Clock quartz conversion

[c9zx]

Has anyone done, or had done, a quartz conversion for a 71-73 Mustang. My mechanical repaired clock has failed, again. I'm looking to get it converted and hopefully be more reliable.
Thanks, Chuck

 

[TheRktmn]

ISI does them in shop only. I have one that I am fixing to rollout, it's been running on my bench. Come October will have run for 2 years and I figure that it's tested enough.

 

[c9zx]

Rktmn, Keep me in mind. I will gladly be your proof of concept guy. As a matter of fact, if you have the parts now, I'm ready to ship. Amazingly the clock in my Eliminator still works, when I plug in. I guess I'm just too lazy to install an inline fuse. Chuck

 

[TheRktmn]

Good timing. I have fixing to assemble some cores I have here already. I would love to get some real feedback - please send it to me.

 

[c9zx]

I will try to ship tomorrow morning, thanks. Chuck

 

[Retired2014]

Two years ago I faced the same issue of either getting my console clock rebuilt or quartz modified. Back then I don’t think #Rocketman was offering that service. I did learn that some companies were offering a generic wall clock quartz movement as a repair solution that proved unreliable due to the extreme heat cycles encountered in vehicles parked in the sun in hot climates. Made sense when I thought about it, but only AFTER I succumbed to a “really god priced quartz reproduction”. My bargain lasted less than one year. I then purchased a quartz replacement from a reputable rebuilder (The ClockWorks) and was very satisfied with their product. I just checked their website and learned they were having QC issues with their suppliers and are not currently offering quartz conversions. They still offer rebuild service for original OEM clocks.
Don’t go the bargain route, you’ll just be buying again.

 

[RC92234]

Good timing. I have fixing to assemble some cores I have here already. I would love to get some real feedback - please send it to me.

Would you like another for your test? It's not working now so you couldn't really break it.

I'm approaching time to reinstall the console. Since I haven't seen any acceptable current alternatives, I was thinking just to reinstall and leave nonfunctional.

 

[TheRktmn]

Two years ago I faced the same issue of either getting my console clock rebuilt or quartz modified. Back then I don’t think #Rocketman was offering that service. I did learn that some companies were offering a generic wall clock quartz movement as a repair solution that proved unreliable due to the extreme heat cycles encountered in vehicles parked in the sun in hot climates. Made sense when I thought about it, but only AFTER I succumbed to a “really god priced quartz reproduction”. My bargain lasted less than one year. I then purchased a quartz replacement from a reputable rebuilder (The ClockWorks) and was very satisfied with their product. I just checked their website and learned they were having QC issues with their suppliers and are not currently offering quartz conversions. They still offer rebuild service for original OEM clocks.
Don’t go the bargain route, you’ll just be buying again.

I was (am?) doing stepper movement conversions back then. Did you get one of those 3D printed clocks I see in eBay?

 

[tony-muscle]

I used a company called Instrument Services out of Roscoe, IL (https://www.clocksandgauges.com/) about 8 years ago to convert to quartz movement. It lasted a few months and then started losing time. I sent it back twice and still the same problem. It works well for a couple of days but then it starts losing time which renders it useless. I would like to eventually get mine fixed but in reality the clock location is hard to see due to the shifter boot I am using.

 

[TheRktmn]

That's ISI. They make the Borg conversion kits. They have a process to use their Borg units in the console GT (General Time) clocks that requires you send the clock to them. Unfortunately the quality of their kits has gone downhill over the last 18 months or so.
Your clock problem sounds like the clutch is slipping (not enough tension). That's a tough one to fix - go to far and you're looking for replacement parts.

 

[Retired2014]

I was (am?) doing stepper movement conversions back then. Did you get one of those 3D printed clocks I see in eBay?

Yes. Mine is just like those console clocks offered on EBay but originally it was offered outside EBay. Total junk in my experience.

 

[smartypants]

That's ISI. They make the Borg conversion kits. They have a process to use their Borg units in the console GT (General Time) clocks that requires you send the clock to them. Unfortunately the quality of their kits has gone downhill over the last 18 months or so.
Your clock problem sounds like the clutch is slipping (not enough tension). That's a tough one to fix - go to far and you're looking for replacement parts.

what are our options for a G.T. clock ? mine is stamped G.T. and a red stamp saying sept 24, 1970. i am told that rocketman does not work on these G.T. clocks anymore. does nobody convert these ? am i just out of luck ? just have to put my broken G.T. clock back in my car and live with it.

 

[Retired2014]

Try contacting the folks at http://clockwks.com. They offered both quartz conversions and repair of GT clocks up until they lost confidence in their quartz supplier and temporarily stopped their quartz conversions a couple years back. They may have found another supplier of quartz units since then, and if your clock (core) is rebuildable, they will go that route. My conversion from them keeps perfect time (right up until I disconnect the car battery for whatever maintenance I’m doing).

 

[TheRktmn]

I do have a limited number of movements I am using to convert these to quartz.
Right now I have two 'out in the field', and two more I am doing for customers. Apparently the USA manufacturer is having supplier issues so I don't feel comfortable advertising that I do them on my site until I have a steady supply. I hate to sell something I don't have. In the meantime PM me if you are interested in one.

 

[c9zx]

Bob did a conversion for me and it works great! Chuck

 

[PoFoMoCo]

Bob did a conversion for me and it works great! Chuck

Thanks for the heads-up Chuck, got my order in today.

 

[TheRktmn]

Here's one I just finished. The new lens makes a heck of a difference. You can't hear the ticking, but you can see the second hand does not sweep like most quartz conversions.

View attachment M7123Q-1.mp4

 

[Bobby]

Try contacting the folks at http://clockwks.com. They offered both quartz conversions and repair of GT clocks up until they lost confidence in their quartz supplier and temporarily stopped their quartz conversions a couple years back. They may have found another supplier of quartz units since then, and if your clock (core) is rebuildable, they will go that route. My conversion from them keeps perfect time (right up until I disconnect the car battery for whatever maintenance I’m doing).

Clockworks did mine for $200. I installed it but it did not work. I removed it and bench tested it and suspected that maybe there was a polarity issue (swapped positive and negative connections). I contacted clockworks and they would have to redo it because if the polarity were reversed, it would wreck the clock. They indicated that I would have to pay another fee to redo the build. I reluctantly agreed but also asked them to mark the polarity on the tabs coming out of the clock. They repeated the build and did mark polarity but did not charge me another fee. A great A+ for them and great customer service.

 

[tpj71mach]

I just placed my order yesterday! Hopefully I can get it shipped out today, but last day of the month is crazy at my business so probably won't be shipped until tomorrow realistically.