71 Radio Speakers (AM/FM)

[Norman S.]

What is the correct OHM rating for replacement speakers.
In the aftermarket catalogs, they all seem to be 4 ohm. But a radio guy at Carlisle told me to be sure to get 10 ohm replacements.
What are the originals?
Thanks.

[Paul C.]

Re: 71 Radio Speakers (AM/FM)

The correct Ohm rating is 10 ohm. Your two choices are: buy new ones or get the old ones reconed. I bought one new speaker from:
corvette specialties
8850 xylite st, N.E.
Blaine, Minnesota 55449
www.corvettespecialties.com
Cost was $99.03 which including shipping.

Reconing can be one by various radio restorers. I am using Crockett Sound Laboratories, 729 Hwy 54 South, Alamo, TN 38001. The man's name is Tony Mac Crutchfield and he advertises in NCRS Driveline. Reconing costs $100/speaker and he is 4-6 months behind on work---but does great work.

Hope this helps.Paul

[Norman S.]

Re: 71 Radio Speakers (AM/FM)

Thanks, Paul. Helps a lot. Norm

[Joe L.]

Re: 71 Radio Speakers (AM/FM)

What is the correct OHM rating for replacement speakers.
In the aftermarket catalogs, they all seem to be 4 ohm. But a radio guy at Carlisle told me to be sure to get 10 ohm replacements.
What are the originals?
Thanks.

Norm----


10 OHM. Try the attached NEW DELCO speakers which are the GM direct replacement for your originals. If you don't like them, you won't have lost too much. However, I think you'll like them.

http://www.fcsurplus.ca/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=2719

[Paul C.]

Re: 71 Radio Speakers (AM/FM)

Is that correct $3.75? I can't believe any speaker that costs $4 is worth anything. I will stick to having mine reconed.

[Joe L.]

Re: 71 Radio Speakers (AM/FM)

Is that correct $3.75? I can't believe any speaker that costs $4 is worth anything. I will stick to having mine reconed.

Paul-----


The "proof is in the pudding". For just a few bucks, you can try it and see how it sounds. I am VERY confident that this speaker will sound just as good as the originals did when they were NEW. If it will make you feel better about these, you can pay a GM dealer about 51 bucks FOR THIS EXACT, SAME SPEAKER.

[Norman S.]

Re: 71 Radio Speakers (AM/FM)

Thanks, Joe. These speakers look great--- and the PRICE??? I kind of agree with Paul that $3.75 is an unbelievable price but they are supposed to be Delco new.
Here's what I've found so far. Kendall Chev-Cad in Eugene, OR have Pt # 15173232 speakers GM Replacement that spec for a 71 Vette for $35.85.
I asked their parts guy about these Forest City Surplus units with the #16157512 Delco speakers-- seems this part number specs for 91 up Bonneville, 91-99 Buicks and 90's Allantes noting they are part of a 4 speaker system.
Now you know what I know.
Thanks for your help.

[Joe L.]

Re: 71 Radio Speakers (AM/FM)

Thanks, Joe. These speakers look great--- and the PRICE??? I kind of agree with Paul that $3.75 is an unbelievable price but they are supposed to be Delco new.
Here's what I've found so far. Kendall Chev-Cad in Eugene, OR have Pt # 15173232 speakers GM Replacement that spec for a 71 Vette for $35.85.
I asked their parts guy about these Forest City Surplus units with the #16157512 Delco speakers-- seems this part number specs for 91 up Bonneville, 91-99 Buicks and 90's Allantes noting they are part of a 4 speaker system.
Now you know what I know.
Thanks for your help.

Norm-----


The GM #15173232 are the currently cataloged replacements for 70-77 Corvettes. However, I think that these GM #16157512 will work and fit just as well. For "peanuts", you can find out.

[Norman S.]

Re: 71 Radio Speakers (AM/FM)

I think you are absolutely right, Joe.
While we're on the subject, do you have any idea of how complicated it is (ie, how many hours time) to remove the dash pad from a 71?
We are on our way to the Regional in Bend, OR and I was thinking of stopping at the dealership to have the speakers installed but they couldn't turn up a flat rate time.
Any ideas?

[Terry M.]

Re: 71 Radio Speakers (AM/FM)

Norm, removing the dash pad is a fairly easy job -- but if they are basing their work on a flat-rate manual I wouldn't go near the place. The chances of them having an employee -- ANY employee -- who knows much of anything about a 1971 Corvette is low. There is one hidden bolt that unless they know where it is, or have a 1971 AIM (again, not too likely), they will do serious damage to your dash pad.

Your chances of finding someone at the Regional who is willing to help and has experience with early C3 dash pads are far better -- unless you are arriving there at the last minute. If the speakers go in from the top -- and I have no experience with them, so I don't know -- the dash pad in and out should be an hour or so. Be aware that repairs are not permitted on the judging field, so you want to get your work done before you place the car on the field. I don’t recommend working under this kind of pressure. It reduces the fun quotient and increases the chance of damage due to haste.

