I am looking for a source that can either restore the clock for my 62 or provide instructions that will allow me to tackle it myself. I have found a few shops including ISI in Il. that will convert it to quartz but none that will restore it to its original state. Also the clock has a date stamp of of Nov 60 on the back. The "F" and "S" are in the right location but the date seems a bit too early. How will this do during judging? As always thanks for the advise! Eric
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Re: clock service for 62
Eric - I would expect that Clocks by Roger will do a restoration on your clock. I know he has done a non quartz resto for a friend's '67. There's got to be any number of other sources as well (check Hemmings etc). I opted to go with a quartz on my 62 for simplicity and reliability. If I get serious about being judged, I'll put in the original. Same story-what is your goal for the end result, Top Flight, Survivor, Quality Driver? Good Hunting. Dick -
Re: clock service for 62
Eric, I too have found that Corvette Clocks By Roger is a good source. He has done three clocks for me. All restored originals (58,67,74). Bob.Comment
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Re: clock service for 62
Advice worth your consideration is already given by others -- what's your objective vs. quartz/mechanical. Quartz for driver/reliability and mech for SERIOUS factory concours application.
As far as date on rear of clock, sounds to me like your clock's been repaired by swap along the line. But, I don't know of judges reading the rubber date code stamping due to access being difficult.
Last, professional restoration services are great and I did use Clocks By Roger on my Mark Of Excellence/B Gold/Triple Crown '65. But, on my '71 which was aimed at high 2nd Flight/low Top Flight/driver application, I did the restoration myself.
Bought a quartz conversion kit from J.C. Whitney (they also stock mech kits). As I remember you can get kits direct from original mfgr (Borg Warner) as well as other major Corvette parts catalog houses. Kit comes with fly sheet of instructions that was good enough for me to use/do.
What you won't get this way, is anything other than internal repair. E.g. no face plate refresh, bezel paint/chrome re-do and/or rear housing replate. I remember.Comment
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Re: clock service for 62
Eric----
Corvette Clocks by Roger is an excellent source as the other responders have advised you. However, bear this in mind: if you restore an original J.W. Borg mechanical movement( a "tick-tock" in the vernacular of clock makers), it will be a relatively short-lived piece. It is virtually impossible to restore these movements to "as-new" condition. Also, even in "as-new" condition, these were not accurate or reliable clocks. They are subject to a variety of maladies, including failure due to ignoring of the procedure outlined in the service manual when reconnecting batteries.
I do not recommend the use of a mechanical movement for any purpose other than the so-called "Performance Verification Test".In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: clock info
I would like to keep the unit as original as possible but everyone brings up good points. I will have to consider all the good info that was passed along before sending it off. As always thanks for the advise. EricComment
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Re: clock service for 62
Eric,
I beg to differ with Joe's opinion on the "lifespan" of the mechanical clock restoration. I had the one in my '62 done in 1990 and it's still ticking and keeps good time. Have a battery disconnect switch that I use all the time, and don't do anything else.
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Re: clock service for 62
Eric, All the 60's clock are the same movements. The major problem is the points pit up and refuse to allow reset. This is a restoreable situation to resurface the points with a flat stone. Don't go to far cause these hardened point surfaces are not very thick. The other part that wears out is the spindle on the spring wheel and it's bearing hole. I have not figured out a fix for this part yet. A friend of mine who is a model maker made new parts to repair his 67. It's still running 7 years later and keeps perfect time.Comment
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Re: clock service for 62
I'm sure there are several good shops that do restorations. In 1989 I sent my 62 clock to David Lindquist in Whittier, CA. He charged me $29.00 which included the return shipping charges. It's still ticking. I'm sure the $29 charge is more now. (I think $39.00...)Comment
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Re: Clock input
Thanks again to all that have given me so much to think about. I have noticed since joining NCRS that you are never stuck alone with a problem! Eric-62puzzleComment
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Re: Clock input
Thanks for the vote of confidence. I'm sure the NCRS BoD will be reinforced in their support of the NDB. Now, a word from your sponsor....
The kind of stuff that's discussed here, is routine info sharing that goes on at the NCRS Chapter level. In fact, it was John Waggoner and the Indiana Chapter that pioneered the NDB as part of their experimental jump into cyberspace that many other chapters, including mine, have followed.
Writing e and getting personal feedback to your specific situation is not new to NCRS. That's what the club was founded to do. People helping people to restore/maintain these cars.
But, unless you're a shut-in or live in the middle of nowhere, there's probably an NCRS Chapter near you. Each has it's own flavor and base of experience. I encourage you to join and get active. There's simply no electronic substitute for getting another guys eyeballs on your car, opening his home/garage/library and parts stache to you!!!!Comment
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Re: clock internals of 62 vs 70
Did clock internals/mechanicals change much between the 60's and early 70's? I would like to rebuild my own (see post above). Any repair experience out there with 70's clocks? Thanks.TonyComment
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Re: Clock for 62
Greg, Thanks for the input. After weighing all the comments I am sending my clock out to Roger for a mech rebuild. If this doesn't meet my service needs I can always have the quartz done later and chalk the expense up to learning. I might also look for a second "quartz clock" so I can have a show and go set. Thanks - EricComment
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Re: clock internals of 62 vs 70
Tony, I would guess all the points type reset clock mechanism are the same Vettes and regular GM cars untill the electronic stuff took over. I'm not up on any thing beyond '69. I've used parts from various versions (Plastic vs metal case configurations) they all seem to interchange ok. Do you have your '70 vintage clock mechanism removed from it's housing?Comment
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Re: clock internals of 62 vs 70
No, I have not removed the clock guts from the housing. A few years ago, I simply removed the clock assembly from the car (replaced it with the rebuilt 1971 Quartz movement) and placed the original in a box. I just now took it out of the box and set it in front of me. A black number is stamped on the back which reads 0790 which looks like a Julian date to me--79th day of 1970 which would be about March 20, 1970 which was a Friday. The car was built on July 20, 1970 which was a Tuesday. It looks to me like it would not take much effort to remove the face and cover plate below by simply bending some tabs a bit. However, before I do that how should I remove the hands (especially the second hand)?
Other info: Under the "Inspected by 10" sticker, there is some lettering stamped. Looks like ----UMEN ----N WIS. BORG (R) followed by PATENTS 3112605 AND 3137122TonyComment
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