Clock rebuild 308QV

I can't seem to find the old thread on this. Someone was out there doing a great job of refurbishing the clocks and modifying them to prevent future hazing on the crystal. Who was that? Or am I dreaming?!

 

Radiopilot was the technician, I believe.

 

Thanks Matt. I hope he is still doing his magic with these clocks, mine is in need of some TLC.

 

Mine needs a refurb too. Post any update please!

 

Mine works but the post for setting the time is loose and doesn't do anything - anybody know if this is an easy fix or something complicated?

 

You're welcome. There is a gear on that adjustment post, I'd leave it to someone familiar with the clock. Mine keeps time perfectly, but no second hand movement. I'm going to send him mine at some point, assuming that he's still doing the repairs.

 

Mine works fine and the glass is crystal clear but the hour hand is slightly off. Drives me crazy

 

Radiopilot is the man. He refurbed my 308 clock and I swear it looks like it just came from the factory. Unreal quality and it runs like, well, a clock

MB

 

I tried several times to contact Radiopilot, but never got a response. I ended up using Palo Alto Speedo. They did a great job, but it wasn't cheap.

 

Radiopilot is out of the country for a very extended leave (years) and cannot service clocks at present. Palo Alto I found to be arrogant and expensive. North Hollywood Speedometer does excellent work, is more reasonable, and does not give you attitude.

 

If you just need a clock face redone. Crowndog here on FChat makes replacement lenses. You just have to remove the cheap plastic hazy one and replace it with the new glass face. It is very reasonable at around $25.

 

+1

 

Hello, I myself have repaired the watch crystal (plastic). You need a plastic methacrylate, and you must cut as with a laser (I do not remember the steps). In addition, I have placed a plastic tube to isolate the air intake hole.
you look at the results:
- Image 1: Plastic comparison between old and new
- Image 2: result
- Image 3: disassembled clock

It's easy to perform
Now is totally transparent!!!!!!
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Hey Rob, do you think they could refurb the clock from my 49 Caddy or do they only speak Italian?
MB

 

NH Speedo does all kinds of instruments so you would be ok to call them. I know Jay Leno uses them for some of his cars.

 

I sent mine to palo alto speedo and the fix was fantastic getting it out of the GT4 was very difficult. i think a reg 308 is easier. On the gt4 the side panels have to come of IIRC and make sure you have a helper.

Good Luck

Rob

http://www.paspeedo.com

 

I spoke to the peeps at Palo Alto.
They are pleasant.
They are expensive.

Went to North Hollywood Speedo - since it's local - and they were equally as pleasant and 1/3 of the price.

Something to note--
When new, the chrome bezels are without the 'lip' that you have to, somehow, SQUEEEEEZE over the black bezel to lock everything in place.
You have to fold down the chrome bezel over the plastic housing.
(see my crude drawing)

The tech at NoHo Speedo said I was lucky I did not crack the bezel/gauge housing.
They have plenty of fresh bezels avail so, if you guys take these things apart, just replace the bezel (didn't ask the cost of a new one. will update when I pick up my clock.)

Cheers.
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Great info - looking forward to more. I just swapped in a new crystal on mine and then realized I couldn't set the time! Now I need to have the clock fixed.

I wonder if you could ask them what tools they use to remove and put the bezels on? I'd love to know...

 

Well--
I dropped off my clock today (Wednesday).
They told me it would be done Monday.
They called me this afternoon and said it was ready.

I'm taking my other gauges in, tomorrow, to have the glass swapped: I don't trust this gorilla's grip with delicate, brittle plastic.
I will watch them swap the other bits and report back.

...


Sent from my iPhone
(which means I am probably sitting by the car, confused.)

 

I need to have my 84 QV clock done, the plastic is clouded and the reset knob spins but does nothing otherwise. The clock runs, but obviously is always the wrong time

I got a reply from RadioPilot letting me know about him being out of the country for an extended period, so I started looking around town for another option.

I just found out about an instrument shop here in Houston, Austin Radio, who have a good name in the restoration world for high end speedo and other instrument restoration. I'm going to take my clock over there and see what they say.

I'll report back if this place is a winner.

Paul

 

QUICK UPDATE:

Picked up my clock.
I can now adjust the time.
Clock was operational when I took it to North Hollywood Speedometer, just needed to have the adjustment stalk function again.

The tech at NoHo Speedo - Joe - was surprised to see my clock still functioning.
He was more surprised to see the housing in tact and not ripped to shreds from people hacking away at it (more on this in a minute).

Cost for clock repair: $75

My chrome bezel, around the clock, was 'ripped to shreds from someone hacking away at it' and needed to be replaced. It was offensive enough to justify the price tag attached to it. (see pic)
The pics of a bezel, alone, are the OEM bezel.
The one on the clock is the replacement.

Cost for new bezel: $75

At first, I thought they were recouping on the reasonable price for the clock repair with the bezel, but that convo didn't happen until after he quoted me $75.

The new bezel appears to be OEM.
From the front view (the only one that counts) it's a match.
The rear view is a little different. (see pics)
I am not sure if the folded edge on the new bezel is not perfect cause they don't have the tools to get it looking like it came off the assembly line or there is no reason to EFF with 40 year old plastic more than you have to.
The new bezel holds everything in place like the OEM one.

I bought the replacement glass from Crowndog for all the gauges.
I swapped the clock: fits and looks great.
I swapped one gauge only cause, on the GT4, the gauges are glass.
I was not charged for the one gauge glass swap cause it was glass-for-glass and I am sure they felt ridiculous doing it.
I will bring my other gauges in to swap out all the glass for the newer glass cause, upon closer inspection, there is a difference in clarity from 40 year old glass and new glass.
Also, I just don't trust myself to put that bezel back on.

Cost to dismantel, swap glass, reassemble: $35 per.

Everything is great.
I am super stoked on the fix.
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Hey AlbertSam......Could tell me the trick to get old face off? I have a new plastic face but cannot seem to figure out the removal of old one as either the bezel holding it in is too tight....or im doing something wrong? Do I turn Counter Clockwise...I assume I am but not turning...?

 

I am pretty sure it is rolled over the edge and a special tool is required to remove and replace.

 

The bezel isn't threaded; It pops off. This does require the most delicate treatment, as does the reinstallation. I believe I started at the notch, and gradually worked my way around.

 

Complete description of ring removal is in a previous thread of mine but I’ll be darned if I know how to find it.