'67 AC car speaker removal - NCRS Discussion Boards

'67 AC car speaker removal

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  • Robert C.
    Expired
    • December 1, 2005
    • 164

    '67 AC car speaker removal

    I've searched and found some good info, but so far, not the combo I have.

    1967 AC car - front speaker is toast. 3 of the 4 bolts are out.

    The "rear" bolt near the drivers side, by the gauge cluster is not accesible
    from what I can see. By "rear" I mean the one closest to you, not the nuts by the firewall.

    It seems the AC's center duct is sitting on top of the speaker frame and blocking this nut.

    So far, about the only option I can see is to drop the column and remove the gauge cluster to get in there.

    Anyone ever accomplish this WITHOUT removing the cluster?

    If so, please let me know - this is really frustrating for a darn speaker.

    I can see non-AC cars can no doubt get to the nut via the clock hole. AC cars, that duct is sitting right below the speaker nut.

    Thanks in advance if you've been there before and can shed some light on this.

    Bob
  • Gary S.
    Super Moderator
    • February 1, 1984
    • 457

    #2
    Re: '67 AC car speaker removal

    Been awhile since I restored the black/red 67 390 air coupe in the picture. Not much fun working behind the center dash with A/C. Maybe try removing the radio side panels, the glove box, RH air duct, clock and two top A/C control knobs and the center dash duct...plus the radio. You might find it easier to get to it from the right side than the left. The gauge cluster would be the last thing I would touch. Good luck.

    Gary
    Attached Files
    Avatar--My first ever vette, owned 3X since 1977, restored 1993-2024. Top Flight Award 9/14/24

    Comment

    • Robert C.
      Expired
      • December 1, 2005
      • 164

      #3
      Re: '67 AC car speaker removal

      I loosened up the gauge cluster and really want to avoid pulling the column and cluster out to get to the last bolt.

      I was debating removing the control knobs and seeing if I could get that duct out.........why this didn't install from the top is a mystery to me.

      Thanks for your help, I'll keep everyone posted.......

      Bob

      Comment

      • Robert C.
        Expired
        • December 1, 2005
        • 164

        #4
        Re: '67 AC car speaker removal

        Turns out, removing the center AC duct is the way to get at the last bolt.

        I removed the cables that pass through the duct. The passenger side I totally removed. The drivers cable is loose, but still installed

        With some wiggling and pulling the duct dropped down.

        I can see the last bolt on that darn speaker now !!!! Whether I can get to it still remains to be seen - but I can see it now.

        I'm fairly sure I'll need to fully remove the drivers cable that passes through the duct to get that last bolt out.

        And, if anyone is wondering, I'm not looking forward to re-installing it
        if it can be rebuilt or replacing it.

        Bob

        Comment

        • Jeffrey G.
          Frequent User
          • June 30, 1986
          • 77

          #5
          Re: '67 AC car speaker removal

          Bob,
          If you need to replace your speaker, I was happy with the speaker offered by S & M Electro-Tech @ $70 with shipping, contact info is below.
          Jeff

          S & M Electro-Tech, Inc.
          8836 Xylite St. NE
          Baline, MN 55449
          Tel 763-780-2861
          Electro-Tech, Inc. is a custom electronics shop serving the classic car and hot rod hobby specializing in classic auto radios and classic car speakers.

          Comment

          • Robert C.
            Expired
            • December 1, 2005
            • 164

            #6
            Re: '67 AC car speaker removal

            I'm leaning towards getting this one fixed, only because it seems to
            be an original "replacement" from the old days.

            I did talk to the guys at Electro-Tech and they noted their speaker will fit an AC car, but it's tight.

            So.......if this one can be repaired, I might go with that.

            Thanks for your help and advice.

            Bob

            Comment

            • Robert C.
              Expired
              • December 1, 2005
              • 164

              #7
              Re: '67 AC car speaker removal

              For anyones future use:

              As loose as everything was, even after removing the cable from the AC
              duct, that darn ductwork will not come out.

