| Author |
Message |
Matthew Lemus (Mlemus)
New member
Username: Mlemus
Post Number: 48
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 03, 2002 - 10:02 pm: | |
There is a slight difference on mine between the tach and the speedo but a huge difference from when it was stock. I changed my bulbs at the same time so that could be why there is only a little difference between the two. |
david handa (Davehanda)
Junior Member
Username: Davehanda
Post Number: 185
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 03, 2002 - 8:49 pm: | |
Have those of you who recently done the upgrade noticed if the speedo and tach where both about the same intensity? I ask, because I just realized there may be a slight difference in the height of the filament between the stock and upgrade bulb with the bayonet mount. Not sure if it makes a difference or not. When I did the upgrade on my 308, there was a difference, but my mechanic and I attributed it to construction of the tach, for being a bit darker...
My 328 is still in the shop, so I can't check this out. |
Verell Boaen (Verell)
Member
Username: Verell
Post Number: 304
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 03, 2002 - 4:30 pm: | |
I held off on the light bulb upgrade until I had to pull the steering wheel for another reason.
I was holding off for fear of stripping out the hex holes. Would have done it sooner if I'd known/thought of Magoo's trick of unbolting the steering column.
If you have to pull the steering wheel for any reason, put some anti-sieze on the allen head bolts & the tapered underside of the head.
I hold onto an ancient can of NAPA powdered lead anti-sieze that I use when I don't want to turn something brite silver. However there must be some dark colored anti-sieze out there.
I also don't torque them down super tight, just until they start to get snug. So far there's no sign of one coming loose. |
Matthew Lemus (Mlemus)
New member
Username: Mlemus
Post Number: 45
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Monday, September 02, 2002 - 7:47 pm: | |
seems like "the most time for your light" ratio is to change the bulbs AND do the bypass mod.
ps. Take magoo's advice and drop the column before the mod. It's not worth the time if you strip the allen head bolts |
Brent Lachelt (Brent_lachelt)
New member
Username: Brent_lachelt
Post Number: 19
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Monday, September 02, 2002 - 6:28 pm: | |
This place is sooo great!!! Several months ago I too replaced all the bulbs with little change in brightness. Then I read this thread, ran into the shop, made the change by jumping the rheostat and now there is light!!! Is this a great country or what? |
Dr. I. M. Ibrahim (Coachi)
Junior Member
Username: Coachi
Post Number: 91
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Monday, September 02, 2002 - 3:23 pm: | |
I too have bought the kit and changed the bulbs...but noticed very little improvement if any. I will follow your suggestions and bypass the rheostat; it sounds like a grand idea... |
Matthew Lemus (Mlemus)
New member
Username: Mlemus
Post Number: 43
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Monday, September 02, 2002 - 2:33 pm: | |
Actually they are much brighter with the mod. I was referring to the new bulbs. I changed them first and was underwhelmed. Once I did the mod they were much, much brighter. |
magoo (Magoo)
Advanced Member
Username: Magoo
Post Number: 3099
Registered: 2-2001
| | Posted on Monday, September 02, 2002 - 1:35 pm: | |
Matthew, Sorry it couldn't have been more exciting but the difference is minimal if any. Frankly I was disappointed also. There has been a lot of discussion on this mod., but no great improvement. |
Matthew Lemus (Mlemus)
New member
Username: Mlemus
Post Number: 41
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Monday, September 02, 2002 - 11:55 am: | |
Magoo,
I followed your advice to drop the column and jumped the switch. I had the bulbs on hand and saw a slight difference but not enough to care.
I did leave the new bulbs in however. After 24 years, they needed it. My lights are as bright as my neighbor's new Barchetta's
Thanks again,
Matt |
magoo (Magoo)
Advanced Member
Username: Magoo
Post Number: 3094
Registered: 2-2001
| | Posted on Monday, September 02, 2002 - 10:54 am: | |
Craig, It is funny you mentioned that ferrari club post that suggests the various bulbs to use. I used them,after looking for some time to find the ones suggested, and the difference couldn't be seen. I think crossing them over preventing the voltage drop is the key to getting about all of the brightness you can get out of the orig bulbs. JMO |
magoo (Magoo)
Advanced Member
Username: Magoo
Post Number: 3093
Registered: 2-2001
| | Posted on Monday, September 02, 2002 - 10:47 am: | |
John, You are correct but I found it is better to take the nuts off the bottom of the steering column where it bolts to the dash because the allen heads tend to cut out each time the wheel is removed. JMO |
Matthew Lemus (Mlemus)
New member
Username: Mlemus
Post Number: 40
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Monday, September 02, 2002 - 10:26 am: | |
Does anyone know what the wire gauge size is? |
Matthew Lemus (Mlemus)
New member
Username: Mlemus
Post Number: 39
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Monday, September 02, 2002 - 7:43 am: | |
Thank you all for your help. I will let you know how it goes. |
Craig Dewey (Craigfl)
Member
Username: Craigfl
Post Number: 442
Registered: 1-2001
| | Posted on Monday, September 02, 2002 - 7:01 am: | |
Don't forget to read this too...
http://www.ferrariclub.com/faq/dashlights.html |
JohnR. (Rivee)
Junior Member
Username: Rivee
Post Number: 83
Registered: 1-2002
| | Posted on Monday, September 02, 2002 - 1:02 am: | |
Matt, you can just remove the steering wheel to have access to the dash cluster and remove it. |
magoo (Magoo)
Advanced Member
Username: Magoo
Post Number: 3089
Registered: 2-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, September 01, 2002 - 11:33 pm: | |
No, You have to remove the dash cluster and then jump the wires on the back of the dimmer rehostat. To remove the cluster on your 78 take out the warning lights on the 4 corners of your cluster. Look in with a flashlight and you will see the screws to remove the pull the cluster forward to remove the wire harness plugs from the back. It is easier to drop the sterring column to access the cluster. This gives you more room to pull the cluster forward. |
Matthew Lemus (Mlemus)
New member
Username: Mlemus
Post Number: 37
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, September 01, 2002 - 10:52 pm: | |
Is that done with a jumper on the fuse block? |
magoo (Magoo)
Advanced Member
Username: Magoo
Post Number: 3087
Registered: 2-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, September 01, 2002 - 10:11 pm: | |
Matthew, There has been much discussion about that here on the F.C.. In fact check the archives. There has been posts on changing out light bulbs to make it brighter. In fact there is a kit you can buy with bulbs in it to brighten the guages.They don't work. The best solution is the one Ed Gualt did on his 308 and that is to jump the terminals on the back of the rehostat so it by passes the rheostat and the lights run directly on full voltage. This is about the best you can get out of them but it won't blind you when you make the change. Naturally you will not be able to dim them after this modification. |
Matthew Lemus (Mlemus)
New member
Username: Mlemus
Post Number: 35
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, September 01, 2002 - 9:41 pm: | |
Is there a way to make them brighter? I turned the dimmer knob to the brightest setting but they are still difficult to read even while it is pitch black at night. |