71 radio source

[Peter M.]

To all,

71 Lt1 with aftermarket radio. Wnat to tkae out and replace with proper 71. Some questions:

Other than build sheet(which I don't have), is their a way to tell what kind of radio the car came with(amfm mono or stereo?)

Alos, is their a good source for purchasing all the pieces necessary-hate to go to ebay as fear is it will nto work.

Finally have paseenger dash off and noticed what looks like a silever coloered amplifier or spmething bolted there. Is that a part that goes with the original radio?

What other pieces would I need?

Thanks in advance

Peter

[Joe L.]

Re: 71 radio source

Peter-----

If the car was originally equipped with the U-79 stereo radio, it should have an adapter unit (or evidence of one being formerly there) just below the upper dash pad and about center dash (behind the center instrument bezel).

If the car was equipped with the U-69 mono radio, then it will have a convector unit mounted behind the right side dash pad. It sounds like this is what you have. This will be a finned, aluminum heat sink with a large Delco-labeled germanium transistor mounted in the center.

If you already have the convector, and it sounds like you do, all you need is the radio head unit and the speakers. For 1971, the speakers mounted under the dash. These may have been replaced when the aftermarket unit was installed. You must use 10 ohm speakers with the stock Corvette radio. Reproductions of these speakers are available.

The radio unit for 1968-71 was, basically, the same. For 1972, the lettering on the dial changed to white and the shafts for the knobs were of a slightly different length.

Most of the Corvette radio suppliers can probably sell you a refurbished original unit, but it will cost you a pretty penny. Figure about $500-750. I believe that Corvette Clocks By Roger sells these and I'm sure many others do, too.

[Joe L.]

Re: 71 radio source

Peter-----

If the car was originally equipped with the U-79 stereo radio, it should have an adapter unit (or evidence of one being formerly there) just below the upper dash pad and about center dash (behind the center instrument bezel).

If the car was equipped with the U-69 mono radio, then it will have a convector unit mounted behind the right side dash pad. It sounds like this is what you have. This will be a finned, aluminum heat sink with a large Delco-labeled germanium transistor mounted in the center.

If you already have the convector, and it sounds like you do, all you need is the radio head unit and the speakers. For 1971, the speakers mounted under the dash. These may have been replaced when the aftermarket unit was installed. You must use 10 ohm speakers with the stock Corvette radio. Reproductions of these speakers are available.

The radio unit for 1968-71 was, basically, the same. For 1972, the lettering on the dial changed to white and the shafts for the knobs were of a slightly different length.

Most of the Corvette radio suppliers can probably sell you a refurbished original unit, but it will cost you a pretty penny. Figure about $500-750. I believe that Corvette Clocks By Roger sells these and I'm sure many others do, too.

[Raymond W.]

Re: 71 radio source

Peter,

I'll share what I learned as I replaced an aftermarket radio with the original AM-FM Stereo in my '74. I believe that what you are describing as a "silver colored amplifier or something", is a transistor. The transistors are different for mono and stereo radios, in both size and the number of what I believe are diodes (Delco DS 501). The mono transistor that I saw for a '74 radio had 1 diode, while the one for the same year stereo radio had 2. The stereo transistor for my radio measures 6.5" long x 4.25" wide x 2.5" high. I was able to confirm from the source that when the original radio was removed from my car, they left the original transistor behind. If you can confirm the same, you'll be able to figure out what radio you need based on the type of transistor left behind. During my project, I spoke to a ol' time radio guy, Bill Kromer (269) 684-5316, who advised me to purchase a radio, together with a transistor, this being due to the fact that the transistor and the radio are matched up. From there, I came upon a company called, Original Car Radios, their web site is originalcarradio.com, from where I purchased my radio... which came with a matched transistor. Bill, as well as one of our fellow NCRS members, also advised me to make sure that I connected all this to the proper ohm radio speakers. This lead me to Jackson Speakers Services in Michigan, where I picked up a reconditioned pair of original Delco speakers (not sure of the ohms)...they advertise in Hemmings. You'll be surprised at how great they sound. I picked up the necessary speaker wiring connections from Letric Limited. The last tip that I was provided with dealt with the removal and installation process...be careful when handling the instrument cluster, it was designed to break away in a crash, or as some find out the hard way, when they pull and tug too hard on it. The Chassis Service Manual points out a caution to all this. For what it's worth, I just spoke to a local club member who removed his original radio (without incident) and did it without removing the center instrument cluster. I hope this helps.

