Vintage Gauges Clock: Worth it or Not?

[Jim Doak]

As I continue fitting the dash, I see that Factory Five simply scored the dash for the clock, making use of the clock optional.

I've seen a couple of threads noting that the clock isn't all that accurate, plus it's a continuous - although small - draw on the battery. So, I'm considering backing the clock opening with some scrap aluminum and forgoing the clock.

So, what do you think: Clock, Yes or No?

[PNWTim]

I like a clock.

[BRRT]

I'm installing a clock. Some have said that the clock power is dropped when the key is moved to the START position, resulting in the clock being off. I'm planning on running the clock power directly off of the battery power busbar.
We will see how it works. If it's not accurate I will have an excuse for why my 1/2 hour drive turned into all day. :-)

[OB6]

I think the clock is pretty useless, but I chose to incorporate it into the dash anyway. It's running directly off the battery buss bar.

20241231_141911.jpg

[Norm B]

I have Classic Instruments gauges and have the clock. It is remarkably accurate. I adjust it twice yearly for the daylight savings time change overs.

Norm

[edwardb]

I’ve had the Vintage Gauges clock in several builds. Always with direct battery power and no issues with accuracy. My main complaint is that while it's backlit the hands aren't lit like the needles of the rest of the Vintage gauges. Very difficult to read in the dark. A decision by Speedhut that to this day I don’t understand. But I like a clock too, so I use it.

[john42]

When I drive the Cobra I loose track of time and don't want any reminders :-)

[Nigel Allen]

I’ve had the Vintage Gauges clock in several builds. Always with direct battery power and no issues with accuracy. My main complaint is that it’s not backlit. A decision by Speedhut that to this day I don’t understand. But I like a clock too, so I use it.

On a side note, for my truck build the standard FFR gauge package is from Autometer and doesn’t come with a clock. I ordered a matching clock from Autometer. It had backlighting. Imagine that.

Technically, it is backlit. However, the hands aren't, which makes it useless at night. I did see what I believe is a Speedhut clock with illuminated hands on this forum recently. Maybe it was an upgrade to the LED version?

To the OP - current draw is negligible, I never had an issue even with the car sitting for a couple of months. Accuracy is also excellent, as long as power is maintained. (A brief interruption to power will cause the clock to advance one minute)

[AC Bill]

You could forgo the clock and instead add a gauge to that spot.

I added an oil temp gauge in addition to the fuel, volt, water temp, and oil pressure gauges.

[OB6]

Technically, it is backlit. However, the hands aren't, which makes it useless at night. I did see what I believe is a Speedhut clock with illuminated hands on this forum recently. Maybe it was an upgrade to the LED version?

To the OP - current draw is negligible, I never had an issue even with the car sitting for a couple of months. Accuracy is also excellent, as long as power is maintained. (A brief interruption to power will cause the clock to advance one minute)

Mine is backlit.

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[edwardb]

Mine is backlit.

20241231_174856.jpg

Technically, it is backlit. However, the hands aren't, which makes it useless at night. I did see what I believe is a Speedhut clock with illuminated hands on this forum recently. Maybe it was an upgrade to the LED version?

To the OP - current draw is negligible, I never had an issue even with the car sitting for a couple of months. Accuracy is also excellent, as long as power is maintained. (A brief interruption to power will cause the clock to advance one minute)

You guys are right. My bad... Backlit but no hands lit like the rest of the Vintage gauges. Result is it's just barely readable in the dark. Plus looks different. I fixed my post.

[OB6]

You guys are right. My bad... Backlit but no hands lit like the rest of the Vintage gauges. Result is it's just barely readable in the dark. Plus looks different. I fixed my post.

Paul, the hands on my clock are definitely lit. I bought the gauge set directly from Speedhut, but I don't know why they would treat the clock they supply FFR any differently. Weird.

[Blitzboy54]

I did not have a clock in my first build. I put one in my second. I ended up putting some battery powered stick on thing. Wanted it integrated this time. Powered it directly from the battery like others here.

[rthomas98]

I have a clock mainly because I have the vinyl dash and didn't have a good way to fill in the dash. It is never set to the correct time as I always disconnect the battery when the car is parked in my garage. I underdash mounted my phone and tend to look to that for the time.

[edwardb]

Paul, the hands on my clock are definitely lit. I bought the gauge set directly from Speedhut, but I don't know why they would treat the clock they supply FFR any differently. Weird.

It's been a few years since my last set. Since they switched from electroluminescent to LED gauge lighting. Maybe it's changed. If so, good.

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Gauge lights on. When off they are white with red needles.

Had custom gauges made up. Left to Right big gauges Speedo & Tack. Small gauges top row Oil pressure, Oil Temperature, Coolant Temperature. Lower row Fuel available, Battery charge.

Have no interest in a clock on the dash.

[OB6]

It's been a few years since my last set. Since they switched from electroluminescent to LED gauge lighting. Maybe it's changed. If so, good.

Ah, maybe that's it. I bet you're right.

