Anyone have luck with a radio upgrade?

[Gary R.]

I might have mentioned it before but I made the mistake a few years ago of shipping my original 72 radio to a guy in FL to gut it and install a new board so I could get good sound. Well it came back and didn't work, so I shipped it back. It came back and worked for a month or two and died again. Also had crazy glue smeared on the lens so it went back again and same result. Since I don't drive it much anymore I just left it off. Last Fall after I resolved the oil usage issue I drove the car about 1000 miles. Once in awhile I would try the radio and playing around with the volume knob it would sometimes work but sound terrible. I was told there were some issues with the new boards used and plan to take it out again once I get some time.So has anyone had good luck with a C2 or C3 radio upgrade? I'm kicking myself because my son sold his 75's last year at Carlisle and it was near mint and sure worked better then this $400 upgrade.ThanksGary

[Ken A.]

Re: Anyone have luck with a radio upgrade?

There's no such thing as an "upgrade" that can improve sound. Actually a tube style radio produces a better "sound" than a new 2014 Corvette. Just another con job like oil additives.

[Edward B.]

Re: Anyone have luck with a radio upgrade?

I agree with Ken. I just had my 69 factory AM/FM Stereo restored by Jerry Rudbeck at http://electrodesign.us and it turned out beautiful. Great sound and very reasonable pricing. (I also got new speakers from Greg at http://www.turnswitch.com and again, very reasonable pricing). Get yourself a working radio on ebay and send it to Jerry for him to do his magic. He can also install an aux (1/8" pin) input if you want. I had him do that for my Ipod since I get very few FM stations in my area. Well worth the extra $Ed

[Joe L.]

Re: Anyone have luck with a radio upgrade?

I agree with Ken. I just had my 69 factory AM/FM Stereo restored by Jerry Rudbeck at http://electrodesign.us and it turned out beautiful. Great sound and very reasonable pricing. (I also got new speakers from Greg at http://www.turnswitch.com and again, very reasonable pricing). Get yourself a working radio on ebay and send it to Jerry for him to do his magic. He can also install an aux (1/8" pin) input if you want. I had him do that for my Ipod since I get very few FM stations in my area. Well worth the extra $Ed

Ed------

In this day-and-age anyone that has a radio serviced and doesn't have an aux jack installed is nuts.

[Bill L.]

Re: Anyone have luck with a radio upgrade?

I agree with Ken. I just had my 69 factory AM/FM Stereo restored by Jerry Rudbeck at http://electrodesign.us and it turned out beautiful. Great sound and very reasonable pricing. (I also got new speakers from Greg at http://www.turnswitch.com and again, very reasonable pricing). Get yourself a working radio on ebay and send it to Jerry for him to do his magic. He can also install an aux (1/8" pin) input if you want. I had him do that for my Ipod since I get very few FM stations in my area. Well worth the extra $Ed

I will second Jerry's work. He redid my 70 AM/FM stereo and frankly I was amazed at how good it sounded. Clearly won't win an audio contest but the sound was very good and he added an aux. The AM/FM stereo sounds waay better than the stock AM/FM non stereo radio.

Bill

[Bill M.]

Re: Anyone have luck with a radio upgrade?

Edhow is your AM band working? I had 2 radios gone over by an advertiser in the driveline. both had stopped working so I sent out and had the reception upgrade modification as well. FM works slightly better than before they failed. AM does not come in worth a darn. I would send back but I figure I will get no where.Bill

[Edward B.]

Re: Anyone have luck with a radio upgrade?

Bill, both AM and FM bands work great. It's just that I live out in a valley in Southern California and receive very few (US) FM stations. Of course, I pick up ALL the Mexican stations!! Those guys transmit with a billion watts!Ed

[Ken A.]

Re: Anyone have luck with a radio upgrade?

Bill,
If you have a replacement antenna & coax, then that may be your problem. A good repair shop will calibrate reception using your antenna.
AM is the more sensitive-FM is pretty much trouble free

[Edward B.]

Re: Anyone have luck with a radio upgrade?

You can do it yourself too. It's not that difficult. Jerry sent me the instructions but I didn't need to adjust mine.

From Jerry:

Adjust the recessed antenna trimmer screw on the radio front cover by the tuner shaft for maximum loudness on background noise or on a very weak signal near 1600 on the dial. This is critical to gain maximum AM performance and has no effect on FM.

The trimmer is located behind the tuner knob on the right side of the radio. The procedure and picture is in the AIM too. At least for 68 and 69. The AIM page for both years is UPC U69, Sheet A2.

Ed

[Domenic T.]

Re: Anyone have luck with a radio upgrade?

Gary,
Jerry did 2 radio's for me and I bought 1 more from him. I am sure they will work great. I would contact him about yours as he has parts and knows who has what. He may have a radio and I think he knows what a good deal on E-BAY would be.
If you do find a radio and want a good tune up I would send it to him.

DOM

[Gary R.]

Re: Anyone have luck with a radio upgrade?

Thanks guys. I will contact Jerry once I get the radio out, I also met Mike Hagan a few years ago at Carlisle and he had one of these playing pretty clear and sharp. These electronic conversions have been around awhile and most seem to like them, maybe I just got a bad board or volume switch.

[Edward B.]

Re: Anyone have luck with a radio upgrade?

When you ship it to Jerry, DON'T be in a rush! He's usually backlogged by at least 5 or 6 weeks, usually more. But he's well worth the wait.

Ed