Topic: Clock Replacement
in Forum: C3 Interior
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Lifetime MemberIndianapolis, IN - USA
Joined: 9/3/2006
Posts: 2429
Vette(s): Silver 1974 Convertible - L82 4 speed
Low miles (was only 8,900 when I bought it in March 2006) - Now 54K miles. Original owner bought it as an investment for son's college expenses.
2008 Jetstream Blue Convertible
I recently got a reconditioned clock that I'd like to put in my 74. Just to make sure it was done originally, the second hand is supposed to "sweep," right - not tick?
Also, does anyone have any advice on the best (easiest) way to do the replacement? Do I need to undo the two bolts at the bottom of the instrument bezel (below the radio), or do you think I can get in there enough without doing that? As I've said, I'm not very handy with tools and have not had great success with projects like this.
If I need to take that bezel all the way out, I suppose I'd like to try to troubleshoot the radio while I'm at it. It also does not work. The lights don't even go on when I have lights on, so would that indicate that possibly it's not getting power?
Wow. How many questions can I put in one thread?!
Thanks guys (and gals)!
I wanted a Corvette my whole life, but I never dreamed of all the wonderful people I would meet because of it!
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If your talkin about the 2 screws that go in from the back of the dash plate to the front side of the shifter plate,take them out B-4 ya start moving anything around,they can be a PITA to get to,but if ya don't take em out ya might break off the plastic tabs,then you'll be buyin a new one,just take your time,while your in there it would be a good time to replace the light bulbs,heater ,shifter ,etc.even if they work now ,it'll save ya from tearin it apart again later,dont forget the map light ,I am pretty sure the original clocks tick,not sweep
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Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
rons kinda sorta right...
The original movement would be very smooth. The second hand will "step" about 90 times per minute.
Most quartz replacement movements "click/jump" quite noticeably, but some move extremely smoothly, almost a continuous sweep.
If you listen closely to an original movement, you can hear the contacts when they open and close, as that is what winds the spring in the clock.
You really need to remove the two nuts that hold the cluster to the center console, just below the radio. You will most likely break one or the other, or BOTH, if you don't.
It may help to remove the nuts on the radio first, so it can be moved around a bit. The two nuts under it are kinda hard to get to, but you can get them from the sides. Be genital pulling down on the cluster, as it WILL break at the top(by the A/C vents) if you're not careful!!
The original movement would be very smooth. The second hand will "step" about 90 times per minute.
Most quartz replacement movements "click/jump" quite noticeably, but some move extremely smoothly, almost a continuous sweep.
If you listen closely to an original movement, you can hear the contacts when they open and close, as that is what winds the spring in the clock.
You really need to remove the two nuts that hold the cluster to the center console, just below the radio. You will most likely break one or the other, or BOTH, if you don't.
It may help to remove the nuts on the radio first, so it can be moved around a bit. The two nuts under it are kinda hard to get to, but you can get them from the sides. Be genital pulling down on the cluster, as it WILL break at the top(by the A/C vents) if you're not careful!!
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56 
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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
Lifetime MemberLanoka Harbor, NJ - USA
Joined: 12/21/2006
Posts: 828
Vette(s): 1975 metallic blue coupe with t-tops,L48, t/t steering, black leather interior. 1990 L98, white/red leather interior, auto,a/c
the only way i know to get at it is to remove the whole piece. two
screws at top two on the side and there are two on the cross frame
where the top part meets the center. take off the radio knobs and take
off the nuts that are behind them. whole piece should come right off
then. make sure to disconnect battery first as there are hot wires that
you don't want to short (clock for instance). i marked each set of
wires as to where they went and to what guage they went to. ron is
right..change the bulbs while you have it out. nothing worse than
putting all back and find out a bulb burnt out. take your time...sounds
a lot harder than it is.
LIFETIME MEMBER #97
THE DYNAMIC DUO
THE DYNAMIC DUO
[QUOTE=Adams' Apple] Be genital pulling down on the cluster, as it WILL break at the top(by the A/C vents) if you're not careful!![/QUOTE]
I'm not going to say a thing.
Nope, not going to make a single solitary wisecrack.
I want to--I REALLY want to--I'm dyin' inside....but I won't.
If I can resist the impulse, I know I'll be a better person for it.
Just.....please.......give me the strength......!!!
(Micki, please take over here--I think I'm gonna have to go lie down...)
I'm not going to say a thing.
Nope, not going to make a single solitary wisecrack.
I want to--I REALLY want to--I'm dyin' inside....but I won't.
If I can resist the impulse, I know I'll be a better person for it.
Just.....please.......give me the strength......!!!
(Micki, please take over here--I think I'm gonna have to go lie down...)
If I may shift the thread a bit...I'm going to fix the clock and put in a new oil pressure line. I'm thinking if I do all of the above, the oil pressure line should be right in front of me. Any comments or info...Thanks.
in Forum: C3 Interior
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