FACTORY CERTIFIED
1958 to 1975
DELCO RADIO SERVICE
Crockett Sound Laboratory
Tony Mac Crutchfield
729 Hwy 54 South
Alamo TN 38001 USA
CONTACT
|
FACTORY CERTIFIED
Crockett Sound Laboratory |
The only Delco Certified Radio Service for:
Signal Seeking Wonder Bar. 1958 to 1975 Buick, Cadillac, Corvette, Chevrolet, GMC, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Jaguar, Lincoln, Chrysler, Imperial, Avanti, Studebaker, Packard, Willys, Opel, Rekord &, John Deere units.
I work on ALL Delco Radios made before 1985. Including 1953, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957 Corvettes all though I am not certified on Delco units before 1958 I do claim to be Heir Apparent!
Delco electronic specification radio restorations.
Speaker reconing: Replacing all the soft parts that age using Delco frame.
Show quality bezel cosmetology on most models.
Audiophile modifications:
Line Input to allow the Delco's to play iPods, CDs, Satellite radio, etc, using Delco's volume and tone to control sound.
Line Output to drive massive Watt power amps.
Custom made wiring harness for a near drop in installation of Hot-Rod audio components.
New High-Pro speakers set up to work with any make or model GM car made from 1953 to 1985.
To reserve a place on my work list please send a RSVP fee check for $25.00 [RSVP fee will be deducted from the basic electronic restoration fee, but not refunded] along with a one page 8.5" X 11" work order:
IF HAND WRITTEN ''PLEASE'' AT LEAST MAKE RETURN SHIPPING ADDRESS & CONTACT INFO ''READEABLE''!
First return shipping address, Your contact info, then info on what radio You will be sending (model # off radio if possible), a brief to the point description of known problems, a statement as to any work You wish to be done outside basic electronic restoration, any items You wish to purchase. Yes or No as to bezel cosmetology. Time Frame: Let me know Your situation, just starting a frame off no big rush. Or First girl friend back home to see Mom 30 years later works.
Give You check time to make it to shop then send an email with Your full name first thing in subject line. Stating that i should have received Your $25.00 RSVP fee and info letter, I will reply and, save that email for further contact. If i do not confirm receipt of Your RSVP or each shipment. Please send another email asking for it.
When i do have You send Your project for work, I will ask that You include a check for the remaing balance for the Basic Electronic Maintenance fee and any other work or items requested + $40.00 for return shipping & handling via UPS Ground with $1,500.00 of value on shipment with signature required in a 12" cube box 11 pounds or less.
Track Your unit with UPS's online tracking system, ''AFTER!'' it is delivered to shop email me to confirm that i have received Your project.
Historically October and, November is when most of my work orders come in, 60~80% at this time! Often taking till Feburay or later to work all of those off. Then after the spring Barrett-Jackson AZ auction and, Daytona 500. IF You wait till March to get on my work list, You may not receive You project back untill August or later. So IF You hope to have Your project finished by spring You need to be on my work list by early November. Because after having my head stuck in radios all winter come spring i am ready to get outside to watch the wind blow and, grass grow! Myself.
My electronic service skills come from going on my first TV service call with my Dad at the age of eight. Certified and, trained by RCA & Motorola on there audio products at 13, Delco in 1967 at the age of 14. Working with the top recording studio builders and, live touring sound companies in the world with 43+ years of on the job traning in electronic sound system service! AND, I still learn on every unit i work on!
P/S: I did not get Zenith's certification back in the day because they all ready had a TV tech in the area BUT i did do his audio work!
There is a click box to help one work through my Delco Radio Service pages!
No matter what make or model car You have You are making money on my services! With a none working radio You loose value! With one of my RESTORED Delco units adding to Your vehicle!
I can make any vintage Delco Radio sound a 1000 times better than a secert audio system can and it stays factory with my hiden black boxes! and, modifications. That are true audiophile quality! Not ''JUNK!''
