C2- instrument lights replacement - NOT!

[Tom Merkel]

The seats are out of my '67 (for refurbishment), which allowed me to lay flat, and put my head under the dash to replace some instrument bulbs. But how-in-heck can a grown man get a hand up far enough to service the ones up top?

Surely there's a lesson-learned somewhere out there? Or maybe a custom tool, special technique...?

By the way, I couldn't locate the original bulb G.E. 1816 (are they available?). So I put Sylvania # 1893's in.

Tom

[Bob R.]

Re: C2- instrument lights replacement - NOT!

There is one trick you could try to make the task a little easier. Remove the top cluster screws and install long ones. About 3" long if you can find them. Then remove all the short screws. This will allow you to pull the entire cluster out a little bit.

[Joe R.]

Re: C2- instrument lights replacement - NOT!

Tom,

You can find the original #1816 at NAPA. Don't know about the #1893 bulbs but the #1895 are too large for the instrument cluster. They will cause the plastic on the bright indicator to melt. You might want to check out NAPA for the #1816 and get horizontal again. Have fun!

Regards,

JR

[Tom H.]

Re: C2- instrument lights replacement - NOT!

I just got done doing this on my 63. I used all thread from the hardware store and you can make it a little longer that way. Just make sure you check all the bulbs before you put it all back together again or you'll have do it all over like I did. Mine started out with a burned out high beam light and ended up being a complete redo of the guage panel, then a new dash pad, but all went well. Good Luck Tom

[Gordon Peterson #4961]

Re: C2- instrument lights replacement - NOT!

Hi Tom -

1816's are available, they're not even the tough ones to find (try finding the self-flashing 257's!). I just bought a box of 1816's at the local car parts place and he had more. The point I want to make here is, when you find them, BUY THE ENTIRE BOX!

Good luck!

Pete