C3 Clock Repair
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Littleton Colorado
C3 Clock Repair
Hello,
My clock doesn't work in my C3, and I'd like to take it apart and figure out how to repair it. I found this thread: https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ck-repair.html
however the link to the step by step process appears to be broken. Anyone have an instructive link or directions with images? Thank you,
My clock doesn't work in my C3, and I'd like to take it apart and figure out how to repair it. I found this thread: https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ck-repair.html
however the link to the step by step process appears to be broken. Anyone have an instructive link or directions with images? Thank you,
Racer
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 251
Likes: 33
A long time back I posted to Google “ Jay Ney How I fixed the clock in my 77 Corvetteâ€. I just tried googling the article and it is still up so you should be able to find it. If you look back at my post you will see some notes I added to assist others with their repair. Lots of luck, Russ.
My post in the thread below.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...k-working.html
My post in the thread below.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...k-working.html
Last edited by rberman999; Nov 25, 2017 at 09:17 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 4,142
Likes: 704
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
I would highly recommend that you just replace that electro-mechanical clock (Borg) with a modern quartz movement unit. It will look the same, but it will work for many years...and be accurate!
The stock clock is a neat design, but reliability is not one of its virtues. You can fix it...but it will need fixing again in a couple of years. Eventually, a pivot hole in the rear plate will elongate and the clock will be toast. While its out, replace it with something BETTER.
The stock clock is a neat design, but reliability is not one of its virtues. You can fix it...but it will need fixing again in a couple of years. Eventually, a pivot hole in the rear plate will elongate and the clock will be toast. While its out, replace it with something BETTER.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,160
Likes: 3,965
From: Connecticut, USA
I agree with 7T1,
I bought a used quartz white faced clock from a guy 12 -13 years ago when I was going through my 72. It hasn't stopped to date, the only issue with it is the original stem setup where you have to pull it out to change the time, it doesn't always engage. I set it and leave it. I am very happy with it and would be the only way I would service them today. All the original clocks in my 60's cars all stopped working.
I bought a used quartz white faced clock from a guy 12 -13 years ago when I was going through my 72. It hasn't stopped to date, the only issue with it is the original stem setup where you have to pull it out to change the time, it doesn't always engage. I set it and leave it. I am very happy with it and would be the only way I would service them today. All the original clocks in my 60's cars all stopped working.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,247
Likes: 471
From: Glen Allen, VA
I too upgraded mine to quartz and it hasn't missed a beat since, and it's been years. The only thing obvious unless the kits have changed is the that the second hand sweeps instead of tick tick ticking, if that's something that would bug you.
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Racer
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 251
Likes: 33
If you follow the article by Jay Ney as I suggest then you should be able to get your clock running again unless it has broken parts. Use isopropyl alcohol as the solvent and make sure it is fully dry before lubricanting the movement. I did mine several years ago (3-4) and it shows no signs of failure. I feel mine is original to my 73 so that makes it about 45 years old. The fact that I was able to fixed it myself for a cost of $0 ( I had IPA and a very light machine lube) made me feel good. Report back how you make out. Lots of luck, Russ.
PS: it’s not the only item in my gage cluster I fixed for nothing, I also fixed my amp meter, but that’s a story for another time.
PS: it’s not the only item in my gage cluster I fixed for nothing, I also fixed my amp meter, but that’s a story for another time.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,152
Likes: 252
What is your time worth?
Being a DIY'er I originally thought I would fix my original clock. Here is my experience....
It is a pain to get out, removing half the dash to get to it. High likelihood of breaking something else while getting it out.
Found the common welded contactors. Separated them and filed flat. cleaned with canned air, lubricated and reinstalled. That took about two solid days work.
Worked great for about a month then blew fuse. Knew the contacts had to have welded themselves again.
Bought a Quartz and installed it. Never looked back and no regrets.
Last edited by Dynra Rockets; Nov 27, 2017 at 10:16 AM.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 441
Likes: 22
From: Northeast OH
Racer
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 251
Likes: 33
Hi,
No weird letters showing up in my view of this thread / my reply’s. Using Garage Talk app. with i-phone. Sorry about that.
Addressing the value of ones time in fixing their clock. From my perspective, I looked at it more of a challenge, a learning experience and a level of satisfaction in being able to fix the clock myself at no cost. I now know how the clock works, I have an understanding of how to remove the gauge / radio bezel (up-graded radio, fixed amp gauge and replaced all gauge lamps while I was at it), and the satisfaction of a working clock. All of this has value to me, may not to you. To all contemplating fixing their own clock, I recommend at least trying as you have little to lose and much to gain (again, my perspective). Others will tell you that you’re wasting your time. As my dad use to tell me growing up, “Everyone wants to fell they made the right decision, rather than they made the best decision for themselves from their perspectiveâ€. Lots of luck to those fixing their own clock. Russ.
