1955 Buick Instruments and Clock

1955 Buick Clock Time Reset and Regulator Knobs

The regulator knob is located under the reset knob which extends through the glass. The regulator knob has a small notch on the edge in which a thin key or similar tool may be used to turn knob. The knob extends through the glass and has a small pointer on the inner end to align with graduations on the numeral ring of clock. See figure 10-72.

If 1955 Buick clock loses time the regulator pointer should be moved toward “F”; if clock gains time pointer should be moved toward “S.” One division on the regulator scale is equivalent to approximately 6 minutes per day. More accurate regulation can be obtained by moving the pointer only a fraction of one division at a time and noting the results after clock has run at least 24 hours.

Winding 1955 Buick Clock When Connecting Clock Wiring or Battery

The 1955 Buick electric clock requires special attention when reconnecting a battery that has been disconnected for any reason, a clock that has been disconnected, or when replacing a blown clock fuse. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT THE INITIAL WIND BE FULLY MADE. To be certain of this, reconnect battery cables as follows:

1. Make sure that all other 1955 Buick instruments and lights are off.
2. Connect one cable (preferable positive) to battery.
3. Before connecting the last cable to battery, press the terminal to its post on battery. Immediately afterward strike the terminal against battery post to see if there is a spark. If there is, allow the clock to run down until it stops ticking, and repeat as above until there is no spark. Then immediately make the permanent connection before the clock can again run down. The clock will run down in approximately 2 minutes.
4. Reset clock after all connections are made. NOTE: The above procedure should also be followed when reconnecting the clock after it has been disconnected, or if it has stopped because of a blown fuse. Be sure to disconnect battery cable before installing a new fuse.

1955 Buick Clock Service

The 1955 Buick clock manufacturers have established Authorized Service Stations in many cities throughout the United States and Canada. These service stations are prepared to carry out terms of the manufacturer’s warranty and also to perform any repairs made necessary through use of clock.

When a 1955 Buick clock requires warranty service or repairs other than regulation, it should be removed by the Buick dealer and sent to the nearest authorized service station. The manufacturer’s warranty is void if repairs have been attempted outside of an authorized service station.

10-57 1955 BUICK GASOLINE GAUGE – DASH AND TANK UNITS

The AC gasoline gauge consists of two units; the dash unit located in the 1955 Buick instrument cluster, and the tank unit located in the gasoline tank. One terminal of the dash unit is connected to the ignition switch so that the unit registers only when the ignition switch is turned on. The other terminal of the dash unit is connected by a single wire to the tank unit, which is grounded on the tank to complete the circuit.

The 1955 Buick dash unit pointer is moved by changing the magnetic pull of two coils in the unit. The magnetic pull is controlled by action of the tank unit which contains a variable rheostat, the value of which varies with movement of a float and arm. The tank unit is mounted in the tank so that the float rises and falls on the surface of the gasoline near the middle of the tank. The float is adjusted to provide approximately 1 gallon reserve when the dash unit pointer is at the dot next to the “E” position.

If the 1955 Buick gasoline gauge does not operate properly, the dash unit, tank unit wiring, and tank unit should be separately tested to determine which is at fault. The units and wiring may be tested with AC Gas Gauge Tester, Type No. 1, available through AC distributors.

If this tester is not available, a similar tester may be made from a new gasoline gauge tank unit. Attach a 5-foot piece of red colored insulated wire (#16) to binding post of tank unit, and attach a similar piece of black wire to the flange of unit. Attach spring clips to the free ends of both wires.

Test of Dash Unit

1. With ignition switch turned off, disconnect the brown tank wire from dash unit terminal. Connect the red tester wire to this terminal and connect black tester wire to any convenient ground on car. Make sure that the other wire attached to dash unit has a tight connection.
2. Turn ignition switch on, then move tester arm up and down against the stops. If dash unit is okay, the pointer will move freely from “Empty” to “Full” with movement of tester arm, indicating that the trouble is in wiring or tank unit. If pointer does not move, or only moves part way, the dash unit is faulty and should be replaced.
3. Turn ignition switch off. If dash unit is okay, reconnect wire to terminal stud, being careful that the terminal of this wire does not come in contact with the other dash unit terminal, which would result in damage to tank unit rheostat.

