My Smith's clock was losing time so I thought I'd remove it and lubricate it, as I'd successfully done with
the VDO clock on my old '72.

Took it out and hooked it up to a 12V battery I had laying around and it wouldn't run at all. These clocks have a balance wheel that is affected by some sort of magnetic element which must alternately attract/repel. So i figured the things must have finally died.

So I went to the junk yard looking for an analog clock so I could switch out the guts. It isn't a U-Pull facility, but the guy was sympathetic and let my drive my 4WD "up to the top, where all the old stuff is. But get back here by noon because we lock the place up." (and I guess, release the hounds from hell). So I drove up to the top of the small mountain on which the yard was located and started my search. Must have looked at 100 vehicles. Seems my optimism at finding such an item had been greatly exaggerated. Finally spotted four school buses under a bunch of trees. The back doors were open and small stairs had been provided for access. Surely a school bus would have a clock. Went in the first on. Spooky. Now seats. Floor was covered with leaves. Started to think what a great place this would be to get snake-bit. Got to the front. No clock. Made my way out and was walking away when I thought, maybe I should check one more. Went into the second bus. It had a lot more debris and I was really looking down where I was walking. No clock, Headed for the exit, eyes glued to the floor. BAM! Next thing I knew I was on the floor, seeing stars. Seems those rear exits are child size. Was think to myself, "Great. What if I'd knocked myself out and was lying here when they locked up, They'd never have found me...but the snakes would have." So I staggered out, found my 4WD and decided to pack it in before I really did something stupid. It was only 25 minutes to closing time. Almost down I spotted an old chevy..so badly rusted I couldn't tell it's vintage. I hopped out and, sure enough, there was a clock in the middle of the dash. Quartz, even. It was a Chevy Caprice, no idea what year. I grabbed my tools and managed to squeeze into the passenger seat...all the while trying to put out of my mind the thought that the last person who sat in that seat might have been killed...Fighting the clock, both the one in the dash and the one ticking against my departure, I got that puppy out and made it to the office just in time. $5.00. I was happy. But would it work?

Took it home, still nursing the abrasion on the top of my bald head, and hooked it up to my battery. Nothing. I was crestfallen. Then it occurred to me that, maybe, that batter was showing 12V on my Smith's clock, it worked too.

So, to make a long story just a bit longer, put a little whale oil (my sister is a clockmaker and told me that's the best stuff..if you can get it) on the balance wheel pivots, and hooked it up for a two day test. Seems now to be keeping perfect time. What I'd like to do is get another Smith's or VDO clock...one that actually is kaput...and try my gut-exchange experiment. Long as it has a good bezel and face. Anybody got one?