Classic Car Clock Update
Classic Conversion to Quartz Clock Technology
Time. It seems lately that's all anyone ever talks about. The world is moving at triple-digit pace and everything is light years faster than it was even last week. And because time is such a precious commodity, every car should have a properly functioning quartz clock. Older collector cars can particularly benefit from a quartz-clock update to replace those whose small second-hands quit working within minutes of when the car was driven off the dealer's lot. Many vehicles' clocks probably haven't indicated the correct time for years. The fix is simple. Requiring no special tools, the repairs can be done in an afternoon; although, we recommend allowing a full day in order to clean behind the dash area and to spiff up the instrument cluster.
Clock Death
Your original clock stopped because the negative polarity points electrically melted together. Your original clock stopped because the negative polarity points electrically melted together. The early self-winding clocks have two points, similar to ignition points, that get closer and closer as the clock ticks. If the battery is low or gets disconnected while the points are close together, instead of firing apart to rewind the mechanism, they simply touch and stick. The result is a dead clock.
The '71 Corvette shown here underwent a restoration while still functioning as a daily driver. While the dash was disassembled to replace the clock, we painted the instrument cluster and cleaned the indicator-button lenses. Small scratches in the instrument cluster's plastic lens can be buffed out with a fine-grit polish.
Conversion Kit
The conversion kit comes with a detailed instruction sheet, and some of the gears from the original clock are transferred to the new movement. The job is truly simple to figure out and very rewarding when finished. A functioning clock adds credibility to a classic restoration and adds new meaning to your old time machine.
Begin by disconnecting the battery, then removing the two doorjamb dash screws. A short Phillips screwdriver is necessary to access the lower screw. An electric screwdriver will speed up disassembling the dash area.
The trim at the front of the console must be removed on the passenger side.
Remove the retaining screws on each side of the instrument cluster housing that go into the dash fascia. There are three more screws along the underside of the front lip of the dash pad. The entire dash face can now be carefully pulled down and away from the dash area. With this trim removed, the area can be cleaned and inspected for wear.
Before removing the instrument cluster, disconnect the oil-pressure gauge line with a 3/8-inch wrench. A towel on the lower console will prevent scratches while removing the cluster. Next, disconnect the electrical power connection at the back of the clock. Mark all bulbs and plug connections with tape to make the reinstall easier.
Once the cluster is on the workbench, remove two 1/4-inch metal screws at the back of the clock.
Using a small screwdriver, unscrew the small screw in the clock setting knob. This will allow you to remove the knob from the stem. The clock can now be removed from the cluster.
To remove the faceplate, three small tabs must first be bent up. Do this carefully and slowly so you don't break off the tabs. A small screwdriver will work well.
The case has three crimps, which can be squeezed smooth with a flat pair of pliers, and three round push-on retainers that hold the clock mechanism to the case. These retainers can be gently twisted off their posts.
The new quartz movement is plastic; the original is metal. The new clock is considerably lighter than the factory unit but it is identical to the original.
Two metal gears and a pressure washer are simply pulled off the original and reinstalled on the quartz movement. The new clock has two plastic gears that need to be installed with the old metal ones.
The movement will attach directly to the original metal plate, and a new rubber insulator and push-on retainers are supplied.
The finished clock with the conversion accomplished: It looks identical to the original from the outside but will not self-destruct like the original model.
Just for your edification, this is one of the original points that were fried together. The other is above the one we are pointing out. Normally, even when brand new, these clocks did not work for long.
Before reconnecting the power to the clock, it should be set to 12:00 pm. The clock might run backward for a second or two, then reverse and proceed correctly.
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