My Clock is Near Death
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 803
Likes: 0
From: South San Francisco CA
My Clock is Near Death
The clock in my '69 is almost dead. It runs, then it stops. Runs, stops. I guess it is time to replace it...for the second time since 1970. I've seen the quartz movement clocks that you can replace yourself. Corvette Central has them for sale. Has anyone had experience installing the movemnt? Is it a big deal? Any special watchmakers tools needed? Any help or suggestions would be appreciated......
Thanks.
Thanks.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 3,123
Likes: 13
From: Hollywood, Florida
Re: My Clock is Near Death (fontking1a)
I did the quartz conversion last year, and it really was not too bad. The worst part is tearing apart the gauge cluster, but you would have to do that to clean and lube the old clock.
By the way, after cleaning, lubing, and filing my old clock-it did work fine for almost a year.
By the way, after cleaning, lubing, and filing my old clock-it did work fine for almost a year.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 803
Likes: 0
From: South San Francisco CA
Re: My Clock is Near Death (Pete79L82)
I read your Clock Tech article. Very good info. My only problem is that dealing with something so delicate is more difficult these days than it used to be. Corvette Central will replace my movement with a quartz movement for about $15 or so labor plus the cost of the new quartz movement...around $55 or so. Once you've cleared the 45 year age barrier, your eyes go to pot and seeing up close is almost painful. Reading phone books and repairing clocks are something I don't do well anymore...even with my reading glasses. Thanks again though for the info...great job!!
Racer
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 347
Likes: 1
From: Walpole MA
Re: My Clock is Near Death (fontking1a)
45 years old come on now, I'm not bragging but I'm well over 50 (and wear bi-focals) and I did mine with a quartz replacement kit about 1 1/2 months ago. Like was said the worst part is getting the darn thing out. The actual replacement work itself is a piece of cake. Go for it, I know you can do it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,407
Likes: 2
From: Carmichael CA
Re: My Clock is Near Death (fontking1a)
I bought the quart rebuild kit and did the work myself. However, my kit also included an address where I could send everything and have them put it together for like $35 or something like that. I think the hardest thing about the clock rebuild is figuring out which gears to use...my kit included gears for all the sharks...and they changed clock brands like three times during 68 to 82.
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 803
Likes: 0
From: South San Francisco CA
Re: My Clock is Near Death (fontking1a)
Now I'm torn apart with a big decision. Do I do it myself...or have it done? This is going to take some heavy thinking....
A man's got to know his capabilities and I'm not too good anymore with little teeny, tiny stuff. On the other hand, how bad can I screw it up and if I do, well....just send it out and have it done by a pro.....hmmmm
A man's got to know his capabilities and I'm not too good anymore with little teeny, tiny stuff. On the other hand, how bad can I screw it up and if I do, well....just send it out and have it done by a pro.....hmmmm
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 212
Likes: 0
From: Elko New Market MN
Re: My Clock is Near Death (fontking1a)
Just did mine last week while I had the dash apart. It's really a piece of cake! The pieces are not as small as you think and the movement comes as an assembly. A couple of gears swapped and you're on your way. Go for it...
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: Sault Ste Marie Mi
Re: My Clock is Near Death (fontking1a)
You might only have to clean the old one up. Mine was doing the same in my 79 so I pulled it out and cleaned the points, grabbed a little 9 volt Duracell and rigged me up a couple wires to power the clock and away she went. I'm sure your contacts are just corroded a bit. A couple hours could cover the job easily from start to finish. :yesnod:
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 803
Likes: 0
From: South San Francisco CA
Re: My Clock is Near Death (Mighty Mouse)
I tapped the faceplate and it started working again. Must be dirt stuck in there but for now...all is well. It's been about four days now and still runnin' fine. You know what they say...."If it ain't broke...don't fix it".