original radio questions
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,606
Likes: 1
From: Las Cruces NM
original radio questions
Alright, so I acquired an original radio. Right now, there's a custom autosound deck and some cheapy aftermarket speakers in the kick panels.
Can I use these speakers with the original radio? If not, what ohm rating am I looking for?
What's the wiring breakout on the original radio? What color goes where?
And what's that module behind the pass dash that has a big heat sink on it? I know it has something to do with the original radio setup, but I'm not sure what.
Thanks
C
Can I use these speakers with the original radio? If not, what ohm rating am I looking for?
What's the wiring breakout on the original radio? What color goes where?
And what's that module behind the pass dash that has a big heat sink on it? I know it has something to do with the original radio setup, but I'm not sure what.
Thanks
C
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
Likes: 46
From: Huntersville NC
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,818
Likes: 470
From: Wichita Kansas
Alright, so I acquired an original radio. Right now, there's a custom autosound deck and some cheapy aftermarket speakers in the kick panels.
Can I use these speakers with the original radio? If not, what ohm rating am I looking for?
What's the wiring breakout on the original radio? What color goes where?
And what's that module behind the pass dash that has a big heat sink on it? I know it has something to do with the original radio setup, but I'm not sure what.
Thanks
C
Can I use these speakers with the original radio? If not, what ohm rating am I looking for?
What's the wiring breakout on the original radio? What color goes where?
And what's that module behind the pass dash that has a big heat sink on it? I know it has something to do with the original radio setup, but I'm not sure what.
Thanks
C
On the radio, Gray is the light, Yellow is the power, and black is the ground; on the speakers (with original radio you must use 8 to 10 ohm) the green is + and the black is -. That 'thing' is the amp, don't know if they also called a heat sink back then. Good Luck
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
For my '71 w/orig radio, I replaced the dash speakers with some good quality 4 ohm speakers; then added other 4 ohm speakers to each kickpanel. They are wired in series so the amp "sees" 8 ohms on each side (AM/FM/stereo). The amp is matched for 10 ohms, so I just don't turn it all the way up [to prevent any possible overload]. No problems so far and it sounds pretty good for a mediocre quality radio. At least it sounds just like "in the day" when I'm dialed into an oldies station. 
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,606
Likes: 1
From: Las Cruces NM
Great, thanks, guys. Nothing came up on the search and, as per usual, it was acting up.
I'm sure it's never been called the heat sink, but there's a big heat sink on the thing, so its a nice way to describe it.
That's a good idea about wiring up a second pair of speakers in series. I wonder if I can use a resistor inline to up the resistance....
That classic autosounds thing is junk, but sounds right for the car. Authentic 1972 sound...only the oldies and classic rock stations sound good..... I figure if I'm not going to get great sound, then I want a more period looking radio. The one I was able to get from my old friend is out of a '69.
Thanks
C
I'm sure it's never been called the heat sink, but there's a big heat sink on the thing, so its a nice way to describe it.
That's a good idea about wiring up a second pair of speakers in series. I wonder if I can use a resistor inline to up the resistance....
That classic autosounds thing is junk, but sounds right for the car. Authentic 1972 sound...only the oldies and classic rock stations sound good..... I figure if I'm not going to get great sound, then I want a more period looking radio. The one I was able to get from my old friend is out of a '69.
Thanks
C
Last edited by okinawa86vette; Feb 5, 2007 at 09:31 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,152
Likes: 23
From: Kawartha Lakes and PEC, Ontario
Great, thanks, guys. Nothing came up on the search and, as per usual, it was acting up.
I'm sure it's never been called the heat sink, but there's a big heat sink on the thing, so its a nice way to describe it.
That's a good idea about wiring up a second pair of speakers in series. I wonder if I can use a resistor inline to up the resistance....
That classic autosounds thing is junk, but sounds right for the car. Authentic 1972 sound...only the oldies and classic rock stations sound good..... I figure if I'm not going to get great sound, then I want a more period looking radio. The one I was able to get from my old friend is out of a '69.
Thanks
C
I'm sure it's never been called the heat sink, but there's a big heat sink on the thing, so its a nice way to describe it.
That's a good idea about wiring up a second pair of speakers in series. I wonder if I can use a resistor inline to up the resistance....
That classic autosounds thing is junk, but sounds right for the car. Authentic 1972 sound...only the oldies and classic rock stations sound good..... I figure if I'm not going to get great sound, then I want a more period looking radio. The one I was able to get from my old friend is out of a '69.
