Car radios?

[Deric]

Anyone here ever mess with old tube car radios? My dad has a 55 Chevy with the stock AM radio. Lots of pretty cool reproductions available but he'd rather have the stock one work.

Any suggestions for links for info, schematics, parts, tubes etc?

Thanks

[stelligan]

Might check this old geezer to see if he has any stock
http://www.omaha.com/article/20130707/N ... ey-are-new

[LeeMo]

http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/ra ... index.html
http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/ra ... index.html
I owned a car stereo shop from 1980-2002. A friend/ customer restored a '55 Bel-Aire convertible and brought it to me with a re-furbed radio and a NOS teardrop antenna. The radio was a two piece unit. Controls in the dash and a separate amp (I guess) behind the glovebox. I wound up using one of the original pieces in order to get it to play. So much for "re-furb". This was in 1985-86 and the antenna cost him $70 and the re-furbed radio was something like $300.
I hope that this helps.

LeeMo

Edit: Here is a better list with pdf files
http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/radios/index.htm

[boots]

Don't know much about refurbing/repairing them, but I have scored some great old vintage 6V6's out of old car radios. I can't pass by a junked car anymore without wondering if there are some old tubes in there.

[Deric]

Thanks for the links!

Finally got the damn thing out.....what a pain in the ass.

[Structo]

Was a hammer used in the removal?

[LeeMo]

Besides the two missing octals, what are the symtoms/problems?

LeeMo

[Deric]

Was a hammer used in the removal?

No hammer....thought about it though.

[Deric]

Besides the two missing octals, what are the symtoms/problems?

LeeMo

I pulled the tubes when removing it so they wouldn't get banged up. Haven't had a chance to mess with it since I got it out. When you turn it on there is no output. Can hear the vibrator working. Can hear pieces rattling around inside the rectifier. Looks like a lot of people just open up the can, remove the guts and install diodes and a resistor. Can also get solid state replacements for the vibrator.

Should probably recap it but it has a weird cap-can (20u@25v, 20u@400v, 20u@400v). Haven't looked yet but that may be hard to find....

[Deric]

Still can't find the cap can..... Found a few with similar values but they are WAY too big.

Anyone know where to get an octal socket like this?

http://compare.ebay.com/like/3705176039 ... s&var=sbar#

[martin manning]

Have you looked into fitting some modern caps in the old can? Maybe some radial lead types would work.

The socket is a wafer type. I did a quick search on "7 pin wafer socket" and got a number of hits including Apex Jr.

[Deric]

I've found lots of seven pin but need an octal. Good call on Apex though - I'll shoot Steve an e-mail.

Might try gutting the can and stuffing new caps in.

Thanks!

[Blackburn]

I'm planning on getting some 7 pinners pretty soon from Steve. I've some 6AV6 tubes that could use some new ones in an old microphone amp. Those, and maybe some 6X4 rects for future builds. I'll be getting the phenolic ones. Good hoarding price.

[Deric]

Steve had the octals. .79each They're on the way.

Solid state vibrator replacement is on the way.

Just opened up the oz4 rectifier and pulled the guts out. Going to put in 2 series pairs of uf4007 diodes and a 100r resistor.

Any suggestions on the wattage rating of the 100r resistor?

Still figuring out what to do with the cap can.....

[Deric]

Replaced the rectifier socket. Rebuilt the rectifier and installed the SS vibrator can today. Swapped out all the wax caps....