              It's loose, but seems to not have enough room to drop free.

              After numerous attempts, my last thoughts were to remove the steering
              column and cluster to get at the last bolt for the speaker.

              Thinking about this more, my fear was rebuilding the speaker and damaging it when I installed it - or worse yet if the darn thing broke in the future and having to go through this again.

              So......I scrapped it. Planning to install a speaker in the rear somewhere, this was just too much silly work for a speaker.

              And to think, someone at GM finally changed the speakers to be removed from the top in 1978? Ever wonder what engineer thooght this was a good idea in the mid-years? Let alone waiting over 10 years to change it?

              Bob

              Comment

              • Robert C.
                Expired
                • December 1, 2005
                • 164

                #8
                Re: '67 AC car speaker removal

                Update 05/2011.

                Speaker is out !

                The dash cluster has to come out to get at the last bolt that holds the speaker to the dash. This nut is right above the AC duct and even with the cluster out, was a tight fit.

                I couldn't get a socket on it easily, but an open end wrench and 2 fingers finally got it loose and out.

                The steering column was dropped, but not removed.

                Seat ended up coming out to get at the back of the cluster.

                The trip odometer you need to undo on the lower edge of the dash.

                It would help to remove the speedo and tach drives at the tranny and distributor to give yourself some room to slide the cluster forward.

                The ignition switch is clipped in and difficult to remove. You have 3 tabs that need to be depressed to remove it.

                And, last but not least, this is a non-tilt column and the plastic covering on the column that is visible needs to be removed - this allows the column support bracket to slide up quite a bit, saving you from removing the steering column totally.

                FYI - the speaker on AC cars is 2 1/8 inches tall. The one good aftermarket reproduction is 2 11/16 inches tall. With the additional height, it'a doubtful it would clear the AC duct.

                This speaker is going to Ron McGee for restoration - recommended by many NCRS members.

                Hope this helps someone some day !

                Bob

                Comment

                • Terry W.
                  Expired
                  • August 31, 2010
                  • 69

                  #9
                  Re: '67 AC car speaker removal

                  Hi Robert
                  can you explain to me how the AIR COND cable runs through the left ducting, my 67 AC coupe had the cable pushed through a very untidy hole halfway along the duct,surely there should have been a better system, have just pulled my radio and speaker ,WHAT A PAIN
                  cheers

                  Comment

                  • Robert C.
                    Expired
                    • December 1, 2005
                    • 164

                    #10
                    Re: '67 AC car speaker removal

                    Terry,

                    If you look in the AIM, section C60, A3 they have a pretty good drawing.

                    The upper left hand cable goes through both the duct and the flexible duct.

                    The flexible duct is split according to the AIM at the base, then the cable goes to the passenger side of the HVAC housing.

                    This one just had the cable ripped through the flexible ductwork about halfway through.

                    Any yes, it makes me wonder who was thinking when they designed this.

                    Then again, they didn't change to top mount speaker until 1978......go figure.

                    Bob

                    Comment

                    • Frank D.
                      Expired
                      • December 1, 2005
                      • 80

                      #11
                      Re: '67 AC car speaker removal

                      Robert:
                      As fate would have it, all this week I have been trying to figure out a way to get to the same rear, left nut on my dash speaker that you struggled with last May. So your post DID help someone struggling with the same problem. Thanks for posting.

                      Comment

                      • Robert C.
                        Expired
                        • December 1, 2005
                        • 164

                        #12
                        Re: '67 AC car speaker removal

                        Glad it did !!!

                        I was looking at pictures of that the other day......the bummer was the radio (after restoration) still has a problem.

                        It's worked a handful of times, but at least I know the speaker works ! Everfything sounded very good for a 60's radio and speaker setup.

                        We never could figure the radio out. The guy that restored the radio helped me on the phone for an entire day......in the end I gave up. He even looked at the radio twice.......just one of those 'old car things' I guess.

                        But, it will get addressed at some point, only because that darn speaker is working !!!!!!!!

                        Comment

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