Thanks
C
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 5,752
Likes: 4
From: Austin Texas
The heat sink contains a single power transistor (2 if you have stereo). Convector is just another name for heat-sink. Don't use a resistor in series. An single 8 ohm or 2 - 4 ohm speakers in series (per channel) will do fine.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,606
Likes: 1
From: Las Cruces NM
Alright then. I have to check out what's in there, but I'm sure they're 4 ohm modern speakers, albeit garbage. I'm not worried about quality too much, just need something to listen to and I'd rather have a nice 70's period look. The digital stuff just looks out of place in the car.
I'll probably pick up a couple speakers to toss in the dash and run in series with the ones that are in the kick panels now.
C
I'll probably pick up a couple speakers to toss in the dash and run in series with the ones that are in the kick panels now.
C
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Advanced
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: eau claire, wi. usa
It sounds like you have made your decision on what to do and the recommendations will work. I think the speakers maybe to same as for my 81 and I went to my local chev dealer and ordered them. Took about a week to get and all the screw holes & speaker connectors matched.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
You might consider getting better speakers than what GM has to offer. Exact replacements are still pretty poor quality. Put some good quality two-way speakers in the dash (get familiar with the dash speaker frame and install process so you can choose speakers that will install in the Vette hardware). You can get 5"x7" speakers (again two-way design) to fit in the kick panels which will give you better bass sound. Check the depth of the kick panel recess so that you buy speakers that will fit. Car radio website supply places are a good source for decent quality speakers. If you go to the retail supply stores, get ready to fork out big buck for chinzy speakers. You can get good speakers for $30-50 per pair on the internet. Stay with good brand names. 
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
If you put a 4 ohm speaker in place of a 10 ohm speaker, it will work. BUT, the reduced load will demand excess current through the system if you turn it up too high. Roughly, if you turn it up to much over 1/2 volume, you could fry the output transistors (on the convector) or even some preamp power components. Either replace that speaker with one 8 ohm speaker or with two 4 ohm speakers wired in series to eliminate that risk.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
There is one other option: you can purchase an impedence matching transformer--10 ohm input (to hook to the radio speaker wires) to a 4 ohm output (to go to the speaker). That will eliminate the impedence match problem, but it will cost you more than buying the right speaker(s) in the first place. You can probably buy the transformers at Radio Shack. If your radio is stereo, you will need one for each channel.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 473
Likes: 6
From: New Port Richey FL
The internet is fine if you can find a deal on speakers and someone that doesn't want to rape you on shipping. I picked up some Sony Explode 4x6 for the dash and 5 1/4 for the kick panels for 30-40 bucks a set at Wallyworld (walmart). They handle the "power" well and don't distort like the 4x6 pioneers that I had in there did. Overall i'm happy with them.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,606
Likes: 1
From: Las Cruces NM
Finding speakers wasn't really the concern...just finding ones that would work ok with the old stereo.
I've noticed some of the cheaper, paper cone direct replacement speakers are 4-8 ohm compatible. I may just pick up a pair of 5 1/4" ones to throw in the kick panels where the current speakers are. I really don't want to pull the dash out again if I don't have to...it's original, in really good shape, and, of course, super brittle. I don't want to risk cracking it.
As was said, I'm not too concerned with high quality sound. I just want an original radio back in the car to get rid of that aweful, cheesy looking classic autosound thing a previous owner installed.
I even thought about sending my new (old) stereo to get the guts replaced with modern stuff, but it's not cheap...somewhere around $400.
C
I've noticed some of the cheaper, paper cone direct replacement speakers are 4-8 ohm compatible. I may just pick up a pair of 5 1/4" ones to throw in the kick panels where the current speakers are. I really don't want to pull the dash out again if I don't have to...it's original, in really good shape, and, of course, super brittle. I don't want to risk cracking it.
As was said, I'm not too concerned with high quality sound. I just want an original radio back in the car to get rid of that aweful, cheesy looking classic autosound thing a previous owner installed.
I even thought about sending my new (old) stereo to get the guts replaced with modern stuff, but it's not cheap...somewhere around $400.
C
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,606
Likes: 1
From: Las Cruces NM
Well, it turns out those cheapy autozone/napa paper cone speakers are 4-8 ohm compatible. For 20 bucks a pair, I'm going to pick up a set more just to make sure the radio works ok. Then I can try to find some decent 8 ohm speakers. One of the local vintage car radio guys swears there's places online that carry 8 ohm car speakers.
C
C