Clock fix?

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

DanMcG

Full Access Member
Joined
Jun 28, 2014
Posts
1,076
Reaction score
1,884
Location
Central NY
First Name
Dan
Truck Year
1978 1985
Truck Model
k10 k10
Engine Size
400 350
I picked up a clock that didn't work and after a couple rounds of PB Blaster I got it running but it's running slow. Lost about 5 minutes in 15 hours.
Does anyone have a fix for this?
I might spray it down a couple more times but other then that I'm at a loss.
 

75gmck25

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 13, 2016
Posts
2,038
Reaction score
1,836
Location
Northern Virginia
First Name
Bruce
Truck Year
1975
Truck Model
K25 Camper Special TH350 NP203
Engine Size
5.7
On most of the older mechinical clocks there is a speed adjustment, but I've never seen how it works or how to adjust it. I found this article on youtube and it reminded me that some of them were designed so that when you move the time forward it should auto-adjust the internal speed. The theory is that if the clock runs slow you will adjust it frequently, and it will gradually auto-adjust enough to be correct. I don't know if GM clocks work that way.
http://www.oldcarsweekly.com/restor...tting_the_ticktock_back_in_your_old_car_clock

Bruce
 

DanMcG

Full Access Member
Joined
Jun 28, 2014
Posts
1,076
Reaction score
1,884
Location
Central NY
First Name
Dan
Truck Year
1978 1985
Truck Model
k10 k10
Engine Size
400 350
Thanks Bruce, thats a great article, and the one I have is very similar to the one in the right up. I'll try the advancing the minute hand and see what happens.
 
Last edited:

78C10BigTen

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 12, 2017
Posts
15,604
Reaction score
24,050
Location
pennsylvannia
First Name
Ted
Truck Year
1978
Truck Model
C10 BIG TEN
Engine Size
350
My clock also loses time but i just gave up on it lol its way down in the corner where i dont look much anyway.
 

smoothandlow84

I'd rather be draggin' frame
Joined
Jan 4, 2015
Posts
2,121
Reaction score
784
Location
Arizona
First Name
Steve
Truck Year
1984 Frame...87 motor and 700r trans
Truck Model
1500 r10 pavement scraper
Engine Size
350 TBI
Well...at least you will be less likely to be late...
 

chengny

Full Access Member
Joined
Feb 22, 2012
Posts
4,086
Reaction score
1,008
Location
NH
First Name
Jerry
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
K3500
Engine Size
350/5.7
I picked up a clock that didn't work and after a couple rounds of PB Blaster I got it running but it's running slow. Lost about 5 minutes in 15 hours.
Does anyone have a fix for this?
I might spray it down a couple more times but other then that I'm at a loss.

GM specific procedure:


Testing and Inspection

Regulation of electric clocks is accomplished automatically by resetting the time. If the clock is running fast, the action of turning the hands back to correct the time will automatically cause the clock to run slightly slower. If the clock is running slow, the action of turning the hands forward to correct the time will automatically cause the clock to run slightly faster (10 to 15 seconds day).
A lock-out feature prevents the clock regulator mechanism from being reset more than once per wind cycle, regardless of the number of times the time is reset. After the clock rewinds, if the time is then reset, automatic regulation will take place. If a clock varies over 10 minutes per day, it will never adjust properly and must be repaired or replaced.

WINDING CLOCK WHEN CONNECTING BATTERY OR CLOCK WIRING
The clock requires special attention when reconnecting a battery that has been disconnected for any reason, a clock that has been disconnected, or when replacing a blown clock fuse. It is very important that the initial wind be fully made. The procedure is as follows:

  1. Make sure that all other instruments and lights are turned off.
  2. Connect positive cable to battery.
  3. Before connecting the negative cable, press the terminal to its post on the battery. Immediately afterward, strike the terminal against the battery post to see if there is a spark. If there is a spark, allow the clock to run down until it stops ticking, and repeat as above until there is no spark. Then immediately make the permanent connection before the clock can again run down. The clock will run down in approximately two minutes.
  4. Reset clock after all connections have been made. The foregoing procedure should also be followed when reconnecting the clock after it has been disconnected, or if it has stopped because of a blown fuse. Be sure to disconnect battery before installing a new fuse.
TROUBLESHOOTING
If clock does not run, check for blown ``clock'' fuse. If fuse is blown, check for short in wiring. If fuse is not blown, check for open circuit.
With an electric clock, the most frequent cause of clock fuse blowing is voltage at the clock which will prevent a complete wind and allow clock contacts to remain closed. This may be caused by any of the following: discharged battery, corrosion on contact surface of battery terminals, loose connections at battery terminals, at junction block, at fuse clips, or at terminal connection of clock. Therefore, if in reconnecting battery or clock it is noted that the clock is not ticking, always check for blown fuse, or examine the circuits at the points indicated above to determine and correct the cause.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
42,195
Posts
911,116
Members
33,687
Latest member
Dale Downes
Top