ALL of the Delco radios made before 1985 are long over due for their Basic Electronic Restoration! Many suffered from cold solder joints the day they left the factory! Age took out the Electrolytic Capacitors ten years later! even if it has been in a seald box sitting on the shelf! So that New Old Stock stuff is just an extra clean core, and lots of the NOS stuff never worked! If you want the radio in your Delco Car Radio to give the GREAT PERFORMANCES it was designed for and is capable of, then send it in for Basic Electronic Restoration! it is 30 to 40 years overdue for an oil change! Runing on FIVE plugs, with bad gas! and bald tires! Please do not subject your self to the Headaces of Psycho Acoustical Brain Damage that a sick radio is sure to cause!
I service all Delco radios made before 1985 including the world famous signal seeking Wonderbar! With full pull out and instillation service at Your local GM dealer. Once You have Your Delco in the box, If You like i will have UPS pick~up! with as much insurance as You desire on her trip to Brimms Corner TN. All i need is the size, & weight of box, when & where to pick up box! Ships at UPS Ground rates & cost no more!!
The click boxes bellow will help You to move through my Delco page. Some info may be missed so schroll down to make sure!
BASIC ELECTRONICS MAINTENANCE SERVICE INCLUDES:
Cleaning inside and out with CRC degreaser. Cleaning & Lubrication of Volume Control, Push Buttons & Tuning Mechanism. Replacement of Belts, Lamps, Ceramic Fuses, Electrolytic Capacitors, Check & repair printed circuit board for cold solder joints. Hook radio up to a
600 amp 12 volt dc power supply, dummy speaker load, oscilloscope, signal generator, frequency counter & Simpson 260. Test and repair as necessary all circuits. RF-IF Alignment. Then I freeze, bake, cycle on & off every 15 minutes for 24 hours at a time, checking for proper operation after each test. Tap with rubber hammer, bounce on bench 3 times and then turn on the speaker and, crank it up!
The Basic Electronic Restoration MUST be done in order to tell what shape the radio is in, Once the Basic Electronic Restoration FREEZING & BAKING is done some radios will fail after playing for three or four days making it imposible to tell what it takes untill spending a bit of time each day on Your radio for two weeks. Radios that need additional work or parts (tubes, transistors, volume controls pods, coils, wiring harness, motor, switches, etc) will have additional charges. 80% of all radio pulled from a working car will ship back at the basic rate but 20% don't and their is NO WAY to know what or how long it takes untill I do the BASIC ELECTONIC RESTOATION and they suffer my abuse for a couple of weeks. No way of telling what radios off ebay, from swap meets, salvage yards or other shops might need!
For the pursiest what I do is a light clean up with GUNK & CRC CLEANERS, lubricate with Mobil-1 20/50. Cleaning & replaceing only those compontents necessiary to acheive as new electronic performance. Outside of dial face & chrome are cleaned and polished with NOVUS 1 & Q~TIPS.
I use original equipment manufactures parts if available, salvage as necessary, custom fabricate and, the lesser quality J-15 battlefield qualified military products if no others can be found.
For Basic Electronic Restoration on a CLEAN CORE radio with a FIVE YEAR WARRANTY on LABOR & PARTS installed: Speakers extra on all restorations.
ADD $40.00 for return ''SIGNATURE REQUIRED'' UPS shiping/handling with $1500.00 of insured value on a 12"X12"X12" box , 11 pounds or less, to most USA locations! Larger heaver box add more.
Minimum of $150.00 charge on any unit sent into the shop + return shipping/handling fees.
Speaker baskets with soft parts that are dry rotted dust bowls or filled with other debris, have a minim $25.00 clean up fee added to reconing fee. The UKIER the debris the more it cost You! So take a wire brush and scraper and, put the junk in Your trash can! I only recone speakers sent in with restoration progects.
NOTE: I am only agreeing to RESTORE the DELCO'S normal wear & age related electronics for the Basic Electronic Restoration fee!
Items not listed in my basic electronic restoration list like volume pods, tuning shafts, transformers, tubes, transistors, etc will be added to the bill. Some parts can only be found in donor radios and i am now seeing incomplete core 56~57 Corvette radios listed at $2,700.00
Sending a radio in with prepayment check for service, in NO way makes you MY shop manger!
