Expert: Martin Meyer - 1/5/2008

Question
I have an Emperor Grandfather clock that has worked well for nearly 30 years.  It has a 199M movement in it with Whittington, St. Michaels, and Westminster Chimes.  I changed the chimes from Westminster to Whittington on New Year's Eve at a time when the clock was not chiming.  For the first time the quarter hour chimes acted up, playing most of the notes except the last one or two which it will play at the next quarter hour and skip the last one or two notes of that sequence.  How can this be corrected.

Thanks.

Answer
Hi Ed,
    The age of your clock's movement is well past its expected lifespan. It's possible that the movement is worn out, and you would need to have it replaced with a new movement.
    If the chimes are striking at full speed and do not sound sluggish, it is possible that the chime pinwheel has just gotten out of adjustment. This is a very delicate adjustment, and I do not recommend that you try it yourself.
    However, if you want to try it anyway, look at the back of the movement. You will see the large pinwheel (cylinder with pins on it like in a music box), and next to it a large gear which engages the pinion on the pinwheel. This gear has a set screw on it.
    After the clock chimes a quarter, loosen the set screw on the gear. Gently hold the chime gears inside movement, so that they do not move at all. These gears will be inside the movement on the left if you are looking at the clock from the back. Then turn the large gear on its shaft VERY SLIGHTLY until the last two notes of the chime sequence complete. On most clocks, you will be turning the gear counterclockwise. Then hold the gear in that exact position and retighten the set screw.
    It may take several attempts before you get the chime sequence to complete on its own. If you get confused about where you are in the chime sequence, note that the clock should chime 4 notes (Westminster) or 8 notes (Whitt. & St. Michael) IN DESCENDING ORDER on the first quarter.
    Once again, I'm providing this information in case you want to "live dangerously", but do not recommend it. It is a very delicate adjustment.