Radio static Problems
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,937
Likes: 334
From: Reno Nevada
Radio static Problems
I installed a ZZ427 in my 66 conv . The engine has factory HEI distributor and factory wires. With engine running I have static in the newly restored wonderbar radio. Help, any ideas ? thanks in advance.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,937
Likes: 334
From: Reno Nevada
I have an engine ground strap and a frame to birdcage strap installed. Shielding will not fit around HEI. Wonderbar radio is what I had to install came with car. What action should I accomplish to remedy the situation. Thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,190
Likes: 4,178
From: Kannapolis NC
Wonderbar is the C1 radio that electrically tunes the radio stations. C2's have manual tuning (except possibly 63, never looked at one). They didn't come with Wonderbar radios and they mounted vertically, unlike the C1 Wonderbars. I think you're just using the wrong terminology due to the sliding bar to select am/fm. It's not Wonderbar if it came with the car.
As 66jack said, make sure your antenna plate is grounded below the antenna. You may have to put some sort of suppressor capacitors on the power to the radio and possibly the antenna lead. Did you use "R" type spark plugs and wires?
As 66jack said, make sure your antenna plate is grounded below the antenna. You may have to put some sort of suppressor capacitors on the power to the radio and possibly the antenna lead. Did you use "R" type spark plugs and wires?
Last edited by 65GGvert; Jan 17, 2014 at 07:55 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 58,061
Likes: 7,146
Army
If its a whining sound and changes with engine speed it may well be the alternator feeding through the radio's power line. The original noise suppression capacitors were mostly for AM listening. Amplitude Modulation is much more susceptible to interference than FM (Frequency Modulation). If you are getting the interference on FM then you might just have to add a power line filter - they aren't much money and Crutchfield or Amazon have many options for these.
As a little experiment you could wrap some aluminum foil around your HEI distributor with an alligator jumper to ground and see if the noise goes away or is reduced. If so then you've found your problem... As noted you need resistor plugs/wires too.
As a little experiment you could wrap some aluminum foil around your HEI distributor with an alligator jumper to ground and see if the noise goes away or is reduced. If so then you've found your problem... As noted you need resistor plugs/wires too.
Last edited by Frankie the Fink; Jan 17, 2014 at 08:11 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: northern california
C2 of Year Finalist (track prepared) 2019
My '63 roadster has a Wonderbar.
Jim
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