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Old Jun 23, 2008 | 01:15 AM
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Default Clock conversion

Anyone do a quartz clock conversion. I saw it on ebay for 68 bucks...Is that a good deal?
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Old Jun 23, 2008 | 08:45 AM
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Have you considered trying to fix your original clock?

I was amazed at how easy it was. Below is a link with details.

http://www.pcfred.com/Vettetip/FixC3Clock.htm

I disassembled the clock, seperated the contacts, and nothing - I used a little comressed air (the kind that comes in a little can - NOT from a compressor!) to clean things out a bit, and still nothing. I then poured some alchohol on the clockworks, and off it ran. When I used some more compressed air to dry it out, the clock stopped. So I started oiling the contact points, and after a little while - off she went!

My 38 year old clock is now back in the car again, and has been running for over a week now.
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Old Jun 23, 2008 | 09:56 AM
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I think that's a decent price, I don't remember what I paid for mine but it was around that.

The conversion is pretty straight forward, just follow the directions that come with the kit. The hardest part is getting the gauge panel in and out

The only thing I heard about the original clocks is the points can stick and potentially cause a wire meltdown in the harness. My clock didn't work at all and Bubba had rigged up some goofy wiring with a toggle switch in it. I don't know if it's a coincidence or not but all the fusible links in the car were burnt up as well.

The quartz clock has been running for about 6 months, hasn't missed a tick yet
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Old Jun 23, 2008 | 10:19 AM
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Originally Posted by Mashman
Have you considered trying to fix your original clock?

I was amazed at how easy it was. Below is a link with details.

http://www.pcfred.com/Vettetip/FixC3Clock.htm

I disassembled the clock, seperated the contacts, and nothing - I used a little comressed air (the kind that comes in a little can - NOT from a compressor!) to clean things out a bit, and still nothing. I then poured some alchohol on the clockworks, and off it ran. When I used some more compressed air to dry it out, the clock stopped. So I started oiling the contact points, and after a little while - off she went!

My 38 year old clock is now back in the car again, and has been running for over a week now.
I did the same thing, it was actually pretty easy. My clock has been running for several months now and after playing with the slow/fast adjustment for a bit it is now running within a few minutes of the correct time monthly.
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Old Jun 23, 2008 | 10:39 AM
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All the major parts houses - Central Corvette, Mid America etc sell the quartz clocks - check their prices against what you found on Ebay.
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Old Jun 23, 2008 | 01:41 PM
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I tried to repair it. Didnt use any cleaning fluids. Just cleaned the contact. I have the clock out and the dash reassembled so I guess I'll use your advice and try to get again to get it going. Thanks everyone!
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Old Jun 23, 2008 | 11:25 PM
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In my opinion quartz is much better as long as you aren't concerned about originality. There is less work with the quartz clock because all you do is remove the original and replace it with the quartz. No need to work on the original. You would have to remove and replace the original to fix it. I did mine almost 3 years ago and it's still working fine.
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Old Jun 23, 2008 | 11:47 PM
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I've had mine for close to 10 years and it has worked perfect. Easy conversion one you get it out.
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Old Jun 24, 2008 | 12:05 AM
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Originally Posted by my 76 ray
In my opinion quartz is much better as long as you aren't concerned about originality. There is less work with the quartz clock because all you do is remove the original and replace it with the quartz. No need to work on the original. You would have to remove and replace the original to fix it. I did mine almost 3 years ago and it's still working fine.

Mines going on 2 years
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Old Jun 25, 2008 | 02:47 AM
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I would convert it to quartz to save the hassle. Over the years I too cleaned the original clock mechanism and it would work for a few months then stop again. Every time you remove the center console to get at it you risk breaking one of the plastic mounting tabs or something else. Convert it and be done with it or do like some of us have (80/81) put a oil temp guage in it's place.
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Old Jun 25, 2008 | 10:23 PM
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I bought a conversion kit and a new clock. I have a 72 and a 73 and they both have bad clocks. I figured I can replace one with a new clock, and then I can fix the other one on the bench in my free time.

I like the idea of just replacing it with a new one if you are either not going for originality, or NCRS points.

kdf
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