IF You in a big hurry You need to find another radio man! These units take time and i refuse to let a coustomers emothions overide logic! I refuse to ship a unit back untill i fell the unit is in the best condition i can make it! After all who has more experienc with these units me or You? IF it takes two weeks or two months more to make it right at least it is right as i can make it when i ship it back! And i do not have to listen to some wineer crying about have to pull the unit back out and ship back to me, acting like he has was wronged.
Electronicly Tuned Radios radios {digital readouts} were the first generation of DISPOSABLE electronics! The ONLY way to service one is to take as many parts units as necessary and make ONE working unit out of it! Labor is $500.00 and cost of parts units is what they cost me NO idea as to how many parts units it will take till i have project unit working!
NOTE ON ALL RADIOS SERVICED: Best to send in speaker(s) {even brand new ones} and, let me test them for porper opreation. It would be a shame to service the radio, then have a speaker voice coil go bad taking out the output stage that would NOT be covered under warranty!
Make Checks Payable to: Tony Mac Crutchfield (or) Crockett Sound Laboratory
Checks take 10 business days to clear my bank before shipment on any sale!
Cashiers & Certfied Checks on a bank that is not in Tennessee still take 10 days to clear my bank?
Credit Cards & online payments:
Are for Your convience! NOT MINE so YOU pay there fees! They are accepted through PayPal.com Add 3.5% of total + $0.35 on each transaction to cover PayPal fees. ALL SALES FINAL: NO REFUNDS, NO CANCELLATIONS of any kind unless i decide necessary! Before paying make sure it is what You want!
Just click on the PayPal logo to make a payment.
You may request the pointer, & dial face to be rescreened, cost depends on amount of work required. BUT: This could take $1000.00$ off the value of YOUR CLASSIC. If You do not state in work order You want the cosmetlogy i do not touch inside of bezel so dust is left inside just like she has never been touched.
NEW CHROME, LENS & KNOBS:
Are avaible for many makes and, models. From .com vendors. TrimParts, CorvetteCentral, OPG, YearOne, etc or Google for others. Please order it and send in with unit for restoration. Waiting untill I have Your project finished means i have to spend extra time retracing steps i could have done while i was doing the basic. Either way I will hang it for You and rescreen bezels along with dial pointer. Cost depends on amount of work required.
I do not need Your knobs and, had rather they not be sent with restoration projects. To clean them use a Q~Tip and, ArmarAll.
Studebakers use a glass lens and i can blow the numbers off waving a QTip at it.
Many of my era AM/FM Mono Delco Radios are set up to work with a separate box to give FM~Stereo Operation. Some will have a shorting plug in the back, a round metal housing with a arm coming off the side with one screw holding it in place, multi pin connector some all in line some two rows of pins, that can be removed and a Multi-Plex Adapter plugged into the radio.
Others have the wires coming out of them and a connector on the Adapter for the radio wires to plug into.
Some of the Multi-Plexers have four knobs with unit mounting under dash so as to allow one to work the controls. Others are just a box hiden out of the way with wires and connector to plug into radio or connector for wires coming off radio to plug into.
Less than 7000 of the 1967 Chevelle units with four knobs were ever made.
Multi-Plex Adapters were Delco first attempt into FM~Stereo very difficult to allign and work on, many never worked from the factory! These units have parts only found today in other units and since the limited numbers madk these go for premium dollars today.
VETTE SPEAKERS: I see many output transformer on NEW SPEAKERS that are sold by big name Corvette vendors today that make radios run at a hand blistering temp You must WAKE~UP and check Yours for 1.5 Ohms across the speaker unpluged from radio. ANY THING LESS THAN 1.3 Ohms is to LOW! and is a ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN! Radio plays good for 15 minutes or so and then sound gets FUZZY. Real problem is what it does over time to the covering on wire feeding 12 Volts to the radio as well as the feed going to the radio fuse.
I have NO idea what speaker Your car needs! that info is best doctumented by measuring what is their now! Some are 3" deep and most any new speaker will fit. IN SOME CARS ONLY THE FACTORY 1.5" DEEP DELCO SPEAKERS WILL FIT!
New China replacement speaker in 4X10 & 6X9 size are $59.99 each.
