sandymac

My understanding is that a number of Chevrolet's used the same borg warner clock movement - thus for example clock guts from a another car of the same era can bu used to replace the Corvette movement with a similar mechanical movement thus keeping the clock correct. Has anyone done this ??

Frankie the Fink

I don't know, but why swap in a used movement of unknown quality ?

The Clock Works will install a new, OEM-style Borg mechanical movement for about $150....they did that for my 63 for judging...

sandymac

Thanks Frankie - The answer is NOS may have access to some old NOS - I will also look into the Clockworks - there are a few vendors did not realize they would use mechanical vs quartz - call Me old fashioned I appreciate your response

tuxnharley

Or, if you are not concerned about judging, you can get a DIY quartz movement kit for about $50.00. Easy to do, more accurate, and much less current draw.

The only visual difference is that the second hand sweeps, not "tics". I have had the same quartz conversion kit in my 67 for 25 years now - still going strong!

Frankie the Fink

The quartz is indeed nice and i ran one in my 61 for a decade with zero issues.

As to NOS movements from other cars...I would think the electrical connector on the back and the stem position/operation to set the time might be the big issues - don't know for sure...

Checked The Clock Works out of curiosity and they now offer a much improved mechanical movement for an up-charge that will still pass judging - interesting:

VetteZr

And the quartz conversions aren't $50 no more, the cheapest I have found them is $85 now.

SWCDuke

Maybe someone can explain... about 15 years ago I bought an inexpensive analog wall clock from K-Mart. I think is was about 10-15 bucks. It has what I believe is a "quartz" movement that's about the size of a couple of matchbooks, and I've seen this same movement on other clocks.

It "ticks" second by second - not a constant velocity sweep. Other than needing a new AA battery every year or two it still works and keeps very good time.

So why can't one of these inexpensive movements be adapted to old mechanical car clocks?

Duke

buns

I believe you are correct. These instructions came with my quartz clock conversion kit, looks like it fits more than just corvettes.

Vettegeezer

Two problems with trying to get this type of clock movement to pass judging:
1. Even though the second hand moves in one second steps, there is no audible ticking sound.
2. The instant you remove power to the clock it will stop. Not so with the original Borg clock mechanism as there is an internal spring that will allow the clock to run a few seconds until spring tension is lost.

SWCDuke

The clock I referred to actually does "tick", but it probably has a somewhat different sound than a Corvette clock. Also, no reason why it couldn't be battery powered, but that would probably require removing the clock to change the battery.

Since a lot of guys have battery cutoff switches, the clock needs to be reset every time you use the car if it's to be of any value, which would not be the case if the clock has it's own battery.

Duke

Frankie the Fink

BB767

I had the Clock Works do this for my '66 convertible as well. They are nice folks and they do high quality workmanship.

Since I disconnect my car's battery whenever my car is parked in the garage for any length of time, the clock doesn't run. The tech at the C W's told me my new clock should last almost indefinitely as the most common failure is from pitting on the clock contact points which doesn't occur with the battery disconnected.

Thomas

RatDog

I put a replacement quartz clock in my car and it has a “tic tic” motion, not a “sweep “ motion.

I added a bypass wire to my battery cutoff with a 3 amp inline fuse so the clock still runs with the cutoff open. If someone tries to start the car, the car won’t start and the fuse to the clock blows.

Steve

Frankie the Fink

Put a 12V remote relay on my clock power that operates from key fob....clock does not run except for car shows/cruises even with the power on.

327carguy

If someone is not concerned with judging, but they are concerned with the battery draw down, why hasn't someone come up with clockworks that snap on to a 9 volt battery. That battery could be placed in your glove compartment? On when you want it. Off when you don't. May even tick. Of course then you would have to hide the battery (behind the glove compartment maybe).

John 65

That's a great idea. It would show the correct time all the time, without resting every time the juice came back on.