[V8] Instrument Cluster light bulb questions

[Coleman, David]

> 1) how do I disconnect the wire harnesses without breaking anything?

Use a little screwdriver (or tough fingernails) to pry and slide the black clip up and away from each plug.  Plugs will almost fall out.  

> 2) What screws do I have to remove to accesss the illumination light 
> bulbs?  -The bentley diagram is too complex to see, and it looks like 
> there are about 50 screws,  most of which will be the wrong ones :-)

It's easy to remove ones you don't need to, though it's no biggie if you do.  The ones to remove are the brassy 8-mm ones that hold the white plastic cover on.  Note that access to the oil/oil/clock gauges is under a separate plastic cover.

> 3) - I have the bentley which shows I need holes 20 and 21 to replace 
> the speedometer lights.  - does anyone know the proper wattage light 
> bulbs??  Most of the others seem to be 1.1 watts.

IIRC, there's two basic types back there, the orange based twist-ins and some other kind.  The speedo lights are the same as the tach and fuel, and have the orange base.  $4.00 each at the dealer, or ransack a junk car.   I installed used ones the first time (a bunch of various ones from a 5000, which lasted a while, then others started to go out a year or two later.   Though others may offer a less $$$ alternative, the second time I went in there I just got a bunch of new ones from the dealer and replaced 'em all.

-DaveC.