No weird letters showing up in my view of this thread / my reply’s. Using Garage Talk app. with i-phone. Sorry about that.
Addressing the value of ones time in fixing their clock. From my perspective, I looked at it more of a challenge, a learning experience and a level of satisfaction in being able to fix the clock myself at no cost. I now know how the clock works, I have an understanding of how to remove the gauge / radio bezel (up-graded radio, fixed amp gauge and replaced all gauge lamps while I was at it), and the satisfaction of a working clock. All of this has value to me, may not to you. To all contemplating fixing their own clock, I recommend at least trying as you have little to lose and much to gain (again, my perspective). Others will tell you that you’re wasting your time. As my dad use to tell me growing up, “Everyone wants to fell they made the right decision, rather than they made the best decision for themselves from their perspectiveâ€. Lots of luck to those fixing their own clock. Russ.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,810
Likes: 469
From: Wichita Kansas
For me it is all about the sound the original clock makes, the little clunk/thump. Really brings back memories.... Unfortunately my clock is not staying running very many days after the car sits idle like it used to. But it does fire right up when I drive it again, with a little kick start.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 414
Likes: 407
From: Meadville Pennsylvania
I had my dash out last winter so I cleaned and repaired my clock just to see if it would ever work again. After I put it together I ran it on my end table with a 110 to 12dcv converter for about a week and it ran rather well. When I put the dash back together it sat for about 2 months without the battery hooked up. I was really surprised and happy when I hooked the battery up this spring and the clock started without problems. I did the daily time setting ritual and while it was off 15 or so minutes if the car sat for a week or so, it was nice to hear the clock run. In August the darn thing quit again so it will be non functioning until I have another dash problem to fix. I won't be taking the center dash out just to repair the clock and when I do it will probably get a quartz replacement.
Jerry
Jerry
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Littleton Colorado
Dash is already all the way out as I was fixing a different electrical issue. Everything adds up, clock isn't that big a deal to me. I'd just rather spend that money on something else. Seemed dumb to me to spend money on a quartz clock that costs more than the panel I'm putting it in.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,851
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
I had my dash out last winter so I cleaned and repaired my clock just to see if it would ever work again. After I put it together I ran it on my end table with a 110 to 12dcv converter for about a week and it ran rather well. When I put the dash back together it sat for about 2 months without the battery hooked up. I was really surprised and happy when I hooked the battery up this spring and the clock started without problems. I did the daily time setting ritual and while it was off 15 or so minutes if the car sat for a week or so, it was nice to hear the clock run. In August the darn thing quit again so it will be non functioning until I have another dash problem to fix. I won't be taking the center dash out just to repair the clock and when I do it will probably get a quartz replacement.
Jerry
Jerry
On the standard movement write up posted above.. I think it's awesome. But the only thing the guy that did this didn't know was that you can adjust the clock speed by either advancing the clock 12 hours, or reversing it 12 hours. In increments this will make the needed adjustment to the Borg movement over time. While you'll never get it 100 percent accurate, you'll get it very close. In the write up he took the clock back apart (which he didn't need to do).
Willcox
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,111
Likes: 32
From: Damascus MD
12 hours
The biggest issue with these old borg clocks is the points burn... and the dirt that gets inside of them. They can be fixed but even then you really are having a crap shoot. This is one reason I did the quartz video, it's a one time deal and works perfectly and the old movements are so susceptible to failure.
On the standard movement write up posted above.. I think it's awesome. But the only thing the guy that did this didn't know was that you can adjust the clock speed by either advancing the clock 12 hours, or reversing it 12 hours. In increments this will make the needed adjustment to the Borg movement over time. While you'll never get it 100 percent accurate, you'll get it very close. In the write up he took the clock back apart (which he didn't need to do).
Willcox
On the standard movement write up posted above.. I think it's awesome. But the only thing the guy that did this didn't know was that you can adjust the clock speed by either advancing the clock 12 hours, or reversing it 12 hours. In increments this will make the needed adjustment to the Borg movement over time. While you'll never get it 100 percent accurate, you'll get it very close. In the write up he took the clock back apart (which he didn't need to do).
Willcox
Hope I am making sense. Not trying to hi back a thread but my clock is in need of repair and I will be using the original movement.
Thanks, Bill