gauge cluster back plate | FerrariChat

gauge cluster back plate

Discussion in '308/328' started by bocaspyder360, Feb 9, 2008.

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  1. bocaspyder360

    bocaspyder360 Karting

    Jan 18, 2008
    184
    Some how I have a bunch of scrathes on the plate that holds all the gauges in my 1984 308... its black in color... did anyone ever remove it and reapint theirs? is there a special process involved... do you just paint over the exisitng or does it have to be sanded and preped a certain way.. any photos of redone back plates?

    thanks
     
  2. bocaspyder360

    bocaspyder360 Karting

    Jan 18, 2008
    184
    no one has redone their gauge cluster panel??
     
  3. desire308

    desire308 Formula 3

    Oct 19, 2007
    1,433
    Florida
    Full Name:
    Peter W
    You should get a response...eventually ;)

    I do know that on the 81 GTSi I own you pull out the warning lights in all 4 corners and there should be screws about 2 inches back. This is how you remove the cluster...of course you need to remove the steering wheel first. Try SEM Black Chrome Trim paint. I have used it for years. A light sanding is all that is required to prep for the paint. I use an air brush for my detail painting and just did this on some of the trim. It is an exact match.
     
  4. DMaury

    DMaury Formula 3

    Mar 27, 2007
    1,993
    Ponchatoula, LA
    Is it painted or anodized on a 308? I have a 328 and mine is black anodized.
     
  5. desire308

    desire308 Formula 3

    Oct 19, 2007
    1,433
    Florida
    Full Name:
    Peter W
    I just looked at mine...It may well be anodized. It does have that off black look.
     
  6. mwr4440

    mwr4440 Five Time F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Jun 8, 2007
    57,941
    Bavaria, The 'Other' Germany
    Full Name:
    Mark W.R.

    My 81 GTSi instrument cluster is out of the car right now; new lights and "new" 85mph - 180mph refaced speedo on the way. Mine is anodized.
     
  7. irondogmike

    irondogmike F1 Rookie

    Sep 8, 2006
    2,532
    San Diego area
    Full Name:
    Michael Tucker
    if I wanted to replace the light bulbs in the gauges so their a little brighter is that the way to get to them by taking the cluster panel off?
     
  8. miketuason

    miketuason F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Feb 24, 2006
    15,806
    Cerritos, CA.
    Full Name:
    Mike
    Actually on mine, I was thinking about replacing my black plate to the early model silver plate.
    Has anyone done this before?
     
  9. DMaury

    DMaury Formula 3

    Mar 27, 2007
    1,993
    Ponchatoula, LA
    #9 DMaury, Feb 10, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Yep. Just get the 4 indicators from each corner off and then you can get at the 4 screws holding it in. Then it just comes right out. Replacing the bulbs is straightforward after that.

    If you're planning on reanodizing the plate you don't have to be as careful as if you're not. But still be careful and don't scratch the aluminum. I'd get some needle nosed pliers, LIGHTLY grip the lens edges from each indicator and move them just enough to work a piece of fishing line behind them, then extract them.


    Let me know if you need the bulb replacement number; I have them out in my garage still in the packs.
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  10. desire308

    desire308 Formula 3

    Oct 19, 2007
    1,433
    Florida
    Full Name:
    Peter W
    Good deal...any idea where I can get the actual indicators? I am missing the fan indicator and the battery indicator is broken.
     
  11. mwr4440

    mwr4440 Five Time F1 World Champ
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    Jun 8, 2007
    57,941
    Bavaria, The 'Other' Germany
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    Mark W.R.
    Ok Guys it is time to give something back to those who have for many months helped me.

    Here goes:

    1) Instrument cluster bulbs:

    Sylvania bulb 3893 - http://www.servicelighting.com/catalog_product.cfm?prod=EK40659

    and

    Sylvania bulb 2723 - http://www.servicelighting.com/catalog_product.cfm?prod=MB27230

    I bought a case of each (10) but I will not use that many. I am ONLY replacing the bulbs that light the faces of the dials, NOT the indicator lights within the instruments. Saves on the number of bulbs you need and the indicators within the individual instruments are more than bright enough (at least on my car).

    2) The Indicator lights Fan, Battery, etc. I bought from T_Rutlands for $99 for the set of 4. You might be able to get them cheaper from Dennis McCann or others. I ordered the QV indicators (yes, they are different) as I liked them better because they have a white stencil on all 4 showing exactly what they are indicating (i.e. a white Fan on the Fan indicator, etc.) The one oddball one is the rear window defroster indicator lamp that I will use to replace the engiine Warm-up indicator. Instead of a plain yellow light I will have a yellow light with a depiction of heat on it. I kinda like it as it tells me that "Carmen" is warming up (I love it when girls get hot! :) )

    3) Recommend you by-pass the cluster dimmer (huge voltage loss at "full-bright," even after cleaning and adjusting it) by just making a metal, double-male splice and joining the 2 (wires) female connectors together and taping (insulating) them secure.

