clock repair
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,554
Likes: 3
From: pasadena in the great state of TEXAS
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
clock repair
i saw somewhere , i think here , a guy that fixed clocks,
but i can't find the thread. he said he had a 2 or 3 day turnaround and 1 yr garantee for $40. does anyone know where this thread is?????
but i can't find the thread. he said he had a 2 or 3 day turnaround and 1 yr garantee for $40. does anyone know where this thread is?????
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,850
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
HDFF,
If you don't find him, you might consider putting a quartz kit in it.
There was a post a few months ago on how to repair them at home too! The biggest problem with the original movements is the point contacts on the electro magnet. They burn like an old point set and then do not throw the winding spring when contact is made.
The quartz kits work better and will last longer, plus they are easy to install. You can do a conversion in about 30 minutes if the clock is out of the car. The hardest thing about doing one is making sure the clutch is working properly before you install the new movement and making sure the ground terminal scratches the can when you put it together.
Willcox
If you don't find him, you might consider putting a quartz kit in it.
There was a post a few months ago on how to repair them at home too! The biggest problem with the original movements is the point contacts on the electro magnet. They burn like an old point set and then do not throw the winding spring when contact is made.
The quartz kits work better and will last longer, plus they are easy to install. You can do a conversion in about 30 minutes if the clock is out of the car. The hardest thing about doing one is making sure the clutch is working properly before you install the new movement and making sure the ground terminal scratches the can when you put it together.
Willcox
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,223
Likes: 174
From: Fort Wayne IN
Most of the C3 clocks that stop working just need the contacts cleaned and the rest of the guts cleaned and lubricated. I used rubbing alcohol to clean everything, a points file to clean the contacts, and gun oil to lightly lube it all up.
http://www.pcfred.com/Vettetip/FixC3Clock.htm
Mine works great, but I decided to leave it disconnected when I put my dash back together. I have a digital clock on my radio now and it bothers me not to be able to get them exactly synchronized.
http://www.pcfred.com/Vettetip/FixC3Clock.htm
Mine works great, but I decided to leave it disconnected when I put my dash back together. I have a digital clock on my radio now and it bothers me not to be able to get them exactly synchronized.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,747
Likes: 713
From: Lafayette Louisiana
ditto my 76 clock. cleaned the contacts with 600 grit paper and put a few drops of 3in1 oil. it needed a little help to keep ticking at first and then it worked great. it is a hoot to watch this puppy rewind itself every 45 sec or so. i thought they had 12v electric clocks in 76 and wonder why they went with a mechanical clock with an electromagnetic rewind???
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 945
Likes: 1
Most of the C3 clocks that stop working just need the contacts cleaned and the rest of the guts cleaned and lubricated. I used rubbing alcohol to clean everything, a points file to clean the contacts, and gun oil to lightly lube it all up.
http://www.pcfred.com/Vettetip/FixC3Clock.htm
Mine works great, but I decided to leave it disconnected when I put my dash back together. I have a digital clock on my radio now and it bothers me not to be able to get them exactly synchronized.
http://www.pcfred.com/Vettetip/FixC3Clock.htm
Mine works great, but I decided to leave it disconnected when I put my dash back together. I have a digital clock on my radio now and it bothers me not to be able to get them exactly synchronized.
Like you I have a digital clock on my radio so I don't really need the OEM clock. My question is does anyone know where I can get a vacuum gauge that matches the other guages to replace the clock guage? Is there any such thing?
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,841
Likes: 3
From: Halifax, NS, Canada
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 876
Likes: 0
From: Canastota Ny
did the same thing with my 79 clock but i didnt use sand paper on the contacts. the clock worked great up to a week or so ago then it stopped. the worst part is taking the dash out to get at it. ill tap the face now and then and get her working but when i decide to do it again im sanding the damn contact points!
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Instructor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 246
Likes: 38
From: Illinois
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
did the same thing with my 79 clock but i didnt use sand paper on the contacts. the clock worked great up to a week or so ago then it stopped. the worst part is taking the dash out to get at it. ill tap the face now and then and get her working but when i decide to do it again im sanding the damn contact points!
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,841
Likes: 3
From: Halifax, NS, Canada
Just a couple of tips for you guys who want to take on the repair yourself. Make sure you use a proper needle pulling tool for taking off the hands. The second hand pulls off the hardest. When you bend the 3 tabs holding the clock face to the case, be VERY careful not to bend them back too far. These are aluminum and were never designed to be bent more than once. When cleaning the points, do not use sand paper, use emory cloth and make sure you clean the points after with solvent. Make sure to blow the clock out with low pressure air while holding the hair spring with your finger. Also use a proper clock mechanism lubricant. I have two being bench tested as I write this post. I have serviced over 60 of them so it is not rocket science.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,554
Likes: 3
From: pasadena in the great state of TEXAS
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
[QUOTE=vettekid333;1568174395]While on this topic, does anyone have a step by step of the easiest way to get the clock out of the dash on say a 1970?
'
i need to know for a 78
'
i need to know for a 78
Drifting
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,425
Likes: 0
From: Seattle Wash.
Here's a link courtesy of Corvette Magazine on how to remove your clock. I've also included a separate link that covers a whole lot of other tech articles from Corvette Magazine. The clock article helped me out when I removed my clock a year or so ago. Hope it helps you.
http://www.corvettemagazine.com/2000.../tictocpg1.asp
http://www.corvettemagazine.com/content/view/18/28/
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 246
Likes: 38
From: Illinois
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
vettekid333,
Here's a link courtesy of Corvette Magazine on how to remove your clock. I've also included a separate link that covers a whole lot of other tech articles from Corvette Magazine. The clock article helped me out when I removed my clock a year or so ago. Hope it helps you.
http://www.corvettemagazine.com/2000.../tictocpg1.asp
http://www.corvettemagazine.com/content/view/18/28/
Here's a link courtesy of Corvette Magazine on how to remove your clock. I've also included a separate link that covers a whole lot of other tech articles from Corvette Magazine. The clock article helped me out when I removed my clock a year or so ago. Hope it helps you.
http://www.corvettemagazine.com/2000.../tictocpg1.asp
http://www.corvettemagazine.com/content/view/18/28/
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,223
Likes: 666
From: Northeast
[QUOTE=hdff;1568177485]
The 78 chassis manual makes it sound easy. 
1. Disconnect battery ground
2.Remove console tunnel side panels
3.Pull radio control ***** from shaft
4.Remove 2 screws that secures console trim plate to instrument cluster.
5.If vehicle is equipped with rear window defogger, remove defogger switch.
6.Remove five screws from around upper perimeter of instrument cluster.
7. Pull instrument cluster out slightly and then disconnect electrical connector from rear of cluster.
8.Individual instruments, printed circuit or lamp bulbs can now be replaced.
ps. Dont forget to remove clock set shaft **** retaining screw and **** from set shaft.
1. Disconnect battery ground
2.Remove console tunnel side panels
3.Pull radio control ***** from shaft
4.Remove 2 screws that secures console trim plate to instrument cluster.
5.If vehicle is equipped with rear window defogger, remove defogger switch.
6.Remove five screws from around upper perimeter of instrument cluster.
7. Pull instrument cluster out slightly and then disconnect electrical connector from rear of cluster.
8.Individual instruments, printed circuit or lamp bulbs can now be replaced.
ps. Dont forget to remove clock set shaft **** retaining screw and **** from set shaft.
Last edited by BKarol; Dec 13, 2008 at 04:05 PM.
