The Ford Barn

cabrioletgalaxie · 12-10-2019, 12:37 AM

The clock in my '47 is not working. Before I take it out and screw it up I would like some advise as to the safest and best way to start. Or is there a 'clock guy' I should consider sending it too?
I have not checked any wiring to it but know that is probably the best place to begin.
Suggestions on how to proceed are appreciated. Thanks.

tubman · 12-10-2019, 07:16 AM

I have an electric-wind clock in my '51 Ford which was not working. I took to a local clock repairman who had fixed my Grandfather clock for me a couple of years previously. He inspected it and found it just needed a good cleaning (which he did for $20). I got it back a couple of days later. That was a couple of years ago and it's still working. The only problem is that I can't get it to keep time closer than about a minute or two a day, but I guess that's just the nature of the beast.

I am sure there are people out there you can send it too, but I knew this guy and decided to save time and shipping. After all, a clock is a clock.

fordwife · 12-10-2019, 08:03 AM

Look in Hemmings. There are several people that offer this service.

RKS.PA · 12-10-2019, 09:06 AM

The clock is my '47 wasn't working either, and as Tubman said above, sometimes all that is needed is a good cleaning. Mine is a windup that only runs for 24 hours.

I took it out, cleaned it carefully with WD-40 and then got some clock oil and special applicators from Amazon. Maybe I was lucky, but it works perfectly now.

Even though I don't rely on it, I just wanted it to work properly!!

34pickup · 12-10-2019, 12:42 PM

Will they work on 12volts without a resistor to drop the voltage?

cabrioletgalaxie · 12-10-2019, 01:12 PM

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I am not sure if mine is a windup or electric. It does have a wire going to it but I suppose that is just for the light in it. I did try winding it but it didn't change anything.
Finding a local clock repair guy makes sense. I'll check around to see what I can find.

oldford2 · 12-10-2019, 01:21 PM

The clock in our 46 was not working so I sent it to Jerry Maquire for a repair. 7 years ago. quick turnaround and reasonable. Still going strong. Ours has 2 wires to the clock, one for the light and 1 for the winding mechanism.
Check out his website
www.clockwks.com
And give him a call.
John

tubman · 12-10-2019, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cabrioletgalaxie

I am not sure if mine is a windup or electric. It does have a wire going to it but I suppose that is just for the light in it. I did try winding it but it didn't change anything.
Finding a local clock repair guy makes sense. I'll check around to see what I can find.

Might not be the same, but mine (electric-wind) had two wires going to it. One without a fuse for the light; another with an inline fuse for power.

RKS.PA · 12-10-2019, 02:32 PM

According to the 1941-1948 Ford Book, the electric wound clock was an option at an additional charge beginning in 1946, and the manually wound clock was standard.

tubman · 12-10-2019, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 34pickup

Will they work on 12volts without a resistor to drop the voltage?

Probably; I would imagine that a properly-sized resistor would have to be used. I'm just guessing on this, but if you are interested, I could ask my partner who is an EE and knows about such stuff. We should probably have the rated amperage of the winding mechanism.

34pickup · 12-10-2019, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tubman

Probably; I would imagine that a properly-sized resistor would have to be used. I'm just guessing on this, but if you are interested, I could ask my partner who is an EE and knows about such stuff. We should probably have the rated amperage of the winding mechanism.

I guess I need to check and see if its electric first, I just assumed it was.

cabrioletgalaxie · 12-10-2019, 11:54 PM

Thanks for the Clock Works contact. I just filled out a quote request. I also found the clock to be electric. One wire to the light in the clock, and a second wire to the lower part of the clock, and yet a third wire forked off the power wire. Looks OEM but was just hanging there and un attached to anything. I cannot tell from the wiring diagram what that other "hot" lead wire is for. It is yellow/black. I don't like it hanging loose under the dash. Any thought of what it should attach to?

FortyNiner · 12-11-2019, 05:01 AM

Originally, the clock was on the same circuit as the pillar courtesy lights. This circuit was alays hot. The 'fork' might just be the break in the wire run for those lights.

jetmek · 12-12-2019, 12:50 PM

take the back off and clean the points with an ignition point file that's usually all it takes

51 MERC-CT · 12-12-2019, 03:10 PM

The clock probably could use a cleaning but one of the reasons that these electric impulse wound clocks quit is because of the arc residue on the points that needs to be removed.
It may be worth a try.

51woodie · 12-12-2019, 04:56 PM

51 Merc. That was what was wrong with the clock I my '46 Super Deluxe. It worked after I carefully cleaned the contacts with a point file (old school tool). But I found there was very little pressure on the point when closed, so I bent the arm holding the top contact blade a bit to add some pressure when the points are in contact.

cabrioletgalaxie · 12-12-2019, 08:53 PM

Thanks buys for this info. I will get the clock out and check this out. It usually is something simple.

