Rich's discussion on the clock reminded me of this finding from many years ago. My 1971 Corvette if left to sit for longer periods of time, would often experience a dead battery. After some research I found that it was the self-winding clock that was causing the battery to go dead(and once completely dead,,,,they never return to normal). What occurs is that a electrical impulse is periodically sent to a motor in the clock to wind the spring power source that moves the hands. If this motor should hang up for any reason,,,,which old ones will do, it basically sets up an almost "short" situation where the winding motor is stuck and the electrical impulse just keeps beating against this stuck motor,,,thereby running down the battery. Every since this finding, I always disconnect the battery's ground cable for all of my old cars when they are parked for longer periods of time,,,,say one week or more. Not only have I never been welcomed to another dead battery,,,,but in conjunction with my Battery Tender chargers,,,,now replaced with Save-A-Battery charger, my batteries now last for many more years than before. The current battery in our 71 Vette is well over 8 years old (JC Penny lifetime warranty) and the one in our 300 B,,,a Bob Jasinksi tar top special is gong into likely 12 years or more. Also have an Optima in another old car,,,,always disconnect this battery too,,,,you don't want to buy many of these at over 200 bucks a copy Also this habit may save your car or home from a burn down someday. Roger Schaaf 300 B Calyfornua ----- Original Message ----- From: Rich Barber To: 'Bob Ryan' ; Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Tuesday, December 20, 2011 3:44 PM Subject: RE: [Chrysler300] Re: 1955 300 There were two basic radios available on the 1955 C-300. The standard radio "Music Master" (?) with push buttons and a deluxe "Town & Country" radio that had a bar on the front that when touched, advanced the dial to the next readable station. Each radio could drive an optional rear-seat speaker. The T&C Touch-Tone radio could be equipped with a foot-operated switch to change the stations. I had my T&C radio gone through at a specialty shop in Sacramento-Ray's Auto Stereo-1925 F St Sacramento, CA 95811-1718 (916) 447-9753. They have an old-timer in there that has been working on these old tube-type radios forever. He replaced the old wax capacitors and polished the faceplate and buttons. They can convert the old radio to a new AM-FM Stereo/Sirius/Ipad whatever if you wish. Numerous shops advertise this service in Hemmings Motor News. I was able to repair my own electric clock by careful lubing of pivot points and filing the contact points in the solenoid-powered winder for the mechanical mechanism. I used a 6-volt lantern battery to power the unit while working on it at my desk. The clock speed is adjusted by every action of the knob to move the hands. Moving the hands forward speeds up the mechanism and vice-versa. There is a small fuse in the line from the power supply in the dash. A separate wire connects to the light bulbs and is dimmed with the rest of the dash lights. Again, numerous shops will do this work for you as advertised in HMN. A watch repair or grandfather clock repair shop can clean and tune up the clock part if the automatic winder is working OK. Rich Barber Brentwood, CA From: Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Bob Ryan Sent: Tuesday, December 20, 2011 6:56 AM To: Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [Chrysler300] Re: 1955 300 One more question to the group...the radio and clock are inoperative. I understand there were several radios available from the factory....I am not familiar with them, so can anyone recommend a source for repairs and a tip on what I have? Thanks again.. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ To send a message to this group, send an email to: Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to bob@xxxxxxxxxxxxx or go to http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/Chrysler300/join and select the "Leave Group" button For list server instructions, go to http://www.chrysler300club.com/yahoolist/inst.htm For archives go to http://www.forwardlook.net/300-archive/search.htm#querylangYahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Chrysler300/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Chrysler300/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: Chrysler300-digest@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Chrysler300-fullfeatured@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: Chrysler300-unsubscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/