Inman/Boiling Springs, SC
Posts: 420
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Re: Gauge cluster questions - covered bulbs, oil
I went to LED recently, love them.
You might like this thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=760647
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1985 C10 shortbed, current project. Member of the Upstate SC GM Truck Club. |
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#13 |
The Older Generation
![]() ![]() ![]() Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Montezuma, Iowa
Posts: 25,487
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Re: Gauge cluster questions - covered bulbs, oil
-
As far as the oil line, the compression sleeve nut on the back of the gauge could be loose or the line could have a crack in it. The nut usually takes a 3/8" wrench but I have seen a few that were 5/16". Here is a picture of the sleeve nut. The cone shaped end tightens down on the oil line to seal it when the nut is tightened up..... LockDoc
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Leon Locksmith, Specializing In Antique Trucks, Automobiles, & Motorcycles (My Dually Pickup Project Thread) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=829820 - |
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#14 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Sumner, WA
Posts: 34
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Re: Gauge cluster questions - covered bulbs, oil
I just swapped to LED yesterday as well as painted my gauge needles. I also painted the front black housing black again and the reflector that is a coral color gloss white to help light reflect better.
edit: these are the bulbs i used. https://www.amazon.com/Yorkim-Genera.../dp/B00JRE38EA Last edited by bozly; 11-03-2018 at 10:19 AM. |
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#15 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: phoenix
Posts: 50
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Re: Gauge cluster questions - covered bulbs, oil
Quote:
Is your gear indicator illuminated? I'm not sure it that's stock or did you add a light? |
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#16 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Sumner, WA
Posts: 34
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Re: Gauge cluster questions - covered bulbs, oil
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#17 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Malvern, PA
Posts: 951
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Re: Gauge cluster questions - covered bulbs, oil
Quote:
Thank so much for sharing the bulb information. I picked up a set of the bulbs you used. The results are impressive- they're dimmable too. From what I've read, the LEDs don't typically dim much.
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Photo Gallery of 1972 K/5 Blazer CST |
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#18 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: BY THE CAROLINA SEA
Posts: 919
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Re: Gauge cluster questions - covered bulbs, oil
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FRANKENTRUCK 1981 Chevrolet C10 Shortbed Stepside GRANDTRUCK 1968 Chevrolet C10 Stepside Longbed http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=584617 PROJECT JIGSAW 1967 GMC C3500 GREAT WHITE 1986 Blazer M1009 |
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#19 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Malvern, PA
Posts: 951
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Re: Gauge cluster questions - covered bulbs, oil
Looks great in green too! The radioactive green glow is intense. Reminds me of slimer from ghostbusters.
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Photo Gallery of 1972 K/5 Blazer CST |
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#20 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Inman/Boiling Springs, SC
Posts: 420
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Re: Gauge cluster questions - covered bulbs, oil
How dimable are they? All I have found don't dim or are sporadic when you try to dim them.
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1985 C10 shortbed, current project. Member of the Upstate SC GM Truck Club. |
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#21 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Malvern, PA
Posts: 951
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Re: Gauge cluster questions - covered bulbs, oil
Quote:
To help answer your question, here is a video of my LED dash lights being dimmed. https://photos.app.goo.gl/GwhNJsoS7zn11twW8 Hope this helps.
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Photo Gallery of 1972 K/5 Blazer CST |
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#22 | |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Inman/Boiling Springs, SC
Posts: 420
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Re: Gauge cluster questions - covered bulbs, oil
Quote:
__________________
1985 C10 shortbed, current project. Member of the Upstate SC GM Truck Club. |
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#23 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Malvern, PA
Posts: 951
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Re: Gauge cluster questions - covered bulbs, oil
If the white LED dash lights were too bright then it might be time to upgrade your headlights with LEDs too.
![]() Here's a dash photo from tonight with Hella H4 conversions headlights outfitted with H4 LEDs from Super Bright LEDs. $180 in total for the entire upgrade (LED dash lights ($10), headlight harness with relays($20), H4 conversions ($70) and LED H4 bulb ($80)) was money well spent.
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Photo Gallery of 1972 K/5 Blazer CST Last edited by Green Monster; 07-26-2019 at 07:52 AM. |
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#24 | |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Inman/Boiling Springs, SC
Posts: 420
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Re: Gauge cluster questions - covered bulbs, oil
Quote:
That is on the to do list, amazon has them for $80 a set. I have old school headlight covers on my halogens and use the high beam all the time. With the dash lights I'm just not big on them being overly bright, the wife gets pissed every time I use her car cause I turn hers down.
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1985 C10 shortbed, current project. Member of the Upstate SC GM Truck Club. |
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#25 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Tulsa, OK
Posts: 415
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Re: Gauge cluster questions - covered bulbs, oil
I'm subbing in for future info.
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1971 C10 - Hugger Orange/White My Build Thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=780197 LS Swap Thread: https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=811460 |
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