PSA: C3 clock repair
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,229
Likes: 39
From: Beautiful East Texas
PSA: C3 clock repair
As a new C3 owner gathering experience refreshing my new old Corvette, one small piece of advice I wish to render to other owners regarding clock repairs:
The DIY "rebuild" kits are a major PITA to install... I watched the Wilcox tech video and proceeded as instructed, but still, it's pretty tough to complete properly (the small retainers are very difficult to seat).
I've finally got mine on the bench running now, but after jacking with it for 3 days, I wish I'd just bought a complete new one from Instrument Services in IL for only a few dollars more.
I'm assuming I'll have many more of these lessons to learn over the next few months as I try to resurrect my dash and interior and breath some new life into a 41 year old car.
Cheers!
mardyn
The DIY "rebuild" kits are a major PITA to install... I watched the Wilcox tech video and proceeded as instructed, but still, it's pretty tough to complete properly (the small retainers are very difficult to seat).
I've finally got mine on the bench running now, but after jacking with it for 3 days, I wish I'd just bought a complete new one from Instrument Services in IL for only a few dollars more.
I'm assuming I'll have many more of these lessons to learn over the next few months as I try to resurrect my dash and interior and breath some new life into a 41 year old car.
Cheers!
mardyn
Last edited by mardyn; Apr 14, 2014 at 04:19 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,006
Likes: 28
From: Lutz Florida
I pulled mine out, carefully filed the points, cleaned and oiled it and it ran like a champ.....for a week. Lesson learned.
If a working clock is important to you, buy one of the quartz replacements and save the old mechanism for the next owner in case they want the factory original.
If a working clock is important to you, buy one of the quartz replacements and save the old mechanism for the next owner in case they want the factory original.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,412
Likes: 792
From: Redondo Beach, California
I don't like removing the clock. IT's a big process to get to the clock behind the console. With these old cars, everytime you muck with interior parts there's a danger of breaking something. I'm beginning to wonder if these crystal replacement units are just cheap junk.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,412
Likes: 792
From: Redondo Beach, California
Congratulations that your clock still works..that's pretty amazing.
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Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
The C3 clocks are adjustable. But, you have to use the correct procedure. Select a specific time during the day (or night) to make your adjustments. Only make one adjustment per day; and only make adjustments at 24 hour increments. (same time each day, on consecutive days)
The adjustment mechanism in the clock is calibrated to be adjusted in this manner.
1) For the first adjustment, set the clock to the correct time by moving the hands in the direction that requires the least adjustment (forward or backward).
2) On day 2 at that same time of day, make the adjustment to the correct time. The error shouldn't be much; but the farther it was off the first day, the more error will still be showing up.
3) On day 3 at that same time of day, make a final adjustment to the clock so that it reads correctly. It may not even need any adjustment, however.
If you try to adjust this clock with any other method, you will just go chasing your tail. You need to adjust at 24 hour intervals for the adjustment mechanism to do its job.
The adjustment mechanism in the clock is calibrated to be adjusted in this manner.
1) For the first adjustment, set the clock to the correct time by moving the hands in the direction that requires the least adjustment (forward or backward).
2) On day 2 at that same time of day, make the adjustment to the correct time. The error shouldn't be much; but the farther it was off the first day, the more error will still be showing up.
3) On day 3 at that same time of day, make a final adjustment to the clock so that it reads correctly. It may not even need any adjustment, however.
If you try to adjust this clock with any other method, you will just go chasing your tail. You need to adjust at 24 hour intervals for the adjustment mechanism to do its job.