Cluster illumination?

[iansane]

Does anyone know offhand if the early clusters are illuminated differently than the later versions? I have frankenstein cluster in my car now that I'm having some dimming issues. I have a euro housing/fuel guage/temp gauge, what I think is an early speedo, 7k tach. It looks like the speedo is illuminated from the sides/front while the 7k tach is illuminated from the front/sides as well as through backlit through the digits. Can I grab the speedo head from a later car?

[iansane]

Okay... can someone just say whether their speedo/tach is back lit or side/front lit and if early/late?

[JasonC]

All clusters are only lit with two bulbs. They have the orange covers on them.

[iansane]

All clusters are only lit with two bulbs. They have the orange covers on them.

Right. That I understand. But I'm wondering if some of the clusters numbers are semi translucent. It seems as though my speedo is fully opaque while the tach allows light through the numbers making it much dimmer.

[JasonC]

I just took apart a early cluster and compared it to a late cluster and the gauges are made the same in the lighting aspect. Maybe someone monkeyed with yours?

[iansane]

Thank you pulling yours apart. I wonder if it's an issue with euro vs us clusters? My speedo face is metal and opaque while the tach/temp/fuel are all plastic/semi transparent. Just bothers me the speedo is dimmer...