[wallace18]

If you go with the clock make sure you get another reset button and harness from Speedhut. It makes resetting time much easier. Why the FFR kit does not come with 2 reset's (1 for speedo,1 for clock) has always confused me why this has never been addressed. I ended up buying several to keep in stock when I was building kits over the years.

https://speedhut.com/gauge-accessori...t-gauges-only/

[egchewy79]

I used the clock for a few reasons. 1) it looks more balanced on the dash having the 5 smaller gauges compared to the 4, and 2) it came with my set and didn’t want to sub it out for another gauge ( oil temp). It’s functional but will end up a bit fast, so yes, get another reset button so you can more easily reset it. Jeff Kleiner pointed out several months ago that the clock will advance a minute every time the car is started, so after a few months, you’ll be 15-20 min fast.
I don’t have illuminated hands on mine and end up using the GPS clock in the main speedo gauge most of the time but do appreciate the aesthetics of the old school clock

[Jeff Kleiner]

...Jeff Kleiner pointed out several months ago that the clock will advance a minute every time the car is started, so after a few months, you’ll be 15-20 min fast...

That's if you have it powered through the ignition switch (because when you go to "start" the switch cuts power to everything on the "run" and "accessory" terminals) but won't be the case if you feed it from constantly hot battery power. Years ago after sending one back to Speedhut and still having the problem with the clock gaining time I did some experimenting and finally learned that every time power is interrupted and restored the clock advances a minute.

Jeff

[Fman]

My clock never worked properly, I ended up pulling it and replacing with oil temp gauge. It is much more useful IMO, I could care less what time it is when driving my car.

[kevin j sullivan]

No - not original.

[MaxVmo]

You could do an oil temp instead? I like the clock.

[gbranham]

Putting a clock in an FFR is like putting clocks in casinos. Hah!

[MB750]

I probably won't be installing my clock. Right now my AEM wideband is in its place, but once I'm done tuning it'll get pulled out. I'm not sure what I'll put there though. Maybe a boost gauge?

Personally, I don't want to know what time it is when I'm driving my Cobra. It's like when I'm on my motorcycle; there's more important stuff to tend to.

[MB750]

If you go with the clock make sure you get another reset button and harness from Speedhut. It makes resetting time much easier. Why the FFR kit does not come with 2 reset's (1 for speedo,1 for clock) has always confused me why this has never been addressed. I ended up buying several to keep in stock when I was building kits over the years.

https://speedhut.com/gauge-accessori...t-gauges-only/

Your kit may have been different from mine, but I got two resets in my gauge pack. Only the one for the clock has a unique connector just for the clock. It's a two-wire white plug, not the 1/8" headphone jack thing.

[ggunter]

I like my clock.

[egchewy79]

Your kit may have been different from mine, but I got two resets in my gauge pack. Only the one for the clock has a unique connector just for the clock. It's a two-wire white plug, not the 1/8" headphone jack thing.

Must be new from speedhut. Original clock and speedo used the same reset button that plugged into a headphone jack receptacle in the back of the gauge.

[Jim Doak]

I probably won't be installing my clock. Right now my AEM wideband is in its place, but once I'm done tuning it'll get pulled out.

I like this idea. Use the AEM gauge for tuning after startup, then replace it with either the clock or an oil temperature gauge.

[vtullomk4]

I sent my clock back to Speedhut. They retrofitted with LED and lighted hands. I love it. Does not keep perfect time, but I adjust every month or so.
IMG_6248.jpg

[egchewy79]

I sent my clock back to Speedhut. They retrofitted with LED and lighted hands. I love it. Does not keep perfect time, but I adjust every month or so.
IMG_6248.jpg

What did they charge to retrofit with lighted hands, if you recall?

[Its Bruce]

My Speedhut GPS speedo can show the time in the LCD screen. I also wear a watch. I also have a cell phone.

[OB6]

My Speedhut GPS speedo can show the time in the LCD screen. I also wear a watch. I also have a cell phone.

But Bruce, what if those aren't correct? You need more clock redundancy.

LOL, that's why I treated mine as a decoration and placed it where only the passenger can see it ...and complain that it's not correct.

[Avalanche325]

Clock or some other gauge, the pattern of 5 gauges (3 up, 2 down) looks right to me.

I have my warning lights in the same pattern (left turn, high beam, rt turn)
(oil press temp, radar)

[Jim Wehr]

I would swap the clock for a boost gauge.

[Avalanche325]

That's if you have it powered through the ignition switch (because when you go to "start" the switch cuts power to everything on the "run" and "accessory" terminals) but won't be the case if you feed it from constantly hot battery power. Years ago after sending one back to Speedhut and still having the problem with the clock gaining time I did some experimenting and finally learned that every time power is interrupted and restored the clock advances a minute.

Jeff

If you drive fast enough, it will even back out.

[vtullomk4]

I think it was $75.

[vtullomk4]

It was not that I wanted a clock, but wanted 4 gages above the speedo. Wanted a balanced look and all to match

IMG_0754.jpeg

[BEAR-AvHistory]

It was not that I wanted a clock, but wanted 4 gages above the speedo. Wanted a balanced look and all to match

IMG_0754.jpeg

There are a number of choices of useful gauges that will match to be used 4 across from vendors Oil Pressure, Oil Temperature, Coolant Temperature, Fuel Level or Volts for example. I run all 5 in the standard 3 over 2 arrangement.