Hi guys,
I’ve joined the forum a while ago and had posted one question before. I’ve been too busy trying to finish restoring my 71 Corvette that I was not able to even post pictures. One of the things to be done on the car is the clock! Has anyone encountered the clock running way too fast? I’ve check the threads, but all they talk about is clock running 10 min faster per day. In my clock, when I connect the wires, the minute runs in 1 sec!!!! Is there any regulator for the clock, or is it a mechanical default?

Through observing the mechanism of the clock, it seems that the oscillating wheel system is not stuck, it moves freely back and forth, but does not hold the contacts from touching. I would appreciate any help.
P.S. quartz would be my last unfortunate option. I would like to stay original.

Thank you in advance

 

Look at the bright side. At least you'll never have to worry about being late. And you can be happy cause you still have an original working clock. And no NCRS point deductions for a non-clicking quartz.

Actually I read that if you slowly turn the clock hand clockwise you'll slow it down and counter-clockwise will speed it up.

Now get going or you'll be late.

 

Here's a link to an article that I used to repair my clock. There is a spring tensioner that can be used for adjustments.

The clock will also automatically adjust. I believe that if you use the pull rod to adjust by over 4 minutes, it will make an adjustment. My clock after I cleaned it was off by about 15 minutes a day. I lived with it, and adjusted it every time I drove it (and it was off by more than 4 minutes), and after a couple of months, it was dead on.

l believe the manual says something about the adjustment needs to be for more than 4 minutes, and only adjust it one way - ie. be sure to not go back to far, and then come forward.

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

Matt

 

You don't need to repair the clock. It is self-adjusting. Just reset it to the correct time, once per day [at each 24 hour interval], and it will eventually balance out to the correct 'clock speed'.

 

Guys, I don't think you understand what the problem is!! I have already read the article mentioned above and I already know that the clock mechanism is self adjusting in a 3-min back and forth interval. This is not the issue though.........

Let's say that I put a normal clock against mine. If the normal clock would have ran 1 SEC, then my clock would have had run 2 MINUTES. If there is a way to post a video of the clock then I would, but not sure it is possible here.

I would like to fix the clock, but I'm in Kuwait, means it's not that easy to send the clock back and forth. No USPS and using FedEx it would be better to just by the quartz.

 

Your clock is time warped. You'll need to head due east at around 680mph for 33 minutes, that should fix it.

 

Sorry, I reread your original post and I see what you mean.

Is it a problem with the minute hand binding on the second? What does the hour hand do - how long does it take for the hour hand to move 1 hour?

I'm assuming you did a thourough cleaning - what did you use to clean it, and what did you use to lubricate the gears afterwards?

It sounds like something might still be dirty or not lubricated propperly. After cleaning with degreaser, I rinse with water, then rinse again with alcohol - while it's still wet with the alcohol it will run properly until the alcohol evaporates. This tells me it's propperly cleaned, and will work when lubricated.

 

It sounds like you really want the factory clock working correctly, but as I'm sure you probably know, an updated quartz movement will fix your problem. I did mine more than a year ago, and it still keep time, dead on.

 

Mine also goes faster (not as fasts as yours).. I put a new mechanisms a couple o years ago..It also goes of a couple of minutes...but my **** is wacked so I can´t make adjustments...
Anyway I could care less..as long as its ticking i fine for me..

 

Wow, spare tire lights and now self adjusting clocks, who woulda thought that.
Looks like I am going to have to spend some time on parts that don't make my Vette go faster or stop better

 

My, how time flies....

 

It's well worth it if you ask me.

I removed my clock a couple of years ago, properly cleaned it, and properly lubricated the gears. It works perfectly, and I assume it will continue to work perfectly for years to come.

I love being able to get in my car in the garage, and before I start the engine, if it's quiet enough, i can watch the clock, and hear the subtle click, click of the clock. You might also catch the click of the magnetic rewind.

There are 2 things that mostly stop these clocks, dirt, and aging of the electrical contacts. If you go in and properly clean, lubricate, sand down the contacts, and drive you car like me (ie. kept in a garage, driven in nice weather, and relatively pampered), there is no reason the clock shouldn't continue to function like new for as long as you own the car.

