Original Radio ?

[CAPNZ]

My 73 has a bunch of options but not the stereo radio.
It's the original 73 radio but only the right speaker works.
Is this because it's not the stereo model or should I make this my next project?

TIA
"Jeff"

 

[srs244]

i believe that the "standard" radio was just a regular AM radio and the options available included and AM/FM monoral radio, and AM/FM stereo radio, then the ever popular AM/FM stereo/8 track among others

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

There was no standard radio for 1973, all were optional. You could choose RPO U58 which was AM/FM stereo at $276 or U69 which was AM/FM monoral at $173. There was no AM only radio and no 8 track, cassette, CD, DVD or MP3 players :L

Both options had two dash mounted speakers, both speakers should work at all times.

 

[81kix]

My 81 has, the original radio am fm 8-track, but when I put an eight track in, it will not play. I think it is dried out, does that make sence?

 

[lnirenberg]

My 81 has, the original radio am fm 8-track, but when I put an eight track in, it will not play. I think it is dried out, does that make sence?

None of this makes sense because the real question is where did you get an 8 track tape? I assumed all the old Vanilla Fudge 8s were consigned to the scrap heap of history.

 

[pgtr]

To add to VH Mikey's post - by '73 most all came with one radio or another - but yes it was optional either way. The balance know can be turned to move sound to one or the other.

If you have an original radio and speakers, odds are the speaker is bad and the other is not far behind. Easy enough to test but the hard part is pulling hte radio (and speakers). If as I suspect, bad speaker and you want to stay original - Replace w/ new GM premium 10ohm speakers available thru dealers etc. Do NOT use aftermarket 4ohm speakers with an original radio.

---

I think it makes perfect sense that it's not functioning - a functioning 8track player these days is the real anomaly. I would think only an originality purist would want a functioning 8track and have a library of ancient tapes to insert. At any rate there's plenty of mechanical things to wear out or break in those things and from what Iv'e heard most don't work anymore. There's a few places that will service these things that you could send it out too. Not cheap. If you are adventurous - might look and see if any rubber belts have worn out and could be replaced or somehting simple and obvious like that. Good luck but I think I'd be happy w/ good functioning FM Stereo function and not lose sleep over an 8track player or look into something like a CD or MP3 FM adapter or something...

 

[81kix]

Well, thanks for your help, I will check the rubber belts.
The name of the 8-Track is, Match Box Willy.:W
My Mom had a lot of 8-Tracks, her Brother took them, I got only one.
Trust me my other juck of a car does have a CD player.
I just thought it would be cool to play an 8-track in the Vet.
Janine

 

[srs244]

janine

more than likely the "drive" belt has dried up and either lost it's elasticity or is completly gone. (assuming the motor still turns). one of the old time "shade tree" type fixes we used to employ at the time (way back in the dark ages when 8 track was state of the art, lol) was to use a thick rubberband as the drive belt. it held up pretty well (although it was only a shortcut fix) and with today's synthetic "rubber" bands, it might even hold up better.

here's todays trivia question.......what year did the 8 track debut in american automobiles (either as a hang under the dash unit or in dash)???


if you guessed 1965 your right on it.

steve

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

To add to VH Mikey's post - by '73 most all came with one radio or another - but yes it was optional either way. The balance know (knob) can be turned to move sound to one or the other.

The AM/FM mono radio has no balance knob, just a blanking 'plate'.

 

[pgtr]

Thanks - Doh! I meant to write 'stereo' in parens

 

[81kix]

Thanks Steve,
I am going to figure this out somehow, I would really like to hear my 8-track play.
I had thought about taking the old unit out and speakers, but that would take the beauty away from the Vett.
I just might try the rubber band thing.
By the way I knew the answer 1965, only because I was reading up this morning on how to repair the tape player and it was on one of the sites.
Thanks again,

Janine:W

 

[CAPNZ]

Thanks,
I have the AM/FM radio in my 73 but not AM/FM/stereo.
The balance knob works but, when I turn it all the way the right speaker goes off and
the left doesn't come on.
TIA
CAPNZ

 

[pgtr]

If it's a mono radio it will not have a functioning balance knob - only a tone knob under the volume/on/off knob. The balance knob under the tuning knob will only work with stereo radio units not the mono units. (73 stereos have a 'light' that indicates stereo reception when tuned to an FM stereo signal)

A) Is it possible you have a stereo and the indicator bulb is blown out? If you pull the unit the bulb can be easily checked and I can also check the part#s for you. Also it would have a dual transister heat sink (convector, adapter...) behind the dash on the stereo models.

B) I'm relatively sure if we are talking about original stereo and speakers that the speakers, or I should say one, has failed.

Look closley at the front and see if there is an indicator lamp for stereo hidden in there. Regardless I think you'll likely have to pull the unit to diagnose further.

 

[CAPNZ]

OK, maybe it's my fault or GM's fault because in the Original Owners Manual
the picture of the radio says "Stereo" to the right of the FM label. Mine has a round light that goes on when I tune in an FM station. I took it for granted that it should say stereo. So, rip out the dash I guess. (Won't be the first time, did it years ago on my 68 427/435. Man, this car is almost mint I hate to do it but, will the judges catch it?

Thanks
"Jeff"

 

[pgtr]

Stereos up until about '71 or so had a "Stereo" script instead of the small light. Dollars to donuts says the speaker is bad - you'll have to pull out the left and right side dash but not the console to replace. Go with the 'premium' Delco speakers vs the 'standard' Delco speaker - both are still avail in 10 ohms from GM.

 

[CAPNZ]

GREAT!!!
I had to take out the right panel to change the door ajar bulb yesterday so while I was at it I pulled the speaker connector off the right and plugged it into the left.
NUTTIN!
Bad speaker. Thanks for telling me where to get one. That was my next question.
How much? Think I should buy a pair?
TIA
"Jeff"

 

[pgtr]

I strongly recommend a pair - the new ones will sound much better. I'll go out in the GA later and get you a GM part# for the 'premium' versions.

 

[pgtr]

C3 premium GM replacement speakers part# 16033662 - you'll need 2 of them. Should provide notably better sound quality than the originals (even when they used to work).

Good luck

 

[CAPNZ]

Thanks Guy!

"Jeff"