Technical Stewart Warner gauge lights 366CH

I started wiring my '32 Ford. I have some large logo Stewart Warner gauges I'm using. The speedo is the only gauge that has a hole in the back for a light bulb. It appears Stewart Warner sells a little light fixture (366CH) that mounts on the back of each gauge (grounded) and shines a light from the side of the gauge into a little opaque slot and thus onto the face of the gauge. I'm not finding the best reviews on this product; complaints about too much plastic or something.

Does anyone have any other ideas? For example, has anyone fab'd their own bracket with multiple little lights spaced between each gauge? I'm looking for some interesting old school ideas - besides the old school idea of running without lights in the dark!

thanks for any help!

 

Too much plastic? Where, in the bulb socket?

All my old sockets like that, have (I think) 8 of the little socket retainers that hold them in the hole...maybe that's the issue?

If so, head to a large truck salvage yard...they are full of them, if you can't find one near you, holler back at me, I'm sure I could spare a few.

 

It's funny, there was just a similar thread on this a few days ago, where I showed these pics of a light holder that fits between the gauges, held in place by the respective gauge retaining brackets. You could fabricate these things relatively easily. Get a piece of metal & drill a hole in it & bend it to conform to your needs Nobody is ever gonna see it, so it doesn't have to be perfect. And, you'll have all the ground you need. Those little metal tabs around any non-metallic bulb holder should be sufficient for a proper ground.

 

Fleetside66. I like it!! Looks very straightforward. Then I can use better quality light bulb sockets in my own bracket. Thanks again!!


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Ya could even use one of those little direct light fixtures that mount on the dash surface and shines down directly on the gauge face. Think some A models used them along with numerous other makes. They're made new and I picked up a couple at the local swap meet. Think it was from a Model A supplier..... I'll try to load up a pic... I plan to use it on the next build.....................

 

Fleetside66 has a great bracket for a light. He is also one of our resident gauge guru's and astute collectors. Both of us were commenting in the other thread.

If you're looking to only light one gauge, here is anothet option. Stewart Warner made this kit back in the late 50's. Here's mine, I was fortunate enough to find one. It can take some looking, but these are still out there. I found mine online from a collector.

 

Maybe I have incredibly low standards, but I didn't have any problems with the current 366-CH.... The mounting tab is metal, the bulb housing is plastic with 4 metal prongs that clip into the mounting tab. Pretty straight-forward. I have some early versions of the 366-CH as well, and the only difference is the bulb housing is metal in those versions. You can still find them, but they are about triple the price.

 

I'm currently fabbing my own bracket and bought some Cole Hersee 2506 light bulb sockets made with metal and with a ground wire attached to the housing. One I get it done, I'll upload pics. I sure appreciate all the ideas & the comments!!

 

Here's a picture of the bracket I made, with holes for 3 light bulbs per side. I'm going to paint it white so I get good light reflection from the bulbs.

 

Those are a pretty nice fix, but remember to put one on each side of the gauge's window (left and right sides) otherwise, the face will be half-lit, of course. I have the Hollywood panel, which came with four bulb brackets spot welded to the back. They are BIG, bright bulbs and manage to light up the whole panel AND the underside of the dash board. ( I have to find a way to limit that, it looks weird, with wire shadows near the feet!)
Anyway, here is a closeup of the assembly. (attached) I have a similar, but different question about this to ask, but I'll do so in another post.

 

I've been lighting some of my instruments with this tiny light that directs the light onto the gauge faces in a nice way. I bought this 20 years ago so wouldn't know where to get one now.

 

I have S/W 2 5/8 gauges with light holes but no lights. Where to find them?

 

You can get Stewart Warner gauge bulbs from Summit Racing for $9.00. Go to the Summit website and type in "Stewart Warner gauge light". There are many to choose from so pick the one that will work for your gauge.

 

Mine fit inside the gauge. thanks for the info.

 

Yep, you can get those from Summit.

 

Can you add the light and associated hole to a non deluxe gauge? I have an older SW gas gauge I want to use that matches my other ones, but unfortunately its not back lit.

 

If you don't like the plastic socket use one from a tri five Chevy.

 

Where can I get two bulb sockets that push into the panel clips on the back of the "straight five" Stewart Warner panel. Like the ones you show in your post?