All that said, if you want to go forward in these kinds of circumstances: In addition to the hidden bolt I mentioned the interior A pillar bezels will likely have to come out. When the dash pad was new it would flex enough that this was not necessary, but that was 30+ years ago. The passenger side dash pad has to come out to access the hidden bolt. All six of the screws across the top front of both dash pads have to come out. Be sure to keep track of where ALL the screws come from -- they are different lengths, and if you put a long screw in a short hole you may poke a hole in something. Also keep track of the cone shaped washers on the six screws from the passenger and driver side dash pads. There is a machine screw (IIRC) that goes from the wiper switch up into the dash pad that has to come out as well. That is all I can remember at the moment, but others may offer help. It has been quite a few years since I did this sort of thing.

[Norman S.]

Re: 71 Radio Speakers (AM/FM)

Thanks for the advice, Terry. Your points are well taken. Might look easier that it is. I'm only going Sportsman at Bend-- maybe I'll see if I can find an expert-- I'm judging C3's so it should be easier. One thing-- looking at my pad, it seems to be one piece across--can't see where it is divided anywhere-- does have 6 screws across the bottom, though.

[Gordon H.]

Re: 71 Radio Speakers (AM/FM)

If you can use a screwdriver and keep track of where the parts go , you can do it. Pillar pads , right side inst pad ,hidden screw under dash pad and off it comes Take care not to bend the inst. pad too much or you will buy a new one .Just enough to get it out .Then the speakers are a piece of cake .Right in front of your eyes Then reverse what you did to get it apart . Done.

[Norman S.]

Re: 71 Radio Speakers (AM/FM)

Sounds easy enough, Gord-- if I'm careful!!!
The "hidden screw"--- how is that accessed? When the 6 front screws are removed, do you pull the dash cover towards you or is it tilted up--from the back side or the front side? Or what?
Both you and Joe have referenced what seems to be a two part pad-- right side/left side. What I see is a one-piece pad. Do I have a replacement pad?

[Terry M.]

Re: 71 Radio Speakers (AM/FM)

Perhaps we are using less than precise terminology, so I'll try to be more specific. Chevrolet calls all three items Pads. The upper – the one you want to remove – is called a pad assembly. Helps a lot doesn’t it?

There are three pads.

One in front of the passenger -- it contains the pockets for junk storage.
One in front of the driver -- it contains the speedometer and tachometer.
Each of the above have three interior colored screws across the top that fasten into the third pad.

The third pad is the upper dash pad -- the one under which the speakers reside and the very one you want to remove. THAT one is one piece, and you want it to stay that way.

The hidden bolt is behind the passenger dash pad -- the one with the pockets in it. There is a right angle bracket with a bolt going into the engine compartment bulkhead. Even Ray Charles can find it once the passenger pad is off. Some of the fasteners for the passenger pad are in the door jamb, and some are from the center instrument cluster bezel into the passenger dash pad.. DO NOT mix them up when putting them back. The ones going from the instrument bezel are the ones that are different length, and it is critical to get them back into the same hole. There may be one of the courtesy lights attached to the passenger side dash pad. I think it attached with a screw. The passenger side kick panel MAY have to come out for clearance for the passenger dash panel -- I can't remember for sure. Check to see.

All you need to remove from the driver's dash pad is the three interior colored (unless you have a black interior) screws across the top.

I think the upper center windshield bezel has to come out first – screws from the bottom up and the sun visors have to come out with it. Then the A pillar bezels. The A pillar bezels have a screw or two at the top – one is from the bottom up and is hard to see at first – unless you can stand on your head. Once the screws are out – ALL of them – there are two plastic tabs holding the bezel to the A pillar. These are like industrial strength velcro. The same kind of tabs are on the door panels. Be sure ALL the screws are out before you start yanking.

The upper dash pad pulls an inch or two toward the rear of the car to release the clips at the front of the upper dash pad. Be sure to get ALL the clips reinstalled when putting the upper dash pad back in place or it will not fit/look right. After pulling toward the rear to release the front clips you will have to carefully lever one side past the A pillar to get it out.

If you had an AIM (Assembly Instruction Manual) you would have a picture or two or three showing ALL these fasteners, the hidden bolt, and the clips at the front of the upper dash pad. These would help you greatly to be sure all the fasteners are removed before you start tugging at something still attached.

If you have read this far, I admire your patience. Since you are going for Sportsman you have no operations requirements, so it doesn’t matter if your speakers work or not. Ask around if someone who has done it before will help you with this task. Offer food and/or beverages when the job is done. You can pull your car off the show field at any time – without explanation to anyone – and sometimes the Sportsman cars are not even parked on the show field. Watching/helping someone who has been there before will be a good learning experience for you and a whole lot better than struggling with the unknown by yourself.

This job is the easiest interior task on early C3s – short of removing the seats. The rest of the interior is a freaking zoo.

[Norman S.]

Re: 71 Radio Speakers (AM/FM)

Thanks, Terry. You are da man! I appreciate your explicit instructions. Ray Charles may be able to find the hidden screw, but what about a Chimpanzee? That's how I equate simplicity! And I do have an AIM. I will consult it. I will also consult an expert. Thanks very much for your time and attention. I can almost hear the music already!