1970 Corvette Radio
I am at a dilemma with my factory radio. The light comes on, but no sound. I really don't want to dismantle the center gauge cluster to pull the radio out to check it. The fear is messing something else up just to have the radio working. You see, this corvette has EVERYTHING working on it, from the factory alarm, to all the fiber optic lights. The ONLY thing that doesn't work, is the radio. Even the motor has never been out of the car. Is it worth fixing the radio? I would like to have the car judged some day and don't know how bad the car would get dinged for the radio not working. If I decide to pull the radio, is there a chance I could find a build sheet in the dash area?
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Re: 1970 Corvette Radio
There is a chance you could find a build sheet above the driver side gauges but there is no need to pull the DS dash out in order to remove the radio. -
Re: 1970 Corvette Radio
no need to repair if you don't use the radio, probably a power supply or something of that nature why it is inop, slim chance I would say to find build sheet but possible....have you checked on top of tank, better chance there. good luck.Michael
70 Mulsanne Blue LT-1
03 Electron Blue Z06Comment
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Re: 1970 Corvette Radio
You will lose 25 points for an inop radio. You can lose a total 270 points and still receive a 94% Top Flight.Comment
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Re: 1970 Corvette Radio
If the dash speakers are the originals, I would test those first. My '71 had both speakers inoperative and I spent so much time chasing a radio problem only to find the speakers shot.Comment
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Re: 1970 Corvette Radio
Russell does your 1970 have factory air conditioning? My original owner 1970 does have factory air conditioning and I have removed the radio a couple times for repair. Are you going to remove it? To give more movable room for the console recommend removing the emergency brake plastic cover from its mounting. The secret bolt that screws into the back of the emergency brake cover is accessed from behind the bulkhead and just below the center glove box. Reaching in from the passenger side of the car through the jack storage area to the center of the bulkhead with your left arm you should be able to fine the bolt head, it is either a 3/8 or 7/16 size and mine was a shouldered bolt. Then you have to remove the side screws which you can see from inside the car.
I can write more, but will wait until you post what you are going to do.
I found my 1970's build sheet on top of the tack housing and my 1968's build sheet behind the radio.Comment
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Re: 1970 Corvette Radio
Thanks for all the replies/help on making this decision. It would be nice to have a radio, but not worth possibly messing something else up. If I was a pro, maybe I would tackle it. Like Michael stated, if it's the speakers, that's more work than I really want to do. On the other hand, I can see one speaker going bad, but not both. If I heard some crackle in the speakers, I could see that. Jim, it does have AC, but you lost me at "bulkhead".Comment
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Re: 1970 Corvette Radio
"Bulkhead" is a term for the wall behind the seats. That hidden bolt is really a pain.Comment
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Re: 1970 Corvette Radio
Russell,
You indicate that your 70 is very original and in good shape. No one has asked about whether or not it might qualify for bowtie judging. I don't know your car, but you should investigate bowtie before you dive into it at all. For bowtie judging, whether your radio works or not is a moot point.
FWIW, I have a 70 convertible that everything works on, is original paint, hoses, shocks, etc., etc. The light comes on for the radio, but the sound is EXTREMELY faint, to the point that if you don't have your ear next to the speaker, you can hear nothing, and even then, only if the car is not running. I've chosen not to do anything about that, because of the originality of the car.Comment
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Re: 1970 Corvette Radio
Russel the center instrument gauge panel on your 1970 does not have to be "dismantled" to remove the radio. I have removed the radio in my 1968 and my 1970 Corvettes with the center gauge panel left attached to the console. The two 3/8 inch nuts that attach to the instrument gauge panel studs that go into the console are difficult to remove or loosen.Comment
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Re: 1970 Corvette Radio
Mike, it's probably a won't make the Bowtie award. When I found the car in Dallas back in February, they had already change the brake calipers and master cylinder. I had asked about the parts they took off and they stated they had threw the parts away already. Strike 1. I trailered the car back to OKC, started checking into it. (came with receipts dating back to 1993) The car started fine and drove, but it hadn't been tagged since 2004. What I had to do was this. Change shocks, belts, points, sway bar bushings and other rubber bushings under the car. Had everything aligned, front and rear. Change oil and replace transmission pan gasket. In other words, getting the back in shape to cruise around and even drive it on the highway if I wanted to. It does drive great now and I wouldn't be afraid to drive this car anywhere. In the paperwork, I seen a receipt where the gas tank was replaced back in 1994 by City Chevrolet in OKC. As well as a repaint back in 1994 with lacquer paint by Corvette Body works here in OKC. (the paint is still a 9.5 out of a 10) The carpet was replaced at that time.Comment
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Re: 1970 Corvette Radio
Hi Jim, don't want to hijack the thread, but I'm glad you posted this. I have my dash out now for restoration, and pulled the radio for repair. It will take a couple of months to get it back, so I was debating whether to wait to put everything back together now, thinking that I would have to take it all apart later to get the radio back in.
Any pointers/tips on putting the radio back in with the instrument bezel in place?Comment
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