clocks
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,098
Likes: 1
From: west babylon new york
clocks
i am putting the dash back in my 72 project car and was wondering if i should go for the quartz clock being the original is not working and don't know how long a regular clock lasts and a quartz is lifetime
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 280
Likes: 0
I did a search for clock repair and found a closed thread with a paper detailing the cleaning and repair of the clock. Sure enough after following the instructions the clock started working !
A very satisfiying project.
The thread is called "File Your Points To Fix Your Clock"
A very satisfiying project.
The thread is called "File Your Points To Fix Your Clock"
Last edited by Localbulldog; Jul 29, 2007 at 09:21 AM. Reason: additional info
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 454
Likes: 0
From: SAN CLEMENTE CALIFORNIA
I did a search for clock repair and found a closed thread with a paper detailing the cleaning and repair of the clock. Sure enough after following the instructions the clock started working !
A very satisfiying project.
The thread is called "File Your Points To Fix Your
Clock"
A very satisfiying project.
The thread is called "File Your Points To Fix Your
Clock"
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,456
Likes: 102
From: Piedmont Va
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13,'19-'20
I bought and installed a quartz clock while my dash was out. It works and keeps perfect time. I still have the original and am going to try the repair procedure when time permits...The quartz is as good as a timex however...
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 280
Likes: 0
Babylonvette - The paper is a closed thread. I'm not sure how to post it but I can email you the page with your email address or hopefully someone more knowlege can help us out.
Its a great explanation as to how to fix the clock.
Its a great explanation as to how to fix the clock.
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Michael S. Palmer
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
Contact cleaner to clean out & clock oil may get it going.
Mine has always kept excellent time & was working fine when removed.
The clock adjusts speed when it is set forward (faster) or backwards (slower). It may take several settings for it to be right. Only needed to be set for daylight saving time.
Localbulldog
You can post the link (in address bar of the topic).
Mine has always kept excellent time & was working fine when removed.
The clock adjusts speed when it is set forward (faster) or backwards (slower). It may take several settings for it to be right. Only needed to be set for daylight saving time.
Localbulldog
You can post the link (in address bar of the topic).
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,430
Likes: 8
From: Hamilton NJ
More satisfying than most projects I've done. I smile every time I look down and see the second hand moving. Give it a try and default to the quartz if you can't get it going. The real key was to use the contact cleaner to strip all of the old crud from the works. The mechanism is so light that even a slight build-up over the years binds it up.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 6,217
Likes: 1
From: End of the Ike IL
Cruise-In V Veteran
Cruise-In VI Veteran
I replaced my clock with a quartz unit. You cannot tell the difference by looking at it and it keeps accurate time. Good luck with your decision.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,047
Likes: 12
From: SoCal
If you've got an NCRS award winner (or candidate), then get the original clock repaired (and yes you can tell by looking at the clock if it's quartz or original because the seconds hand moves differently, and you won't get the periodic spring winding noise).
But, if you don't care about NCRS points and don't mind spending the $, then why would you stay with a clock that doesn't keep time very well and is prone to mechanical failure? Keep the original, but replace it with a quartz clock.
But, if you don't care about NCRS points and don't mind spending the $, then why would you stay with a clock that doesn't keep time very well and is prone to mechanical failure? Keep the original, but replace it with a quartz clock.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,503
Likes: 1,511
From: Little Rock AR
The thing that kills the original clocks (other than time and crud) is running out of electricity. If you keep using the car regularly so the battery stays charged OR hook up a battery tender the clock will live a lot longer. Disconnecting the battery or letting it run down is what hurts the points on the clock.
-Mark.
-Mark.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,408
Likes: 418
From: Chester Virginia
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
The most common [and most serious] reason for the original electro-mechanical clock to fail is that the contact point for the rewind solenoid fatigues through so that the points don't make contact any more. The original design is really neat...it's a regular mechanical clock with mainspring, etc. which also has a rewinding solenoid in it (rewinds about every two minutes). You can buy a rebuilding kit for the original design clock from ZIP Products for around $75. It includes some new gear pieces and a new main body; you put the new stuff in your old clock housing and dialface. I did it and haven't had a problem in the last 2 years. Obviously, the quartz movement is the most reliable thing to do. (But the second hand won't move like the original!!!)