Clock won't work!!!


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By Tough55 - 16 Years Ago
I wound my clock too tight and now it doesn't run.  Took it out and shook it and it would tick...tick...tick a few times and than stop. Any suggestions how to get this clock working again?

After I get it fixed, how many times do I wind it for it to run 12-24 hours?

Thanks~~~~~~~~RonCool

By 55Birdman - 16 Years Ago
I had my clock converted to electric. But I usually wound it about 7-8 times and stopped. Next time I went by my car or drove some place I would wind it a few times again. You can usually feel the spring getting tighter thru the winder. I would say when you feel that you need to stop. As far as getting it working again I used to shake it gently and let it tick then stop. I would do it again and again . As it ticks it begins to unwind and eventually it will start on its own when the tension releases from the main spring . Or take it to a clock repairer . Not much help probably but thats what I did. Good luck 
By Ted - 16 Years Ago

As an FYI, both windup and electric clocks were available in the ’55 Fords but don’t know the nuances as to which cars got which but will suspect it was simply a supply issue.  For the windup clocks, I’ve taken them apart in the past and manually released the tension on the spring when they were overtightened.  But with Grandkids around now, I just don’t have a working windup clock in my ’55 Customline as it stays overtightened.

By Tough55 - 16 Years Ago
Ted (3/2/2009)

As an FYI, both windup and electric clocks were available in the ’55 Fords but don’t know the nuances as to which cars got which but will suspect it was simply a supply issue.  For the windup clocks, I’ve taken them apart in the past and manually released the tension on the spring when they were overtightened.  But with Grandkids around now, I just don’t have a working windup clock in my ’55 Customline as it stays overtightened.

 

Took it apart and pulled little ratchet lever up on gear and the spring unwound completely. Now.....I just wind...wind....wind and nothing happens.  Thanks for the response~~~~~~~~~RonCool

By bergmanj - 16 Years Ago
Tough55

For your (and everyone else's information): When releasing tightly-wound clock mainsprings, you must carefully pull-up on the gear pawl(s) while holding back on the main spring,  then gently release the spring a little at a time (be very careful of your fingers - it can take a fingertip right off); if you let it go all at once, the main spring attachment at the center will likely 'let-loose' of its connection from the momentum of the spring unwinding.  That will cause the winding symptoms which you now describe.

Sometimes it will actually break the center spring-end right off from the sudden tension release and consequent sudden reverse movement - it can be a very severe shock to the clockworks!

If broken, it needs a new spring; if disconnected, take it to a repairer anyway, unless you are VERY good at clock repair.

Don't ask me how I know this!!

Thanks,   JLB