Radio Removal 64 A/C/ coupe

[Jace H.]

Hi,

I removed and replaced the radio in my 67 roadster 7 years ago without much difficulty.

The radio in my 64 A/C/ coupe has stopped working and I need to get it rebuilt. I have taken off the low hanging fruit parts and have encountered some obstacles that I don't remeber with the 67. I think I need a refresher course on radio removal for a 64 A/C coupe. I have taken the side panels off, bottom heater vent deal, unplugged the antenna wire and the power and of course all of the knob hardware. The radio is in a floating state.

Questions:

First obstacle that I encountered was in trying to remove the console I noticed that there are 2 brackets mid way up the forks that are riveted on from underneath that I don't recall being on my 67 console. Position wise they sit at the rear of the radio on the inside of the console. I can see that these brackets could do some serious damage on the sides of my dash in trying to slide the console back and off. What's the trick there?

Do I need to take more of the heater vent configuration off? I can't get the radio out with what I have removed.

Do I need to drop the vent pull and parking brake handle bracket?

Please tell me that I don't have to take any of the A/C duct work out??

Thanks in advance for the help,
Jace Holt
28944

[Bill C.]

Re: Radio Removal 64 A/C/ coupe

Jace,
Those two "brackets" are staked to the bottom of the console and were intended to hold the radio side panels in place. They are usually already gone (thankfully) as the attachment point is very weak.
You should be able to very carefully "work" them both off the console and not need to replace them as they really are not needed, you are correct , you will damage the pads trying to remove the console with them and the shifter in place.
As far as A/C ductwork, I do not think you need to remove any of it.
Keep us informed of your progress!
Bill

[Paul J.]

Re: Radio Removal 64 A/C/ coupe

Jace:

In my early 64 (w/o AC) the radio is held by a bolt on the right side and the nuts under the knobs. The only brackets under the console are riveted to the floor and receive the screws which hold the console in. Unless your design is different, these brackets should not come into play when removing the radio or the console. I recently took my radio out again and did what you have done including removing the console. It was tight and took some patience, just as it had before.

If, for some reason, your brackets are attached to the console you can slide a piece of flashing (preferably steel) between the dash and the bracket and force it past.

I remember the first time I took my radio out I was sure that they suspended it over the assembly line and assembled the car around it.

Paul

[Paul J.]

Re: Radio Removal 64 A/C/ coupe

Jace:

I just looked at the bottom of my console and there are two indentations (ridges) that outline where the brackets that Bill mentioned were. As Bill said, these were long gone before I ever got the car. Mine were once riveted to the bottom of the console and the connection looks like it was very weak. I doubt that they would stay on if forced against the dash. You might want to see if you can wiggle the radio out with the console in place, although it's a tight fit even with the console out Otherwise, you'll probably need to pry the bracket off the rivet.

Paul

[Mike G.]

Re: Radio Removal 64 A/C/ coupe

Jace: I just removed the radio from my '65 A/C car and you should be fine once you remove the console. If you have the layer of insulation on top of the tunnel, you'll probably want to pull it out for the extra 1/2" of clearance.

You've already removed the bottom vent, and that should be all you need.

The radio wiggles out on the driver's side, no need to mess with the e-brake or vent cable.

Those evil brackets on the console aren't needed to hold your side panels snug. Just bend them off.

[Jace H.]

Re: Radio Removal 64 A/C/ coupe

Thanks to all that responded. I will tackle those "evil" brackets tomorrow and see if I can get the console out.

Jace