    4) When tackling this job, the 4 cluster mounting screws can drop down into the abyss?!?!?. They just seem to dis-a-fricking-pear. Amazing. I am still looking for one for the better part of a month and a half of weekends (my car and I are separated: me and work on one side of the country and my family and car on the other side). Other threads recommended using a magnet to ensure the screw does not drop into the ......... and you can get it out thru the indicator light hole. Anyway, that magnet trick did not work for me. Lost three; found two (so far). I bought 2 screw-drivers from Craftsman (one Philips-head, one straight-blade head) with pinchers on each side of the blade that lead to a collar near the handle. The pinchers hold the screw firmly to the driver head while you are trying to screw the whole darn thing together or apart. The collar when pushed forward opens the pinchers. In case that did not make sense……

    Here is the link for a pic and a purchase:

    http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00941124000P?vName=Tools&cName=Hand+Tools%2C+General+Purpose&sName=Screwdrivers&sbf=Brand&sbv=Craftsman

    MUCH EASIER way to get the cluster screws out and back in again.


    5) Remember where each mounting screw went. All four of mine were different.

    6) Finally, be VERY CAREFUL while you are wiggling the cluster around trying to disconnect all the wires as you can easily break one of the studs that hold the mounting brackets to the back of the instrument cluster plate. Yep, I busted one off. :(

    Hope this helps. :)

    Mark
     
  12. mwr4440

    mwr4440 Five Time F1 World Champ
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    Jun 8, 2007
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    Mark W.R.
    Oh and I forgot,

    If you replace your original bulbs with the ones above, your speedo will always be a bit dimmer than the tach. That is because the replacement (brighter than original) bulbs illuminating your tach's face and the new ones illuminating your speedo's face, have different wattage outputs, with the speedo bulbs being lower. I could not find matching wattage output bulbs in the 2 different required bulb configurations. I am trying to figure out a way to fix that and use the same bulbs across both instruments now, but early indications suggest it won't happen easily.

    mwr4440
     
  13. robertgarven

    robertgarven F1 Veteran
    Owner

    Feb 24, 2002
    5,294
    Ventura, California
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    Robert Garven
    I need to replace one turn indicator does anyone have any better pictures of the back of the speedo when out or the bulb seperated from the housing?
     
  14. Martin308GTB

    Martin308GTB F1 Rookie

    Jan 22, 2003
    4,259
    Black Forest Germany
    Full Name:
    Martin N.
    The most gentle way to remove the indicators on the panel without any danger of scratching the panel is by using dental floss.
    Wrap it around and pull. Works perfectly.

    Best Regards
    Martin
     
  15. mwr4440

    mwr4440 Five Time F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Jun 8, 2007
    57,941
    Bavaria, The 'Other' Germany
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    Robert,

    If you have seen the back of one gauge, they are all about the same. Sorry I don't have a pic. But eBay has many.
     
  16. Crowndog

    Crowndog F1 Veteran

    Jul 16, 2011
    7,042
    Fairfield,Pa
    Full Name:
    Robert
    In the QV it is not possible to lose screws into an abyss. Behind the faceplate it is a pretty much sealed area. While it's off just feel around as it goes as deep as the end of the binnacle cover.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  17. robertgarven

    robertgarven F1 Veteran
    Owner

    Feb 24, 2002
    5,294
    Ventura, California
    Full Name:
    Robert Garven
    Friends,

    I am actually talking about the bulb on the back of the speedo for the turn indicators. I have one that may be burnt out or loose.

    Rob
     
  18. Crowndog

    Crowndog F1 Veteran

    Jul 16, 2011
    7,042
    Fairfield,Pa
    Full Name:
    Robert


    Robert,
    Pictures with bulb types are in a DIY sticky above under Electrical, it's in the updated thread by Magnum on led replacement. Good luck. If you can't find it I'll send you the link.
    Oops got it; http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/308-328-sponsored-yellow-compass-group/278384-how-dash-lights-guide-v1-1-a.html
     
  19. ClydeM

    ClydeM F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Nov 4, 2003
    11,880
    Wayne, NJ
    Full Name:
    Clyde E. McMurdy
    I did too. One of these days I'll get around to trying to aluminum weld it back or replace it with a new stud.
     

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