12 replies to this topic

[BaronVonchesto]

I have the centre binnacle type gauges with the smiths temperature and oil pressure gauges (the mechanical oil gauge and the unspecific C/N/H type temp gauge).

 

The backlights are extremely dim. On a dark road with no streetlights, I can just barely see the faintest of glows coming through. The first thing I suspected was an electrical issue, but the lights are decently bright when the bulb is out of the meters. I even replaced them with brighter LED bulbs.

 

The problem isn't the lights themselves, but rather the light just isn't coming through. I suppose over the years the gaps must have gotten blocked or something. is there a guide somewhere on how to open up the gauges to clean and restore them?

 

PS: Actually I've had this problem for many years, but since I hardly ever drive the car at night, I'm only now just getting down to looking into this 

[mad4classics]

The bezels are peened over in three places and need to be twisted slightly to line up with cutouts in the body. Unless new the bezel rubber will have turned to glue making things difficult and can result in a new bezel being needed. The temp gauge will come apart with just a couple of screws but the oil guage fitting holds that together.

I find the interior surface has usually deteriorated / rusted so the illumination is like a dim candle. I use humbrol eggshell and white after cleaning up the surface. Brightens things up!


https://www.autoelec...gauges-68-c.asp

Edited by mad4classics, 29 May 2023 - 05:28 PM.

[Spider]

Effective yet non-glare lighting of these gauges relies on the light reflecting within them from the white-ish colour they are painted on the inside. For the light to reflect here, it needs to come from the source fairly evenly with it giving out in just about all directions.

 

The issue with fitting LEDs is all the ones I have seen have a lens fitted to them and so the light is directed in one general direction, with next to no light coming from the sides of them. I believe non-lensed LEDs are available. I did try LEDs years back in the smaller Smiths gauges and found it useless.

You may need to take the gauges apart as mad suggested above and clean them out, possibly even a re-paint, then fit them with incandescent 2.2 or 3.0 Watt Bulbs and you'll find they'll be fine to see at night.

[BaronVonchesto]

Effective yet non-glare lighting of these gauges relies on the light reflecting within them from the white-ish colour they are painted on the inside. For the light to reflect here, it needs to come from the source fairly evenly with it giving out in just about all directions.

 

The issue with fitting LEDs is all the ones I have seen have a lens fitted to them and so the light is directed in one general direction, with next to no light coming from the sides of them. I believe non-lensed LEDs are available. I did try LEDs years back in the smaller Smiths gauges and found it useless.

You may need to take the gauges apart as mad suggested above and clean them out, possibly even a re-paint, then fit them with incandescent 2.2 or 3.0 Watt Bulbs and you'll find they'll be fine to see at night.

 

I previously took the gauge apart a few years back to give it a clean as it had misted up inside. Will give it another go and see what i can do to get the light to come through more clearly.

 

FYI I got an LED bulb that  is lensed such that it distributes lights in all directions (rounded lens, not focusing lens). So I suspect like you say it isn't reflecting much, or perhaps the space for the light to come through has somehow been blocked.

though these gauges have always had really dim lights for as long as I have had this car even when they were using incandescents.

[BaronVonchesto]

So question...

 

How exactly do I get to the area inside the meter that needs to be repainted? It is easy enough to remove the bezel and glass, but I've no idea how to take the metal shell off the back.

[mad4classics]

So question...

How exactly do I get to the area inside the meter that needs to be repainted? It is easy enough to remove the bezel and glass, but I've no idea how to take the metal shell off the back.

DON'T BEND THE NEEDLES!

In the case of the electrical temp gauge it's the two connection post nuts that hold the SRBF sub assembly with all the delicate bits on inside the shell. TAKE NOTE OF THE ORDER OF WASHERS AND INSULATORS.

With the oil pressure gauge it's the nut on the connection fitting which is holding things together and can be difficult to remove. You will need patience and ingi unity.

Edited by mad4classics, 04 June 2023 - 08:13 AM.

[BaronVonchesto]

yes the Temp gauge is really easy to take apart. the key was to unscrew the connection posts then after removing the bezel it came off easily. am wondering if i should replace the faceplate or just paint it myself haha.

[BaronVonchesto]

any suggestions for where I can get new faces for my temp and oil pressure gauges? Someone that'll post it to Malaysia. I'd like to refurb my gauges since I have them open

[mad4classics]

any suggestions for where I can get new faces for my temp and oil pressure gauges? Someone that'll post it to Malaysia. I'd like to refurb my gauges since I have them open

Would probably be worth contacting Smiths in the UK direct. They do all sorts.

https://www.smiths-instruments.co.uk/

Another option is this overlay idea in USA; I've never seen this done before..

https://www.prancing...ges_smiths.html

Edited by mad4classics, 04 June 2023 - 10:12 AM.

[Spider]

Somerfords sell many parts for the Smith Gauges, though, I can't recall if they did the faces, but you'll likely find you'll damage the bezels getting them off. Somerfords have these in different styles as well as the sealing O rings.

 

Certainly the faces that mad4classics has suggest look sensational.

[BaronVonchesto]

Somerfords sell many parts for the Smith Gauges, though, I can't recall if they did the faces, but you'll likely find you'll damage the bezels getting them off. Somerfords have these in different styles as well as the sealing O rings.

 

Certainly the faces that mad4classics has suggest look sensational.

indeed. I came across those stickers before, but do not have the confidence to be able to paste them properly on the faces. I just know I'll bork it up

[BaronVonchesto]

i just wanted to update that painting the insides with a fresh layer of silver or white acrylic spray paint does the trick! The light comes through beautifully now.

Oh an removing the focusing lens from the LED bulb also helps a lot.

[BaronVonchesto]

 

any suggestions for where I can get new faces for my temp and oil pressure gauges? Someone that'll post it to Malaysia. I'd like to refurb my gauges since I have them open

Would probably be worth contacting Smiths in the UK direct. They do all sorts.

https://www.smiths-instruments.co.uk/

Another option is this overlay idea in USA; I've never seen this done before..

https://www.prancing...ges_smiths.html

 

 

sadly both smiths and speedy cables declined to sell the dial faces directly. So that leaves DIYers either the stickers or trying to restore it by hand