12-10-2019, 12:37 AM	#1
cabrioletgalaxie Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Maine Posts: 377	1947 clock not working The clock in my '47 is not working. Before I take it out and screw it up I would like some advise as to the safest and best way to start. Or is there a 'clock guy' I should consider sending it too? I have not checked any wiring to it but know that is probably the best place to begin. Suggestions on how to proceed are appreciated. Thanks.

12-10-2019, 07:16 AM	#2
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,299	Re: 1947 clock not working I have an electric-wind clock in my '51 Ford which was not working. I took to a local clock repairman who had fixed my Grandfather clock for me a couple of years previously. He inspected it and found it just needed a good cleaning (which he did for $20). I got it back a couple of days later. That was a couple of years ago and it's still working. The only problem is that I can't get it to keep time closer than about a minute or two a day, but I guess that's just the nature of the beast. I am sure there are people out there you can send it too, but I knew this guy and decided to save time and shipping. After all, a clock is a clock.

12-10-2019, 08:03 AM	#3
fordwife Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 287	Re: 1947 clock not working Look in Hemmings. There are several people that offer this service.

12-10-2019, 09:06 AM	#4
RKS.PA Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Marana, AZ Posts: 1,194	Re: 1947 clock not working The clock is my '47 wasn't working either, and as Tubman said above, sometimes all that is needed is a good cleaning. Mine is a windup that only runs for 24 hours. I took it out, cleaned it carefully with WD-40 and then got some clock oil and special applicators from Amazon. Maybe I was lucky, but it works perfectly now. Even though I don't rely on it, I just wanted it to work properly!!

12-10-2019, 12:42 PM	#5
34pickup Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Huntsville Al Posts: 1,526	Re: 1947 clock not working Will they work on 12volts without a resistor to drop the voltage? __________________ Matt 24:36-41

12-10-2019, 01:12 PM	#6
cabrioletgalaxie Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Maine Posts: 377	Re: 1947 clock not working Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I am not sure if mine is a windup or electric. It does have a wire going to it but I suppose that is just for the light in it. I did try winding it but it didn't change anything. Finding a local clock repair guy makes sense. I'll check around to see what I can find.

12-10-2019, 01:21 PM	#7
oldford2 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: pittsfield, MA Posts: 2,086	Re: 1947 clock not working The clock in our 46 was not working so I sent it to Jerry Maquire for a repair. 7 years ago. quick turnaround and reasonable. Still going strong. Ours has 2 wires to the clock, one for the light and 1 for the winding mechanism. Check out his website www.clockwks.com And give him a call. John Last edited by oldford2; 12-10-2019 at 02:14 PM.

12-10-2019, 02:32 PM	#9
RKS.PA Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Marana, AZ Posts: 1,194	Re: 1947 clock not working According to the 1941-1948 Ford Book, the electric wound clock was an option at an additional charge beginning in 1946, and the manually wound clock was standard.

12-10-2019, 11:54 PM	#12
cabrioletgalaxie Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Maine Posts: 377	Re: 1947 clock not working Thanks for the Clock Works contact. I just filled out a quote request. I also found the clock to be electric. One wire to the light in the clock, and a second wire to the lower part of the clock, and yet a third wire forked off the power wire. Looks OEM but was just hanging there and un attached to anything. I cannot tell from the wiring diagram what that other "hot" lead wire is for. It is yellow/black. I don't like it hanging loose under the dash. Any thought of what it should attach to?

12-11-2019, 05:01 AM	#13
FortyNiner Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: u-rah-rah-Wisconsin Posts: 1,136	Re: 1947 clock not working Originally, the clock was on the same circuit as the pillar courtesy lights. This circuit was alays hot. The 'fork' might just be the break in the wire run for those lights. __________________ 19 and 49 F1 - jes' like Henry II built 1946 Deluxe - as Henry built it

12-12-2019, 12:50 PM	#14
jetmek Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: albany Posts: 465	Re: 1947 clock not working take the back off and clean the points with an ignition point file that's usually all it takes __________________ engine and component overhauls my specialty! Website- www.godevilgarage.com

12-12-2019, 03:10 PM	#15
51 MERC-CT Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: East Hartford, Ct Posts: 5,898	Re: 1947 clock not working The clock probably could use a cleaning but one of the reasons that these electric impulse wound clocks quit is because of the arc residue on the points that needs to be removed. It may be worth a try. __________________ DON'T RECALL DOING SOMETHING FOR MYSELF BASED ON SOMEONE ELSE'S LIKES OR DISLIKES

12-12-2019, 04:56 PM	#16
51woodie Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Chelmsford, ON Canada Posts: 528	Re: 1947 clock not working 51 Merc. That was what was wrong with the clock I my '46 Super Deluxe. It worked after I carefully cleaned the contacts with a point file (old school tool). But I found there was very little pressure on the point when closed, so I bent the arm holding the top contact blade a bit to add some pressure when the points are in contact.

12-12-2019, 08:53 PM	#17
cabrioletgalaxie Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Maine Posts: 377	Re: 1947 clock not working Thanks buys for this info. I will get the clock out and check this out. It usually is something simple.

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