Clock in 78 Not Working
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 55
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From: Woodland Park CO
Clock in 78 Not Working
I'm having work done on my newly acquired 78 SA and I'm told the clock is getting power but not working. Is there someone that can rebuild the clock or do I look for a replacement? Suggestions needed. Thanks!
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Yes. http://www.corvetteclocks.com/ You can also Google > Corvette clock repair.
That is also an option. Most of the aftermarket providers carry clocks.
...or do I look for a replacement?...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,478
Likes: 254
From: Downers Grove Illinois
The standard clock draws a bit of current and can drain your battery after a few weeks. If you drive your car often or keep it on a battery tender then this is not an issue. They make reproduction clocks with a quartz movement that use a lot less current.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,381
Likes: 416
From: N J
If it's the same as my 77 clock, before I replaced it, at the very least I would take it apart and just try cleaning up the 2 contact "points" inside of it with a small folded piece of fine sandpaper or better yet a small file.
Had mine out a few months ago and it came back to life after who knows how many decades. It's been working fine ever since. Good luck.
Had mine out a few months ago and it came back to life after who knows how many decades. It's been working fine ever since. Good luck.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Lincoln, CA
Racer
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 374
Likes: 42
From: Coldwater Mi
Fixed my own....for FREE...by using the steps on the net that have this site in its search words.....combo of using isoprophyl alcohol, can o' compressed air for computers, LIGHT oil (I used container that came wif Wahl hair clippers) & carefully filing the contacts for the mainspring.....did that a few weeks ago and STILL tickin' away!! (Fixed my tach at same time....new circuit board & filter per instructions from Willcox here on this site)
B sure 2 take all the bulbs out of the circuit panel for all instruments & lights & clean the tiny bits o' corrosion at same time!
B sure 2 take all the bulbs out of the circuit panel for all instruments & lights & clean the tiny bits o' corrosion at same time!
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,547
Likes: 282
From: Scottsdale Arizona
That's funny because it happened. I took the clock out of the gauge package for the 68 convertible, hooked it up to a 12 volt car battery I had sitting around and it started running immediately. It's on the work bench, still running for the last several months. I know this doesn't mean that it will run when I get it back in the car.
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Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
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From: Crossville TN
If you are DIY handy, and your clock is a BORG-made unit, buy a quartz conversion kit for your clock. Almost all of the mechanism will be changed out and, when done, the clock will work and WILL ACTUALLY TELL GOOD TIME!!
Racer
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 305
Likes: 50
That's funny because it happened. I took the clock out of the gauge package for the 68 convertible, hooked it up to a 12 volt car battery I had sitting around and it started running immediately. It's on the work bench, still running for the last several months. I know this doesn't mean that it will run when I get it back in the car.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Removal and working with the clock may have knocked of the collected carbon/crud on the solenoid contacts (which kept it from working in the car). If you let it sit on the bench untouched, I'd give it several days, at best, before it craps out again.
Exact replacements for the Borg clocks seem to work for about 3-5 years before failure.
Exact replacements for the Borg clocks seem to work for about 3-5 years before failure.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
All that was needed was a small capacitor across the contact point circuit to prevent point arcing. That would have eliminated most of the clock failures. {Another 10 cents, for capacitor and installation, was too much for GM...}
But, the standard warranty period was 3 years...which most of the clocks would survive. After that (shortly after, in many cases), when it failed, it was the owner's problem. Few of them ever got fixed. Rather, they just got sold with the car.
But, the standard warranty period was 3 years...which most of the clocks would survive. After that (shortly after, in many cases), when it failed, it was the owner's problem. Few of them ever got fixed. Rather, they just got sold with the car.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,547
Likes: 282
From: Scottsdale Arizona
Removal and working with the clock may have knocked of the collected carbon/crud on the solenoid contacts (which kept it from working in the car). If you let it sit on the bench untouched, I'd give it several days, at best, before it craps out again.
Exact replacements for the Borg clocks seem to work for about 3-5 years before failure.
Exact replacements for the Borg clocks seem to work for about 3-5 years before failure.