Repair old clock
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 228
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Repair old clock
I would like to have my clock rebuilt. has anyone used "The clock works"? or is there someone you can recommend. I connected it to 12v and it wound and ran for 7 seconds, if i gently tap it then it will run for another few seconds. I don't think it is a lost cause, just needs cleaned and oiled.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
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From: Crossville TN
Don't waste your time. Been there....done that. The original Borg clock is a nifty device; but "reliability" is NOT it's strong suit. Fix it and it will fail again within 5 years (usually much less).
Buy a clone clock with a quartz movement...or replace the gearset in your clock with a quartz movement. In the long run, you will be glad you did.
Or, you could just convert that gauge location to something else: vacuum gauge, A/F meter, oil temp, whatever. Hey, you already have 'quartz' on your wrist and a cell phone with accurate time!
Buy a clone clock with a quartz movement...or replace the gearset in your clock with a quartz movement. In the long run, you will be glad you did.
Or, you could just convert that gauge location to something else: vacuum gauge, A/F meter, oil temp, whatever. Hey, you already have 'quartz' on your wrist and a cell phone with accurate time!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 2,156
Likes: 273
From: Dunedin NZ.
My clock is now oil temp. I fitted a new original style internal mechanism to the clock and bench tested it for a week and it was fine, installed it in the car and it lasted about a week, contacts stuck and burnt out the coil.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2005
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2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C3 of Year
I'll repeat a notation from the owner's manual Maintenance Schedule that says to have the clocks serviced annually, for lubrication and cleaning. Following this, will increase the lifespan of the original clocks.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2014
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is there a way to take it apart to clean and oil it? I have seen clock oil on the internet.
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Westminster Maryland
Hi 71,
I've not taken one apart but since they can be repaired they certainly come apart.
I think the problem that plagues the clocks is their electrical system employs a set of points to 'wind' the clock every so often. As time goes by these points can 'weld' together.
Regards,
Alan
I've not taken one apart but since they can be repaired they certainly come apart.
I think the problem that plagues the clocks is their electrical system employs a set of points to 'wind' the clock every so often. As time goes by these points can 'weld' together.
Regards,
Alan
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 228
Likes: 2
Hi 71,
I've not taken one apart but since they can be repaired they certainly come apart.
I think the problem that plagues the clocks is their electrical system employs a set of points to 'wind' the clock every so often. As time goes by these points can 'weld' together.
Regards,
Alan
I've not taken one apart but since they can be repaired they certainly come apart.
I think the problem that plagues the clocks is their electrical system employs a set of points to 'wind' the clock every so often. As time goes by these points can 'weld' together.
Regards,
Alan
Thanks,
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,093
Likes: 297
From: Midlothian VA
The quartz units are very nice.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,093
Likes: 297
From: Midlothian VA
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,360
Likes: 59
From: Meldrim Georgia
http://www.pcfred.com/Vettetip/FixC3Clock.htm
A lot of people have done this to their clocks. You can buy them from Wilcox Corvette
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,352
Likes: 787
From: Redondo Beach, California
I'd put a little micro switch in series with the clock. This way in storage, you could turn off the clock and it wouldn't run down the battery. Hide the little switch so it's not seen.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
It would be better with a little capacitor (similar to the 'pop' filters for the Delco radio).
The points inside the Borg clock can get 'dirty' and unable to draw current necessary to fire the 'rewind' solenoid. BUT, the contact arm can also fail from structural fatigue. Cleaning won't cure that.
How does one service that clock "annually"? By removing the gauge cluster every year to put a drop of oil on it? I DON'T THINK SO!!
The only thing the quartz clock will do is keep the correct time and NOT FAIL. The second hand will 'bump' every second, instead of every 1/2 second. That's the only visible difference in the quartz movement replacement.
Quartz is a 'no brainer' on this one. Mine has been re-failed (if Obama can make up words, so can I ) for several years...but I'm not opening up the gauge cluster until something important needs to be done. Then, I'll convert to quartz.
The points inside the Borg clock can get 'dirty' and unable to draw current necessary to fire the 'rewind' solenoid. BUT, the contact arm can also fail from structural fatigue. Cleaning won't cure that.
How does one service that clock "annually"? By removing the gauge cluster every year to put a drop of oil on it? I DON'T THINK SO!!
The only thing the quartz clock will do is keep the correct time and NOT FAIL. The second hand will 'bump' every second, instead of every 1/2 second. That's the only visible difference in the quartz movement replacement.
Quartz is a 'no brainer' on this one. Mine has been re-failed (if Obama can make up words, so can I
) for several years...but I'm not opening up the gauge cluster until something important needs to be done. Then, I'll convert to quartz.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 628
Likes: 34
From: Evergreen Park Illinois
I would like to have my clock rebuilt. has anyone used "The clock works"? or is there someone you can recommend. I connected it to 12v and it wound and ran for 7 seconds, if i gently tap it then it will run for another few seconds. I don't think it is a lost cause, just needs cleaned and oiled.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,093
Likes: 297
From: Midlothian VA
Beuler? Beuler?
I guess we'll never know...
Last edited by Hammerhead Fred; Jan 14, 2016 at 10:14 AM.