OK, off-the-wall question here... My '71 LeSabre's shifter indicator, speedo needle, and fuel gauge needle are all white with white lettering. I've noticed that '72 and later cars have red needles on white lettering, so I always figured white was a '71 color - Until I came across 2 '71 Electras, both with red needles, and lower VIN #'s from the same plant as my car, so I assume they're earlier-made than mine. So what's with the white needles? I'm swapping out speedos for one with a trip-odometer and speed alert, and was curious if it'd be worthwhile to paint the red needles white.
Does any one know what would be good to use to touch up the red needles? Mine are fadded from the sun in parts of them.
On an old Ford Ranchero I restored, I used Testor's model paint, their red was really close. To match the Buick color, you might have to mix colors, but it's cheap and easy. Just be sure to thin out the paint so it goes on smooth.
Yea, mine do look more orange than red, and they look white in the middle where they're even more fadded. But maybe the orange is the color of fadded red? o No:
Don't know for the LeSabre, but 1971 Boattails have white needles, 1972 & 1973 Boattails have orange needles. Here's a 1972 unit (without the trip option) If you scratch the paint, you see white paint underneath: I also noticed that the one in my car says P R N D 2 1, instead of Park R N D L2 L1 :shock: ?
I talked with Pete Serio (the Pontiac/Hurst shifter GURU) and he had a special paint he used for his guage restorations. (I was asking about doing a BUICK tach-no go) Anyway, the red fluoresces (sic?) with minimal light- Talk to Pete, he has a code # for the paint. Precision Pontiac- Columbus, OH
Speedo cluster access. Hey guys, here's a related question: how do you gain access to this cluster? My transmission shift indicator is not functioning, and I now see from the above pictures how it's connected, but I don't know how to get to it. Can one take off the facing (lensL of the cluster without disassembling the dash? Thanks in advance, Steve.
The shift indicator cable usually goes to a clip that is attached to your steering wheel shift collar. As the collar moves, the cable does. If it is not working, either the cable snapped, or the clip just came off of the collar. Usually you can reseat the clip without taking a lot apart, but it varies from car to car.
Steve I don't know what kind of car you are working on, but if it is an A-body the concept is the same, but there is a wire that looks kinds like an unfolded paper clip that comes down from the bottom of the speedo to the steering column sleeve. Has a clip and a small sheet metal screw to attach it. No cable. You should be able to look up under the dash and see it/fix it. No need to remove the cluster.
On a big Buick, it's way easier to remove the lower dash trim piece, the part under the steering column that has "wings" under each side of the panel. 6 screws, iirc... If you do need to access the needle end of the cable/wire, you pull two screws from the top of the speedo faceplate, and tilt it out, then you're right there.
Thanks Guys! The car in question is a '72 Centurion. My screwdriver and I are en route to the garage...
