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Very good write up...except for how to "set" the clock. This clock is 'self-adjusting'. The way it works is that you plan to set the clock over a consecutive period of days. Pick a specific time of morning or afternoon...say 2pm. On day 1 at 2pm, set the clock to the correct time. On day 2 at 2pm, re-adjust the clock to the correct time by turning the hands in the direction which takes the least amount of turning. {If the adjustment **** is tightened properly, you can turn it either way to make adjustment, once you pull the ****/shaft outward.} On day 3, your clock should be pretty accurate; but, again make an adjustment to set it exactly on time. Continue the process, if necessary.
This is the process: consecutive days at the same time each day. The reason: because the self-adjusting mechanism inside the clock expects the correction to be the amount of error in a 24-hour period.
Of course, if you use your battery disconnect or change the battery or it goes dead, you will have to start this process over again. Or, you can run a dedicated wire from the battery terminal to only the clock so that it will not quit when you throw the disconnect.
It is also a good idea to put a bit of dielectric grease on the surface of the contacts. This will prolong the time it takes to cause them to get corroded. Without this grease, the clock will only run for 3-5 years without being serviced.
Last edited by 7T1vette; Jan 19, 2013 at 07:09 AM.
Thanks for the article. My next major project is to rebuild my 73 interior. I already bought the replacement kit to repair my clock, and your tutorial will help with some of the replacement.
And the clock in my 75 does not work. So I will probably figure out how to repair my 73 clock with your article, or switch the guts in the two clocks. Either way I plan on trying your method this summer.
Resetting the clock as described in my 1969 corvette owners manual:
Resetting the clock provides auto-matic regulation providing there is an error, either fast or slow, of at least 3 minutes. No regulation will be introduced if the clock is reset for an error of less than 3 minutes.
When resetting pull out the small **** and turn in the direction in which you wish to set the hands--clockwise if the clock is slow, counterclockwise if the clock is fast. Do not move the hands past the correct time.
I was following this also to fix the clock in my 71, however, does anyone know how to get the coil out? When I opened mine the wire leading to the coil was broken and I reattached everything and put power to it with the contacters touching, the magic smoke was let out.
So far, I have managed to fix the coil on the amp gauge and the seat belt switch, if I can get to this one there is a chance i can save it, but everything is riveted in place in the plastic and the coil melted into the plastic too. I am thinking this car saw one heck of an electrical jolt. Good thing this is part of my wiring replacement.
Thanks,
Jay
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I did the quartz upgrade on my '74 a couple months ago.....first time my clock has worked since I owned the car! But it came with pretty bad instructions....I'm surprised it worked! But it did (does!)
Excellent primer. The clock on my 69 never worked, but the instructions about freshening up the contacts saved $$. Forgot to bench test before reinstalling. After hooking up the power, the clock hands were spinning around like a scene from Back to the Future. Will make the adjustment.
I was able to repair (lubricate) my clock without taking it apart...I just oiled all the external openings with a very light 3in one oil and shook it a couple times until it started running then gave i slight help by pushing the hand for 30 seconds or so..... it did not work but letting the oil do its thing overnight did the trick and its been running over a week now.
I don't have any extra second hands but if you can find an old junk clock most Borge movement second hands will interchange as long as it looks similar. Westinghouse clocks, the other clock manufacturer second hands will not work.
Here is how you quartz convert one if fixing doesn't work.
Did mine years ago. Thought I bought a quartz kit but when I put it in and ran it for the first time I noticed the second hand was sweeping not ticking like a quartz clock does. I was happy as it looks original. It still works today and it's been 15 years since I did it.
Here is what it says in the 1971 Owners manual:
This will not work if you have the quartz kit installed.
Took a couple of these apart, sprayed with WD40, light drop of 3in1 oil and they worked, surprise! I used a couple of 6volt lantern batteries in series as a power source. In today's modern technology, it is fun to watch this clock work, sorta of a Rube Goldberg design, but hey maybe advanced for the day! Thanks for the link and the tip about setting and dielectric grease on the contacts. One problem I had was one of them worked but must have been drawing too many amps so it kept blowing the fuse (maybe a clue, it was getting worn out, ha!). Therefore I wired it up & fused it separately.
Last edited by 20mercury; Apr 14, 2017 at 11:47 PM.
I enjoy the old clocks, am reminded of a car my parents must have had that had this same mechanism in the clocking because I remember that 'clunk' that it made. Nostalgic. Might have been an old Buick?