Ray

[Raymond W.]

Re: 71 radio source

Peter,

I'll share what I learned as I replaced an aftermarket radio with the original AM-FM Stereo in my '74. I believe that what you are describing as a "silver colored amplifier or something", is a transistor. The transistors are different for mono and stereo radios, in both size and the number of what I believe are diodes (Delco DS 501). The mono transistor that I saw for a '74 radio had 1 diode, while the one for the same year stereo radio had 2. The stereo transistor for my radio measures 6.5" long x 4.25" wide x 2.5" high. I was able to confirm from the source that when the original radio was removed from my car, they left the original transistor behind. If you can confirm the same, you'll be able to figure out what radio you need based on the type of transistor left behind. During my project, I spoke to a ol' time radio guy, Bill Kromer (269) 684-5316, who advised me to purchase a radio, together with a transistor, this being due to the fact that the transistor and the radio are matched up. From there, I came upon a company called, Original Car Radios, their web site is originalcarradio.com, from where I purchased my radio... which came with a matched transistor. Bill, as well as one of our fellow NCRS members, also advised me to make sure that I connected all this to the proper ohm radio speakers. This lead me to Jackson Speakers Services in Michigan, where I picked up a reconditioned pair of original Delco speakers (not sure of the ohms)...they advertise in Hemmings. You'll be surprised at how great they sound. I picked up the necessary speaker wiring connections from Letric Limited. The last tip that I was provided with dealt with the removal and installation process...be careful when handling the instrument cluster, it was designed to break away in a crash, or as some find out the hard way, when they pull and tug too hard on it. The Chassis Service Manual points out a caution to all this. For what it's worth, I just spoke to a local club member who removed his original radio (without incident) and did it without removing the center instrument cluster. I hope this helps.

Ray

[Peter M.]

Thanks Joe NM *NM*

[Peter M.]

Thanks Joe NM *NM*

[Peter M.]

Thanks Ray NM *NM*

[Peter M.]

Thanks Ray NM *NM*

[John L.]

Re: 71 radio source, web site?

Ray, I have tried to access the radio web site originalcarradio.com without much luck. Do you have a number I could call?. My 71 stereo radio plays out of the right side all the time & out of the left once and awhile. I have replaced both speakers last year but it didn't help.
Thanks for posting, all your information is very timely for my 71 project.

[John L.]

Re: 71 radio source, web site?

Ray, I have tried to access the radio web site originalcarradio.com without much luck. Do you have a number I could call?. My 71 stereo radio plays out of the right side all the time & out of the left once and awhile. I have replaced both speakers last year but it didn't help.
Thanks for posting, all your information is very timely for my 71 project.

[John L.]

Re: 71 radio source, web site?

Ray, found the site, it's originalcarradios.com. Thank you for all the information,ie.webb site, speakers, dash information. This is why this board is so valuable to it's members. So much information in one location. Thanks again!

[John L.]

Re: 71 radio source, web site?

Ray, found the site, it's originalcarradios.com. Thank you for all the information,ie.webb site, speakers, dash information. This is why this board is so valuable to it's members. So much information in one location. Thanks again!

[dick foehringer]

Re: 71 radio source, web site?

i restore/repair radios as a hobby and to help buy parts. i fix them for the car clubs and chevyland in sacramento. i have a 69 mono am/fm and also a 68 am/fm/stereo. all with 90 day warranty. let me know if interested and i can help you out.
regards dick

[dick foehringer]

Re: 71 radio source, web site?

i restore/repair radios as a hobby and to help buy parts. i fix them for the car clubs and chevyland in sacramento. i have a 69 mono am/fm and also a 68 am/fm/stereo. all with 90 day warranty. let me know if interested and i can help you out.
regards dick