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328 Instrument lights

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by P Betz, Dec 17, 2005.

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  1. P Betz

    P Betz Rookie

    Sep 22, 2005
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    Lynchburg, Virginia
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    Peter Betz
    #1 P Betz, Dec 17, 2005
    I have recently purchased an '87 328. I feel compelled to get the tach serviced or replaced as it reads about 20% low accross the rev range. I thought I would go ahead and upgrade the speedo and tach lighting even though I find no great fault with the current brightness. I have discovered the recommended upgrade is to Sylvania 2723 lights (type W2.3W) for the Speedo and Sylvania 3893 (type T4W) for the tach. What I would like to know is what the original bulb specs/type are. I cannot assume they are the same as noted above as comments in previous threads suggest a wattage difference. I have been talking with Daniel Stern about lighting upgrades as he seems to be quite an authority on automotive lighting. He cannot provide an opinion about the posted upgraded bulbs without this info. I would like the bulbs in hand before taking everything apart. I'll post his opinion when I get it.

    Thanks in advance,
    Peter
     
  2. Gatorrari

    Gatorrari F1 World Champ
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    Feb 27, 2004
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    Jim Pernikoff
    #2 Gatorrari, Dec 17, 2005
    I recently replaced my tach as it read about 50% off (as well as having some cosmetic issues). Before installing the new tach I did the bulb upgrade, and I'm glad I did. Now the tach lighting is very nearly as bright as the center-dash instrument cluster--not great, but still much more readable than before.

    Unfortunately the speedometer bulb fixtures proved impossible to remove--probably a result of the fact that this is a 20-year-old unit--so I left it alone. But the speedo lighting, of course, is still crap.
     
  3. hardtop

    hardtop F1 World Champ

    Jan 31, 2002
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    Dave
    #3 hardtop, Dec 17, 2005
    328's and 3.2 Mondials have tachs that go bad a lot. They can be rebuilt by a couple of places for about 150. This is about the only weak point on these cars. Do a search to get places to do this.

    DAve
     
  4. P Betz

    P Betz Rookie

    Sep 22, 2005
    14
    Lynchburg, Virginia
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    Peter Betz
    #4 P Betz, Dec 18, 2005
    Maybe I should clarify, I specifically am looking for the original bulb type for the speedo and tach lighting. There have been a number of threads already discussing the tach and speedo issues and bulb upgrades at length. We could reinvent the wheel, but I didn't intend to do that. Having said that, thanks for the encouragement to get the tach addressed.

    Thanks again.
    Peter
     
  5. peajay

    peajay Formula Junior

    Apr 17, 2002
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    near Paris, France
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    Paul
    #5 peajay, Dec 18, 2005
  6. P Betz

    P Betz Rookie

    Sep 22, 2005
    14
    Lynchburg, Virginia
    Full Name:
    Peter Betz
    #6 P Betz, Dec 18, 2005
    Yes, I have had the opportunity to read every thread and link (I think) many times over before deciding my course. However, that article, where I sourced the recommended replacement bulbs, did not tell me the specs on the original factory dash lights.

    Thanks for the help though.

    Peter
     
  7. f355spider

    f355spider F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    May 29, 2001
    18,055
    USA
    #7 f355spider, Dec 18, 2005
    Peter,
    I'm one of the originators of the instrument light upgrade FAQ some years ago...I have upgraded both a 308 and a 328...my memory is fading on all of this and I did extensive research on the various bulbs...I recall the originals were a 1893 which is upgraded to a 3893 and a 1.2 watt bulb (74?) which is upgraded to a 2723. I think one bulb the increase is not quite as much as the other, but more importantly, one particular guage does not seem to take to the upgrade as well as the other, so there will appear to be a slight imbalance between the two in brightness.

    Good luck if Daniel can assist with some better cross references, that would be terrific.

    Regards,
    Dave
     

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