clock not working

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David B Hay
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clock not working

#1 Post by David B Hay »

Have a 1962 356B T-6 with 6 volt. Have power to the clock but is not working. Understand there is an adjusting screw on the back but not sure what that is for. Can the average guy fix the clock or have to send it off somewhere??

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Sebastian Gaeta
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Re: clock not working

#2 Post by Sebastian Gaeta »

Depends on how average the guy is. I would say the level of difficulty is two and a half to three mini screwdrivers out of five. Do a search here as there are many threads about fixing them and also where to send them for repair if it is beyond what you want to do. A nice upgrade is to convert them to a quartz movement then you never have to worry about it again.
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Mike Wilson
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Re: clock not working

#3 Post by Mike Wilson »

The screw is to adjust +/- the time; fast or slow. Was the clock previously working? If so, try a separate ground wire from a bracket stud to a chassis ground like a windshield wiper motor bolt. If non-op, there are threads on disassembly and checking the innards. Sometimes it's the thin wire that has melted, sometimes the contact points or just needs a good cleaning and lube with watch oil.

If all else fails, the mechanism can be replaced with a quartz movement.
Mike Wilson
Lomita, CA
'63 B coupe

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Bruce Smith
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Re: clock not working

#4 Post by Bruce Smith »

Palo Alto and North Hollywood may not be repairing the movements anymore because of lack of parts. Conversion to a quartz movement might be your only choice.
Bruce Smith

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Harlan Halsey
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Re: clock not working

#5 Post by Harlan Halsey »

When I faced this issue, PA offered to fix it or to substitute a quartz movement. He said that when the cars were not driven frequently, the battery voltage decreased. A weak battery wouldn't supply enough current to fully pull in the solenoid, and it would not switch off. The solenoid is designed for pulse operation, not continuous current so it fails.
I opted for the quartz movement rather than the contract to keep the battery fully charged.

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Bruce Smith
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Re: clock not working

#6 Post by Bruce Smith »

Palo Alto fixed the electro/mechanical movement in mine about five years ago. They said then that they wouldn't be able to do it much longer.
Bruce Smith

Geoff Fleming
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Re: clock not working

#7 Post by Geoff Fleming »

It is possible to restore the clock to working order yourself.
First thing to understand, is that it is not an electric clock but mechanical. The mechanism receives a quick jolt of electricity every eight minutes or so in order to activate a weighted arm which, in turn, allows the mechanical gearing to begin working. If the white plastic backing is removed, the first thing to do is clean the mechanism with light oil, ( clock oils are preferred but other solutions can be found in electrical supply shops). After decades of use, the gears can be very bogged down as the oils have solidified. A quick check of the breaker mechanism will also show if the electric contact is going to work. Sometimes a quick bit of soldering is all you need.
Always worth trying to fix it first before sending it out.

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Mervyn Hyde
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Re: clock not working

#8 Post by Mervyn Hyde »

As Geoff suggests, it is possible. I have successfully done three now (not all mine) and the fusible link near the breaker points is the most common culprit. Take a look at the various threads on this.
Merv
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Paul Ahnell
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Intall clock on blank dash

#9 Post by Paul Ahnell »

What's the best way to cut a clean hole in the dash of my T5 so I can install my new quartz clock? Car never had a clock before and I would like to cut hole without buggering up the paint on the dash. I've considered marking appropriately-sized circle (60 mm?) and then drilling many small holes inside the perimeter and finishing with a Dremel or some such. Is there a fine hole saw available to fit to a drill that would work? Open to all suggestions. Thanks.
Paul Ahnell
'60 Normal Coupe

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Daryl Bruhl
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Re: clock not working

#10 Post by Daryl Bruhl »

+1 on checking the fuse able link first, as I remember it is there to 'save' clock from damage if you try to jump 6V car with 12V battery. If you can solder you can fix it. As far as lubrication goes use only synthetic oil and very little on tip of needle. Synthetic does not dry up like Dino oil does. I use synthetic motor oil on my old large clock movements. Look for the small 2oz size oil for small two cycle engines, might save you from buying the $$ quart size. Enjoy from sunny SoCal 63 super 90 *today might be the first day over 70 degrees in a loooong time!

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Re: clock not working

#11 Post by Mike Ruddy »

Regarding the quartz replacement movements, is this a DIY option ? Are suitable 6 volt movements readily available or is it a specialist's job ?

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Ned Hamlin
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Re: clock not working

#12 Post by Ned Hamlin »

Be careful if you do your own soldering on the fusible link. The manufacturer used a low temp solder that would melt before damaging the works. I had a local jeweler friend solder mine and it worked great.
Ned Hamlin
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David B Hay
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Re: clock not working

#13 Post by David B Hay »

Thanks for all the info and advice on my clock that is not working.....you guys were a great help as always. Shout out to Tim Berardelli as well for his input !!

Spike Jones
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Re: clock not working

#14 Post by Spike Jones »

David,
The advice you are getting is good. My Dad was a watchmaker and I grew up messing with clock & watch mechanisms. It's probably, as suggested, either the link or gummed up with oil which has lost it's viscosity. Even if you repair the link, you will probably have to figure out how to clean out the old oil residue and carefully re-oil the mechanism. Do not over oil!!
Spike Jones
'58 Cab

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Mike Wilson
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Re: clock not working

#15 Post by Mike Wilson »

I've used a good electronic cleaner folowed by lubrication with watch oil.

Mike
Mike Wilson
Lomita, CA
'63 B coupe

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