C2 radio volume problem

[Barbara S.]

It seems that I'm at the point in my body off resto process where I'm spending more time with punch list items now than on re-assembly.

Now it's my rebuilt radio from my June, 67 coupe. The volume doesn't work. When I turn on the radio, you can barely hear the stations. The volume control knob turns, but the volume doesn't go up. Any ideas out there?

Thanks as always,
Tony

[Gerard F.]

67 radio- post from below

Tony,

Your radio problem sounds like the main transistor or a mismatched speaker. Do you have the speaker with the little transformer on it.

Some years ago, I put a heavy speaker on mine. It would work for a while with not too much volume, then the transistor would heat up and it would cut out.
Finally blew the main transistor.

I fixed it by changing the transistor and went to a correct speaker (also changed the volume/tone switch), and it now works perfect.

If your rebuilder can't fix it, I have the manual and schematic around here someplace and can pdf it. Radio Shack (online) sells an equivilent to the transistor (off the top DS-501). Email me if you need some help, I've had the thing apart with a soldering gun.

Jerry Fuccillo
#42179

[Barbara S.]

Re: 67 radio- post from below

Hi Jerry. I have the original speaker still in place. I tried installing one of the new speakers from paragon, but it didn't fit since my car is an A/C car. So, I just re-installed the old speaker.

I'm not much on radio electronics, so I'm not sure that looking at the schematics would help me much. Maybe I'll pull the radio and see if it operates with the new speaker though out of the car to see what sound I can get.

Thanks again Jerry.
Tony

[Gerard F.]

Re: 67 radio- post from below

You can bench test them with a battery charger, gypo antenna, but with the correct speaker.

Jerry

[Jack H.]

Re: 67 radio- post from below

Even with an incorrect speaker (no matching transformer on the frame), the volume control will work (marginally)... You'll get weak/tinny sound, but it WILL increase volume in lock-step to the volume control. You DO risk damaging the speaker drive xsistor without a correct speaker though and these puppy dogs are NOT cheap at $25!

Typically, the reason for the volume control not to work is a fractured lead wire between the pot and the main circuit board. Wires to/from the volume/power control route through the air inside the chassis and are unsupported...

[Barbara S.]

Re: 67 radio- post from below

Jack. Could it be the speaker?
Tony

[Gerard F.]

Re: 67 radio

Tony,

Just a thought. Before you pull the radio, why not try to temporarily connect the new speaker to it, just to test if it is the speaker, or the radio. The correct speaker has that little transformer on it. If it doesn't, it is not the right speaker.

Jerry

[Barbara S.]

Re: 67 radio

Jerry. I have the original speaker in the car now. I bought one of the new speakers from Paragon but it didn't fit because of my duct work. The original speaker has one cone; the Paragon replacement has two cones. The two cones are wider than the single cone, so it got crowded by the duct work.

If my problem is my original speaker, can original speakers be rebuilt? The Paragon double cone speakers aren't going to work for me.

Your thoughts?
Tony

[Gerard F.]

Re: 67 radio

Tony,

I wouldn't use that double cone speaker, I think it will fry your radio transistor. The 67 radios need the speaker with the transformer. (also true for 65-66 which is the same radio, not sure of 63-64).

I think Corvette Central has original type repro speakers with the transformer, I forget what the ohms rating is, maybe Jack will chime in. But the speaker was matched to the low output of the radio. No comparison to modern radios and speakers. I think there was a Restorer article on the speakers about 2 years ago.

I think there are some outfits that re-cone and restore originals but it is probably not worth it when you can get a new correct one for $30-$40 or maybe less.

Jerry Fuccillo
#42179

[Gerard F.]

Take a look at this thread

https://www.ncrs.org/forum/archive24.cgi?review=206723

[Barbara S.]

Re: Take a look at this thread

Thanks again Jerry. I'm going to bench test the radio and see if it's the radio or the speaker. I'll follow the trail from there.

It's always something, isn't it?
Tony

[Page C.]

Re: Take a look at this thread

Hi Tony,
I had Zeke Seckman recone my 1966 speaker. I was the low profile air cond. type like yours.
Canal Fulton Vintage Radio
116 N Canal St.
Canal Fulton, Ohio 44614
330-854-1859 (phone & fax)