C2 cluster amp guage question and paint question

[DarenSchneider]

)On the back of the cluster the wire for the amp guage plugs in the amp gauge and a condenser goes into on of the slots on the wire before attaching to the guage. Which slot does it go into. IF if touches the metal screw in the back of the gauage does it short?

2) The cigerette lighter has a bulb sheilded by an aluminum housing. How do you install this on the back of the cig lighter?

3) What color/finish are the screw/bolts heads that attach the cluster to the dash.

4) What color/finish is the column bracket that covers the steering column/dash cluster. The bracket is attached to the dash by 2 wood screws.

[Jack H.]

Re: C2 cluster amp guage question and paint questi

1) Option section U69 (Radio) shows the installation of capactitors associated with the radio. Depicts the headlight RF capacitor (that's the function of the capacitor attaching to the ammeter--thwart RF associated with initially turning the headlights on) connecting to the outboard lead (toward the driver's door) of the ammeter. On shorting, you do NOT want any ohmic contact between the ammeter posts and the instrument cluster...

2) Cig lighter sockets consisted of two major parts, (1) the socket and (2) the retainer. The retainer screws onto the socket from the back side of the dash and 'sandwiches' it against the instrument panel. There were two forms of these sockets--illuminated and un-illuminated. The illuminated socket had a retainer with 'slots' cut into it. The lamp assy has flexible prongs that you squeeze and insert into the retainer's slots to 'clip' the illumination lamp assy to the retainer and allow light to shine through the retainer into the socket.

3) Fasteners mounting the instrument cluster to the dash were black.

If your socket retainer doesn't have these slots, go figure it was replaced by a prior owner and a non-illuminated socket was used. If so, go to Wal Mart and you can buy an entire Casco illuminated socket assy for something like $4. Be aware the illuminated retainer will be correct but today's service replacement socket assy will NOT be factory concours correct for your car. Original sockets of the era had 3-prong 'grabbers' to hold the lighter element against the socket power contact while later era sockets were 'simplified/improved' to use only 2-prongs and savvy interior judges will take deduction(s) for a 2-prong socket where older/earlier 3-prong sockets ought to be.

4) Bracket holding column to dash is black, but 'wood screws' are not correct. Both sets of fasteners (bracket to dash, bracket to column) are cad/zinc plated with the bracket to column being machine threaded bolts and the bracket to dash being machine threaded bolts with tapered, non-threaded, tips.

[DarenSchneider]

Re: C2 cluster amp guage question and paint questi

So Jack, with respect to question 1. The plug wire is an "L" shape. The vertical side is closer to the passenger door, the horizontal side is closer to the drivers door. Am I correct in attaching the capacitor with the horizontal side (closer to the drivers door).

Thanks and Regards,

[James W.]

Re: C2 cluster amp guage question and paint questi

Hello Daren,

Yes, the capaciter is attachd to the amp gauge on the drivers side amp gauge post. If you are laying in the drivers side footwell looking up under the dash, it would be the right side terminal on the back of the amp gauge. There should be an "L" shaped wire connector that is attached to the amp gauge with a nut and I believe a small lock washer or star washer. The capacitor plug-in connects to the "L" shaped wire connector.

Best Regards,

James West
Omaha, NE.
Member #18379
1964 Corvette #9258