Topic: Testing a dash clock

[68 S Code]

Now I understand. The points should be in the closed position. Something is causing them to be stuck open. Ive sprayed it quite a bit. I don't know if I should limit where I spray it at this point? Maybe I'll call the clock guys.

[68 S Code]

Sprayed it a little more and nothing happened. Tried connecting it to the battery and again nothing happened. Talked with the repair guys. Found out its $70 to clean and try to get my movement to work. If it doesnt they can swap it out for another working used movement but thats $95. They can install a new quartz movement at $100 or I can just buy the quartz movement and DIY for $70 plus another $11 in shipping. I also checked around and Virginia Mustang sells a repop with quartz movement for 99. Maybe I just look at my watch or phone if I want to know the time.

[ruppstang]

No not buy the reproduction you will not be happy. At least thats what I have heard. Marty

[68 S Code]

The reason i will not be happy is that the second hand sweeps versus ticking or is it just poor quality? i read a post by a guy who paid 100 to have it restored and within a year it kicked out again. Said he should have just gone quartz. Hate to butcher up the original with quartz. Thought the repop might be the better way to go.

[jwc66k]

I had an original Rally Pac on a 66 Fastback that drained the battery, actually several, while it sat. It was the clock that did it. Let's say that I have several Mustangs (and other vehicles too) so daily driving was not practical. On another car I had a repro crystal controlled clock in the Rally Pac and had no problem with the battery, and it kept good time too. I have two Mustangs in my garage right now with original Rally Pacs, and I use battery disconnect switches on both because the clocks kill the batteries, if you don't keep them charged, as in trickle. Just a bit of info.
Jim

[Bob Gaines]

The reason i will not be happy is that the second hand sweeps versus ticking or is it just poor quality? i read a post by a guy who paid 100 to have it restored and within a year it kicked out again. Said he should have just gone quartz. Hate to butcher up the original with quartz. Thought the repop might be the better way to go.

Millons of mustang clocks were built and worked for many years. I would say that is a good testamnial. Collector cars sit idle much of the time and has been stated here before if the battery goes dead besides damaging the internals of the battery the running dead damaged the internals of the clock. That would be the most likely culprit of your poster guy I suspect.  If you don't let your battery go dead you should be fine. You should keep a battery tender on your collector car anyway to preserve your battery. That is info and discussion for another thread (others reading can do a search). Bob

[rockhouse66]

I have four of these clocks working in cars and never disconnect the battery in any of them.  No problems.  Maybe I've just been lucky.  I am sort of hung up on the "tic-tic" of an original clock.

[68 S Code]

I like the idea of the ticking clock and originality. So much so that i just purchased a set of original rear seat to replace the perfect TMI covered rear seat in the car. I guess I like the look of the original grain. So a quartz clock although easier to worrk with would probably bother me. I read that you can somehow wire in a switch and hide it so as to disconnect the power to the clock to keep it from draining the battery. So that is an option but not sure how thats done. Keep 3 cars on a battery tenders all the time now so thats not an issue.

[sharpm1]

Concours Group,

I am a new user to Concours Mustang Forum.  A recent 1967 Mustang Coupe purchase has led me to this group.

My thanks to 68 S Code for posting the clock question.  Also, thanks to Bob Gaines and 70cj428 for your contributions.  I can report today that because of this Post...my clock is now running successfully after 30 years of inactivity!  It is is pretty much spot-on time.

Thanks to all for this great information...superb photos!

Mike

[68 S Code]

How did you get it to work?

[Bob Gaines]

I like the idea of the ticking clock and originality. So much so that i just purchased a set of original rear seat to replace the perfect TMI covered rear seat in the car. I guess I like the look of the original grain. So a quartz clock although easier to worrk with would probably bother me. I read that you can somehow wire in a switch and hide it so as to disconnect the power to the clock to keep it from draining the battery. So that is an option but not sure how thats done. Keep 3 cars on a battery tenders all the time now so thats not an issue.

If  you have battery tenders or battery tender juniors on the cars already then you don't need a switch to disconnect  the clock . The clock will only run down a good battery that is fully charged down if connected for a month or more. With a tender it is a non issue. Bob

[sparky65]

I like the idea of the ticking clock and originality. So much so that i just purchased a set of original rear seat to replace the perfect TMI covered rear seat in the car. I guess I like the look of the original grain. So a quartz clock although easier to worrk with would probably bother me. I read that you can somehow wire in a switch and hide it so as to disconnect the power to the clock to keep it from draining the battery. So that is an option but not sure how thats done. Keep 3 cars on a battery tenders all the time now so thats not an issue.

Probably a good idea to just disconnect the battery if you are going to leave the car sit anyway.  I worry about electrical fires.

[Bob Gaines]

Probably a good idea to just disconnect the battery if you are going to leave the car sit anyway.  I worry about electrical fires.

Even though a electrical fire is not impossible it is highly improbable on a well mantained 65-70 Mustang. If it makes one feel more secure by all means . The down side is everytime you loosen and retighten that original or reproduction battery cable you lessen it's life too. The battery will still need to be on a tender regardless of if connected or not connected. Bob

[sparky65]

Even though a electrical fire is not impossible it is highly improbable on a well mantained 65-70 Mustang. If it makes one feel more secure by all means . The down side is everytime you loosen and retighten that original or reproduction battery cable you lessen it's life too. The battery will still need to be on a tender regardless of if connected or not connected. Bob

I agree, but it makes me more comfortable. 

Getting off topic but...
I plan on using one of those battery disconnect switches.  It would reduce the number of times you take the cable on and off and you can still pull it off for the shows.  Although I do see a few people who leave them on for the show.  Do those people lose points for doing that?

[Bob Gaines]

I agree, but it makes me more comfortable. 

Getting off topic but...
I plan on using one of those battery disconnect switches.  It would reduce the number of times you take the cable on and off and you can still pull it off for the shows.  Although I do see a few people who leave them on for the show.  Do those people lose points for doing that?

In a concours venue the battery disconnect is missing the point of the effort. It depends on if the judge over looks it or not . I haven't had to make that call with the cars I have judged over the years but would definitely do so if faced with the choice. Bob