'66 radio & speaker removal; tips please

[Gary B.]

My project this weekend is to remove the radio and speaker from my '66 and send them out for restoration. I thought I had every book for '66, but I don't seem to have one that talks about how to remove the radio and speaker. Is there a GM service manual that deals with this topic? I can't find any mention in my 1966 GM Chassis Service Manual or in my 1966 GM Chassis Overhaul Manual. Am I overlooking the obvious?

Can anyone give me some tips? Which side is best to work from, drivers or passengers? Any things to be cautious of? I've already got the seat out of the car and the radio side panels are out as well, but that's about it.

Thanks,

Gary Beaupre

[Douglas L.]

Re: '66 radio & speaker removal; tips please

Gary,

This is the process I have used in the past:

* Remove the glove box
* Remove the console side panels from both sides.
* Remove the "Y" duct from the heater box.
* Unplug the speaker wire, power connector, and the antenna from the radio.
* Remove the radio knobs from from the front of the radio.
* Remove the radio securing bolt that secures the radio inside the console area.
* Remove the dials from the radio and then the securing bolts from the front of the radio knob shafts.
* I like to remove the console cover to keep from any possible damage.
* Place a cloth under the body of the radio and covering the console area.
* On a 66, you might want to remove the emergency brake mouting and tie it over to the side.
* The radio comes out the driver's side - push the radio back a bit and rotate the bottom toward the front of the car and then to the driver's side. It can be tricky.
* On the speaker, disconnect the speaker wires.
* Remove the speaker nuts holding it in place.
* Remove the heater duct that mounts up to the speaker.
* And this is where it can get tricky. The factory used a light glue to hold the cloth covering over the speaker. Sometimes, that glue sticks the speaker to the dash. If it sticks and you pull hard, you will tear the covering from the top of the speaker which is not good. So take it real slow and use like a thin card to slide between the speaker and the dash to slowly free the speaker. If is isn't stuck and frees up without a struggle, you are lucky.
* The speaker comes out the passenger side.

Hope I didn't forget anything - haven't done one in a while.

Good Luck

[Stephen L.]

Re: '66 radio & speaker removal; tips please

The radio will come out the passenger side after some twisting/tilting...
It hangs from the knobs and a bracket at the bottom.

The speaker is tough. You need to remove the heater air deflector. There are 4 bolts holding the speaker in place. After positioning your body in an unbelieveable position you just need to remove the nuts and drop the speaker out from under the dash. The heater cables might be in the way too.

[Edward V.]

Re: '66 radio & speaker removal; tips please

I might add. If you have Air Conditioning you may need to remove the glove box, steering column, instrument panel and A/C ducts. I did. Have fun!! Ed

[Tim E.]

Re: '66 radio & speaker removal; tips please

Gary - Also don't forget to ensure that the stainless steel trim that installs on the console opening is in place. Small tabs secure it from the back. You guessed it...I forgot to re-install it and had to go through the process a second time! Tim

[Gary B.]

Thanks Guys! *NM*

[Gary B.]

Radio & speaker are out, but what a chore

Guys,

If someone can remove a radio from a '66 without removing the inner heater box, then they are a better man than me. I needed to replace the heater core, so it wasn't wasted effort.

Thanks again for the tips.

Gary