Hey - did you know if you click on the title of a thread it will take you to the first unread post since you last visited that thread?
but were afraid to ask: 
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Pretty Please - add it to our Events forum(s) and add to the calendar! >> 
Trevor Jessie
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They require just a little bit of tweaking, but I did not break any when I replaced mine.
https://superlumination.com/otherleds.htm
https://superlumination.com/otherleds.htm
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tachometer wanted...or solution?
- Thread starter Stoney
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Trevor Jessie
Yoda
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I used "1449 E10 Screw Base Bulb" for my car
dklawson
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Returning to the RVC swap question you asked above....
I'm not sure what years will cross over as direct, drop-in gauge replacements. I thought by the time of your '69 most that the tach and speedo gauges were the nominal 4" size. I don't have one nearby to measure so hopefully someone with more Spridget parts will post a measurement and confirm the years. If they are the 4" gauges I don't think you'll find much aftermarket stuff that will just drop in. Once you enlarge the holes, going back won't be pretty. Using slightly smaller instruments will allow returning to stock later and won't involve much more work (to make adapter rings).
I have tested RVC gauges by connecting them to cars with electronic ignitions (Hitachi and Pertronix) and they have worked fine. While bench testing them I supply them DC pulses which will not correlate with the on/off/dwell times of a true ignition system. So... I'd have to say they are pulse sensing not voltage averaging.
For aftermarket gauges, there are a lot to choose from but remember that IF you go that route you need to supply new sending units to match your gauges. Make sure you select a fuel gauge that matches the range of the existing Smiths sending unit as it will not be fun adapting an aftermarket fuel sender. Also remember that your Smiths speedometer is set up to work with your car's existing final drive and tire size. A mechanical aftermarket gauge will not be. If you swap the speedo you may want to consider a programmable electronic one.
I'm not sure what years will cross over as direct, drop-in gauge replacements. I thought by the time of your '69 most that the tach and speedo gauges were the nominal 4" size. I don't have one nearby to measure so hopefully someone with more Spridget parts will post a measurement and confirm the years. If they are the 4" gauges I don't think you'll find much aftermarket stuff that will just drop in. Once you enlarge the holes, going back won't be pretty. Using slightly smaller instruments will allow returning to stock later and won't involve much more work (to make adapter rings).
I have tested RVC gauges by connecting them to cars with electronic ignitions (Hitachi and Pertronix) and they have worked fine. While bench testing them I supply them DC pulses which will not correlate with the on/off/dwell times of a true ignition system. So... I'd have to say they are pulse sensing not voltage averaging.
For aftermarket gauges, there are a lot to choose from but remember that IF you go that route you need to supply new sending units to match your gauges. Make sure you select a fuel gauge that matches the range of the existing Smiths sending unit as it will not be fun adapting an aftermarket fuel sender. Also remember that your Smiths speedometer is set up to work with your car's existing final drive and tire size. A mechanical aftermarket gauge will not be. If you swap the speedo you may want to consider a programmable electronic one.
Trevor Jessie
Yoda
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OK, A '69 has the padded dash and smaller instruments, correct? If that is the case, then RVC in that size are plentiful. And... Jack, if they are the smaller instruments, then they are just lit by a bulb stuck in the back. I tried to get mine bright enough by cleaning and painting, but was never happy with the results. The LEDs are pretty bright, and the wavelength they emit works better for my poor eyes. YMMV
JakSeMasTTU
Freshman Member
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Yes, he has the padded dash. Guages are lit (very poorly) by a single low-wattage lamp. He has the Smiths Tach that is like the last picture on the article dklawson posted (if memory serves...). Aftermarket guages (5.25" faces, I think?) almost fit the OEM hole, but not quite. I'm a little leery of reaming the holes, because then the padded cover is likely to fray badly. But it's my Uncle's car after all, it will depend on what he wants to do. Excellent advice all 'round, thanks guys!