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Dashboard lights

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Jerseygirl

Jerseygirl

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While working on wiring up the new speakers and head unit in my '79 Spit, I thought it would be a good time to change out the old bulbs in all the various gauges and idiot lights on the dash. I know they're never going to be "bright", but I did the same thing in my old Volvo and the new bulbs definitely made an improvement. I had hoped that since the car has Smith's gauges (like the Volvo), it would take the same bulbs as that car. No such luck.

I haven't had a chance to really look at the two bulbs I pulled out yet (one from the fuel gauge and one from the brake warning light, but is there any possibility that these are bulbs that I could pick up at some place like Radio Shack, or am I doomed to have to order them from someplace online? I'm guessing the answer is going to be the latter, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Anybody know?
 
Radio Shack has them but the pack indicates a short life. I used some for a year without failure but not much night driving and eventually got a bunch from TRF and replaced all.
 
Robyn,

You may have to go to Moss Motors or Victoria British for those bulbs. We're talking nickles and dimes here. I also replaced some burned out ones in my 6. If the illumination seems excessively dim the problem may not be with the bulbs, but rather with the plastic covers of the gauges being fogged or dirty.
 
Try going to Autolumination.com they have any size bulb you could need. They als sell replacemnt bulbs in led for wich would definatly be brighter.
 
I will have to check out that site. The LED's could be interesting, assuming they are just plug and play. I don't want to get into any modifications.

I was just hoping that I'd be able to go pick up some bulbs locally, without having to endure the time and shipping expense of mail order (shipping would probably be more than the bulbs themselves). Sounds like I may just have to bite the bullet and place an order, especially if any bulbs I get locally may not have a very long lifespan. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Thanks for the tips!

Besides, it sounds like I may be heading for a new brake master cylinder or, at a minimum, a repair kit. While working on my stereo, I noticed some fluid on the floor. Running my hand over the brake pedal revealed that it is wet. Crap. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cryin.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]

Besides, it sounds like I may be heading for a new brake master cylinder or, at a minimum, a repair kit. While working on my stereo, I noticed some fluid on the floor. Running my hand over the brake pedal revealed that it is wet. Crap. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cryin.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

ah... the joys of old car ownership. Don't worry... discoveries like these are never going to stop... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
ah... the joys of old car ownership. Don't worry... discoveries like these are never going to stop... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Yep... I'm in the next bay pulling the suspension out of the Volvo and I hear, "umm.. is there supposed to be water on the floor?" ... "umm... no... why? ...hmm... (touch, sniff) ...this ain't water... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif "

And to add to the fun, I'm coming down with the flu... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/nopity.gif
 
Oh, I'm familiar with the routine. Just hurts when one part is soooo expensive. This kills my thoughts of getting some nice shiny Superlites for the car now. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Fortunately, we've spoken to Tom down at British Miles and he's got the master cylinder AND the bulbs I need so I'll kill two birds with one stone when I swing down there (hopefully today) to pick everything up.
 
The leds I put in my TR6 came from them, The price was right .the shipping was cheep and they were "plug and play" also very bright compaired to the original lights. Especially the green ones ther're kind of nuclear like.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Fortunately, we've spoken to Tom down at British Miles

[/ QUOTE ]

Hi Robyn, you have an address and a number for this place? I'm always looking for local places to get parts/get stuff done on LBC's.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Hi Robyn, you have an address and a number for this place? I'm always looking for local places to get parts/get stuff done on LBC's.

[/ QUOTE ]

www.britishmiles.com

Great guy and generous with advice, although right now they're swamped preparing an Austin Healy 3000 for the A-C auction.
 
British Miles
9278 Old East Tyburn Rd
Morrisville, PA 19067
(215) 736-9300
www.britishmiles.com

The owner's name is Tom. He's usually hard to get a hold of but he does return calls and like Ian said, once you get a hold of him he's very willing to talk... a lot.

It's so nice having a local source for parts and when all else fails, service. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Heading down there now to pick up my master cylinder...
 
Great, thanks guys. I'm looking for someone to rebuild my rear hubs on the 6. Got them out and ready to go but my friend that runs a shop local to me doesn't want to monkey with them for fear of ruining them on his press, and he doesn't have the right tool. I was gonna send them to TRF but I'd like to get a few other estimates on price and not have to pay shipping (meaning a local place would be good). I'll give him a call or send an email shortly.
 
Don't bother with the email. I tried that route and got no response, yet called on the phone and we were down picking up our parts the next day. The phone is the way to go with them.
 
[ QUOTE ]
The leds I put in my TR6 came from them.

[/ QUOTE ]

Autoluminations?
don
 
Re: Dashboard lights[eureka!]

BRITISHWIRING@AMERITECH.NET Can help with your search for dashboard bulbs.Give them a call at 708-481-9050.The bulb you need is a screw-in type(UK made)PN;LLB987 2-3 WATT.Call that number the lady that answers will be more than glad to answer your questions.While your at it you should pick up some glass fuses for your Spit,Make sure you USE BRITISH fuses & NOT Americam FUSES which are dangerous to use in these British cars;The fuse is a 71/2amp25 amp continuous.Any larger fuse will overheat the wiring......NOTE;.Order a catalog their free.And your welcome to visit Whitelightning at https://myspitfire.zoomshare.com....say hello /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/savewave.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/driving.gif
 
Re: Dashboard lights[eureka!]

[ QUOTE ]
Make sure you USE BRITISH fuses & NOT Americam FUSES which are dangerous to use in these British cars;The fuse is a 71/2amp25 amp continuous.Any larger fuse will overheat the wiring....

[/ QUOTE ]Do you mean "35 amp / 17 amp continuous"; that would've been the original Lucas fuse spec for the Spitfires. IF one were to substitute a typical American fuse for an original 35 amp Lucas, I think you'd be ok with a 20 amp fuse, but definitely nothing higher rated.
 
Re: Dashboard lights[eureka!]

Hmmm... spare fuses. That would be good thing to have! Guess I'll pick some up next time I make a parts run over to PA, which, with the way things have been going, should be in a day or two... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yesnod.gif
 
autolumination.com they have evey light you could think of.
 
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