 

I took the clock to the watch repair. They actually utilized all watch products (cleaner/lubricant). After the the cleaning, it's now running faster than before. So, 1) the clock is not dirty at all 2) the contacts are touching and push off. However, the contact touch every 0.2 of a second. It's the oscillating wheel section of the clock that I'm worried about, it's the one that holds the contacts from touching. A quartz is already on the way, but tomorrow is my last trial with the clock, there is supposed to be a guy who knows about these clock, but I'm not sure he dealt with a corvette clock!

 

There is a definate problem with the clock then, when the contacts seperate, it should take around 2 minutes for the clock to wind down and the contacts touch again.

 

Guys,

So here is the deal, so as to closeout this thread. Since I had proceeded in to ordering a new electric clock, i got curious to figure out what was wrong with the clock. I prepared my tools and went on tarring the clock apart. There were two problems. 1) One of the pins that oscillates and holds the Seconds Hand Wheel was loose. Even though this pin was in its place, it was missing to hold the Seconds Wheel because it works at an angle. 2) The Oscillating Wheel Spring was slightly twisted. If the Oscillating Wheel is not operating properly, it will not maintain the pins to hold the Seconds Wheel.

I fixed the pins, maintained the spring as it is and put the clock back together. However, the problem still persisted due to the Spring. I've been to 5, or 6 well known clock maintenance shops, but none of them was able to fix it! Three of them referred me to Mr. Khan, but I was hesitant to call him, I was actually giving up. During that time, I tore the clock apart trying to fix it again. However, I lost one of the pins while I was getting frustrated. A week went by and then I decided to call Mr. Khan, he advised me to come over to his shop first to check it out.

Mr. Khan came to Kuwait in 1980 and he has been working on different kinds of clocks since then. His shop is about 10 x 10 feet. I showed him the clock and tried to explain to him the problem, he just smiled and said that he was going to call me tomorrow (I also gave him my FENDI hand watch to be fixed!). So tomorrow came by and I received a call from Mr. Khan, who had informed me that the clock and the hand watch have been fixed (each for $34) . For the Corvette clock, he installed new Pins, replaced the Oscillating Wheel Spring and cleaned it out, all for $34. For the guys in Kuwait, you can reach Mr. Khan at +(965)6570-0684 / +(965)2246-1001. The link below shows pictures of the clock with notes, just copy/paste link. You need to enlarge the pictures to read the notes, those are HD pictures. You can also see Mr. Khan.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/71and64...7624221084690/

Good luck
Fahad

 

Hi F,
With the # of people who say their clock doesn't work it's a shame Mr. Khan doesn't have a U.S. branch.
I had my 71's repaired by Corvette Specialties of Maryland and it's worked for years now, but cost more than $34.
Regards,
Alan

 

It's the Flux Capacitor!

 

Alan,

No branch for Mr. Khan in the U.S. The clock was the last thing on my list to start installing the interior, now I'm good to go

Where were you when I started this thread......! Well, I figured it out myself I guess.

 

Considering you own an older corvette and that seeems to be your only problem, then you are truly blessed. However if you are not into ncrs judging by all means put in a quartz replacement. The original clocks are not the best.

 

Tigers,

This car has gone through a list of problems. I have had the vacuum system, along its electrical part redone, replaced the fuel tank (I tried recovering the original, but couldn't) along with the venting system, redone the electrical wiring for the interior (couple of gauges and switches were not working) and right now I'm replacing the antenna.

I'm not into NCRS with respect to engine, transmission and suspension, but I like everything else to be original if possible! If you see the pictures I've listed in the link, you will notice that I already have quartz, but I want to install the original!

My 64 Vette is a whole different story along with 69 Camaro. The 64 Vette has the body separated from the frame, we have just completed the frame, suspension (from VanSteel.com), brakes (from ABSPowerBrake.com), TK-600 Transmission and an aluminum top 540ci fully DART engine with 680HP. I have not started with the 64 Vette problems yet. For the 69 Camaro, I'm still sand blasting the body skeleton. My problem is that I've started too many projects at the same time .

Fahad