Quartz Clock Conversion
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,353
Likes: 44
From: Calgary Alberta
Quartz Clock Conversion
If I do a quartz clock conversion in my 1976, do I need to supply power to it from a hot wire going into the cluster somewhere? Just not sure how this all looks.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
No changes in wiring are needed. You simply replace the mechanism.
I did this last year, one of the easier things I've had to do. Make sure to free up the brass clutch mechanism and test it off the car with a 9V battery.
I did this last year, one of the easier things I've had to do. Make sure to free up the brass clutch mechanism and test it off the car with a 9V battery.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,100
Likes: 12
From: Frederick Maryland
I installed one of the quartz clocks in my '69 (and in the '78 I owned) and it was an easy replacement...and it works! Not like the original clock.
A bit of advice...when taking the panel out to replace the clock, do yourself a favor and replace every light bulb back there. It saves having to do it again later, the bulbs are cheap and the less often you need to take things apart in the car the better!
A bit of advice...when taking the panel out to replace the clock, do yourself a favor and replace every light bulb back there. It saves having to do it again later, the bulbs are cheap and the less often you need to take things apart in the car the better!
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 11,183
Likes: 3,334
From: North of Toronto - Ontario
One last little thing I might put out there.
Before re-installing everything, check the hands.
I made a mistake and put mine all back together and back into the car and only then did I notice that the little hand is off about 20 min. So when it should be 4:00 the little hand is part way between the 4 and 5 while the big hand is on the 12.
Just irritating enough that I'll have to take it back out and fix it.
Mooser
Before re-installing everything, check the hands.
I made a mistake and put mine all back together and back into the car and only then did I notice that the little hand is off about 20 min. So when it should be 4:00 the little hand is part way between the 4 and 5 while the big hand is on the 12.
Just irritating enough that I'll have to take it back out and fix it.
Mooser
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Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,850
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Brcmpbl if you hang in there.. this is one of the next videos we have planned in the next month... Hopefully we can walk everyone through this conversion show a few tricks, and discuss issues that can show up during the installation. A good example of this would be the clutch....
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 12,239
Likes: 19
From: Chino CA
I bought the conversion kit from Willcox....
Minor PITA because I'd never done it before and the instructions left a little to be desired....but all and all - doable....and IT WORKED when I was done !
Minor PITA because I'd never done it before and the instructions left a little to be desired....but all and all - doable....and IT WORKED when I was done !
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 2,748
Likes: 90
From: Sacramento California
C2 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
2018 C2 of Year Finalist
I just did this one mine, and it failed. No movement, and the thing started to heat up and smell like it was burning.
Waiting to speak to Willcox about returing for a replacement.
Ugh....
Waiting to speak to Willcox about returing for a replacement.
Ugh....
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,009
Likes: 1,116
From: North tonawanda NY
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,850
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
When the movements start up they will run backwards, then forward and then backwards a few times before starting, this is normal.
It's odd that it is smoking... Did you verify that the clutch is not stuck from the old movement? If the old clutch is locked up it will cook the movement because the gears can not turn.
The link below was turned off because I'm on the last edit of the video... It should be up in about 1 week. But here is a copy of the instruction sheet (and one you can actually read). For anyone interested:
Quartz Installation Instruction Sheet ( A read-able copy)
http://willcoxcorvette.com/repairand...lp.php?hID=331
Willcox
It's odd that it is smoking... Did you verify that the clutch is not stuck from the old movement? If the old clutch is locked up it will cook the movement because the gears can not turn.
The link below was turned off because I'm on the last edit of the video... It should be up in about 1 week. But here is a copy of the instruction sheet (and one you can actually read). For anyone interested:
Quartz Installation Instruction Sheet ( A read-able copy)
http://willcoxcorvette.com/repairand...lp.php?hID=331
Willcox
Last edited by Willcox Corvette; Apr 28, 2013 at 06:30 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 2,748
Likes: 90
From: Sacramento California
C2 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
2018 C2 of Year Finalist
Well, I had it installed correctly, the original instructions were fine. but I went ahead and loosened the clutch up some more. Same thing....
Then I figured I had nothing to lose, so i switched the leads....
And it works fine! So is the quartz internals wired backwards? Are the instructions wrong? I dont want to install it and have the car burst into flames.....
Then I figured I had nothing to lose, so i switched the leads....
And it works fine! So is the quartz internals wired backwards? Are the instructions wrong? I dont want to install it and have the car burst into flames.....
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,850
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Wow.. I have never seen that before.. I've been installing this same kit for twenty plus years.... that is only the second one I've seen bad.. 
...
Tell you what.. you send it to me.. Clock and all and I'll install it for you with a new movement and return ship it the same day it arrives.... This way you won't have to worry about the time wasted installing..
you may email me at Support@Willcoxcorvette.com
... Tell you what.. you send it to me.. Clock and all and I'll install it for you with a new movement and return ship it the same day it arrives.... This way you won't have to worry about the time wasted installing..
you may email me at Support@Willcoxcorvette.com
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 844
Likes: 6
From: Fort Wayne, IN
A little off topic, but would anyone here have an extra clock housing for a 77? I broke one of the retaining tabs off of mine and the clock is loose and contacting the gauge cluster housing causing a short. I'd rather replace the housing than keep on buying new printed circuit boards.