speed indicator numbers

[drcrad]

Have not driven a 1965 tbird since 1965. so can not remember much about how the night time lighted indicators work. my rolling speedometer dial seems to work, but at night can not tell what speed I am going. seems like someone has painted over raised boxes with their embossed numbers.

Should not there be light behind the numbers?

[redbird1]

Originally Posted by drcrad

Have not driven a 1965 tbird since 1965. so can not remember much about how the night time lighted indicators work. my rolling speedometer dial seems to work, but at night can not tell what speed I am going. seems like someone has painted over raised boxes with their embossed numbers.

Should not there be light behind the numbers?

Yes, and I would suggest trying to find another panel with the numbers correctly shown.
That might be hard to do, as you have to find one with the correct color of your existing dash.
I spent two days last year removing the paint that the PO had gone over the numbers with.
It was a real pita, but they came out great.
Bob.

[drcrad]

thanks for your reply Bob. Now to figure out how to remove the indicator panel. Should be something on youtube.com., besides using my shop manual and other sources. will try to keep you posted on progress.

[redbird1]

Take it from someone who has been there, once you get to the wiring behind the dash panel, label the wires so you know what connects to what.
This turned out to be a win, win for me.
Now, removing the dash panel with the speedometer isn't all that difficult.
What is difficult is removing the paint on the numbers, and re-painting them where they should be painted.
Another hint, once you lower the steering column, cover it with a thick towel before sliding the dash panel out.
Doing this will prevent scratching it.
I had no reference to go by when I did mine, just my eyes to tell me what to remove, and what to leave alone.
There is a thread on another Tbird forum I belongtoo that deals with this subject.
Click the link below.
If you aren't a member of this forum, I would suggest you join it.
http://www.vintagethunderbirdclub.ne...ometer+numbers
Bob.

[redbird1]

To give you an idea of what this involves, here are pics of the finished product.
This is the part you are concerned with.
Once you have the dash panel removed, you will see this part in place on the metal housing which is on the rear of the dash panel.
This plastic piece that has the numbers on it, is held in place by phillips screws.
If you are going to tackle this project yourself, use rounded wood toothpicks and mineral spirits to remove the paint that covers thenumbers.
After all the paint is removed, you will need to re-do the silver part of the numbers.
For this, you can go to a hobby/craft shop and pick up a paint marker pencil.
They come in all colors including silver.
Bob.

[drcrad]

thanks, redbird1, just joined today and have already had two great replies. the pics are a lot of help. appreciate the info on removing, restoring the painted area. will keep y'all posted

[Jsteencken]

Hi just wanted to share some pictures of the instrument cluster from my 1966 Thunderbird. Following the steps others have left, I think the end result is very good. Enhance the worn out numbers on the speedometer and replaced original gauges with Autometer Cobalt gauges.

[drcrad]

I cannot fathom why anyone would spray paint over the numbers, but the finished product I see motivates me to tackle the job