Test of Tank Unit Wiring

1. With ignition switch turned off, disconnect tank unit wire (brown) at connector in luggage compartment. Connect the red tester wire to the wire running to dash unit and ground the black tester wire on car.
2. Turn ignition switch on, then move tester arm up and down against stops while dash unit is being observed. If wiring is okay, dash unit pointer will move freely from “Empty” to “Full” with movement of tester arm, indicating that the trouble is in tank unit or the short wire leading to it.
3. If, on the test, dash unit reads “Empty” at all times or the reading is noticeably lower than during the test of dash unit, look for a ground in the wiring between dash unit and bayonet connector. If dash unit reads above “Full” at all times or if it reads higher at “Empty” and “Full’ than readings obtained on dash unit test, look for points of high resistance such as dirty connections, broken wire strands, or open circuit.

Test of Tank Unit

1. If tests given above indicate that the trouble is in the tank unit, remove the gasoline tank so that the tank unit may be cleaned and tested.
2. Before removing unit from gasoline tank clean away all dirt that has collected around the tank unit, and note whether the insulation was in proper position over the terminal and wire. Road dirt, particularly calcium chloride, may have caused an electrical leak that threw the tank unit out of calibration.
3. After thorough cleaning and removal of tank unit, connect it to ground and to wire leading to dash unit, and test in the same manner as when using tester. If tank unit tests okay it should be reinstalled in tank, otherwise it should be replaced with a new unit. When installing tank unit make certain that insulation is folded over the terminal and snapped over wire.

10-58 1955 BUICK SPEEDOMETER

1955 Buick Speedometer Heads

The AC speedometer head has a magnetic speed indicator and a gear driven odometer. It is driven by a flexible cable connected to worm gears in the transmission rear bearing retainer. See paragraph 4-7 for gear ratios.

The 1955 Buick Series 40 standard speedometer head has a pointer type speed indicator. The Series 60 (and optional Series 40) head has a disk with red band which shows a red arc as the .disk rotates. The 1955 Buick Series 50-70 head has a long drum painted half red and half black on the diagonal, so that as the drum revolves a red line moves horizontally across the dial face. See figure 10-73.

1955 Buick Drum Type Speedometer

All 1955 Buick speedometer heads except Series 40 are provided with a trip odometer and reset knob. Pushing the reset knob up and turning clockwise gives a quick reset; turning knob counterclockwise resets 1/10 mile at a time.

Checking Noisy 1955 Buick Speedometer

1. Jack up rear wheels in safe manner and close car windows to exclude outside noises.
2. With transmission in direct drive, run slowly from 0 to 50 MPH and back to 0, noting speed range where noise appears.
3. Apply brakes and shift transmission to neutral or parking position, then run engine through same speed range as before.
4. If the noise continued in step 3, something other than the speedometer installation is at fault. If noise disappeared, inspect and lubricate speedometer cable (subpar. c). If this does not correct the noise, have 1955 Buick speedometer head checked by an authorized AC Speedometer service station.

Inspection and Lubrication of 1955 Buick Speedometer Cable

If the 1955 Buick speedometer installation appears to be noisy or the speed indicator wavers, inspect the cable casing for damage, sharp bends, or for being out of the supporting clips. If casing is in good condition and properly installed, remove cable for inspection and lubrication.

1. Disconnect 1955 Buick speedometer cable casing at the speedometer head, then pull cable out of upper end of casing.
2. Inspect cable for worn spots or breaks. Check cable for kinks by holding one end vertically in each hand and turning cable slowly; if cable is kinked the loop will “flop.” Replace a kinked cable.
3. Coat the lower two thirds of the cable with AC type ST-640 speedometer cable lubricant. If this is not available, No. 110 Lubriplate may be used. As cable is inserted into casing from upper end the lubricant will spread over its entire length.
4. When cable is connected to 1955 Buick speedometer head make sure that the felt dampener washer is in place over the cable collar and that the cable tip seats properly in the head socket.