Smiths Gauges

I finally got bored of having a dimmer oil pressure gauge than voltmeter, even though both are cosmetically idnetical Smiths 2″ gauges. While both matched in daylight, the older original oil pressure gauge was illuminated much more dimly and bluer than the new voltmeter, to the extent that it was hard to read at night. I removed it and opened it up, and was very surprised at what I found. Whoever thought it was a good idea to paint the inside of the instruments cornflower blue needs their head examined.

I have given the innards a coat of white enamel, so the instrument illumination should now more closely match the voltmeter. I have painted the bulbs green to suit the lighting on the Carling Technologies switches and lighter sockets, and this will mask any slight variation in the shade of white paint used in the two instuments. It will also mask the blue tinge to the speedo.

Since I had to remove both instrument panels to do this job, I have used the opportunity to fit the replacement capillary tube and to fit some neoprene sheet between the parcel tray plastic and the underlaying steel shelf to stop an annoying rattle and wired up the internal illumination of the auxilliary switches to the right of the steering column.

I’ll be getting it all back together in the next couple of days, but I don’t expect to do much after work tomorrow.