New audiophle quality 6X9 speakers start at $99.99 each raw speaker,that do not include Sunshield, wiring, or . Corvette Loading coil.
Parts are avaible to recone these speakers: 3-1/4 inch mid-range, 4X6 inch used in kick panels, 5X7, 6X9X3, 6X9X1.5 & 4X10 inch speakers with a cone depth of 1-1/2 inch, 6X9 & 4X10 in the 3/4 inch depth. 6 inch used in the center of the back seat of some convertables. 8 inch used in the 1953 to 1957 models.
Reconing fees are $150.00 on all except the 6X9X1.5 used in 65,66,67 Corvette Air Conditoner models fee for the shallow cones 6X9 AC speaker is $175.00
Speaker baskets with soft parts that are dry rotted dust bowls or filled with other debris, have a minim $25.00 clean up fee added to reconing fee. The UKIER the debris the more it cost You! So take a wire brush and scraper and, put the junk in Your trash can! IF unit has a rubber gaskett at the top leave it in place because it will have to be reused to seal off dash.
The yellow aftermarket coil should be checked for proper impendeance of 1.5 ohms and are ''BAD'' untill proven good! I see a lot of them that are .25Ohm. With a load of less than 1.5 Ohms the radio will play fine for 15~20 minutes, then the radio OVER HEATS and, the sound becomes fuzzy! RETURN ALL NEW CORVETTE SPEAKERS with a coil less than 1.5 Ohms AND GET YOUR MONEY BACK BEFORE IT BURNS YOUR VETTE [maybee Your house or garage] TO THE GROUND!
My custom/hand wround Vett speaker loading coil is the best sounding one on the market today! An exact match to factory units! use with any 6X9 in Your 61~67 Corvette! $49.99
Lots of problems starting with the tape carts them self pulling the tape from the center of a closed loop, so they never worked that great in the first place to sticky shed syndrome today.
NOTE: Because of the normal wear of heads by the sand paper effect of tape passing over them, some units will need replacement of head or, outside of this shop relaping service that is not covered in Basic Electronic Restoration. The first test of wear is to drag a wooden Q~Tip stick verticaly across tape path. IF a notch at top & bottom is felt, then excessive head ware is indicated. Result is increas of tape "HISS", poor tracking, distorted sound, excessive wear the the magnatic tape in the carts.
Early year Delco stand alone 8 Track Tape Players (1969 for sure) that switch the radio off when a tape is inserted use a one inch diameter X 1/8 thick switch that has 16 1/8 Amp contacts (so small i need a 10 X magnifier to see them) and 24 wires coming into the switch. Needless to say this switch, switching speakers and 12 Volts from radio to tape, gives lots of problems often causing both radio and tape to go up in smoke! Only way to fix is to use factory switch to trigger 3 relays one inside and 2 glued to the back of tape deck. This is why the $450.00 price $250.00 for the Basic Electronic Restoration and $200.00 for adding the relays $150.00 in labor and $50.00 for the three 15 Amp relays.
Please ship to me using UPS GROUND! In the interest of radio do not ship anything to me using United States Postal Service! AND in my interest please do not ship Fed X they come to early in the day! IF they wake me a 9:00AM and i just got in bed at 5:45AM my day is shoot!
PLEASE: IF You are worried about me receiving Your radio "REQUIRE SIGNATURE" for even more proof that i received Your radio! After UPS has delivered Your Delco Radio please send me emails with Your full name first in the subject! (only one name per radio) "PLEASE" DO NOT CALL AND ASK "DID YOU GET MY RADIO" I loose work time when you call! 20 or 30 calls some weeks means no radios fixed!
Make sure to include every thing electronic that hooks up to radio speakers, output modual, rear volume controls, Many radios come in without output modual or SPEAKERS. I get a kick out of folks who do not send in speaker, then go SPATIC on me after reinstalling radio and it still don't work to finally send me the speaker for reconing and their is nothing but metal left!
PACKING RADIO:
Damaged radios that come into this shop most of the time have the shafts bent! and, are packed by SHIPPING STORES! do not trust them to know what they are doing! If taking a radio to them, PRINT OUT my way and give it to them!
Most radios with one speaker need at least a 12"X12"X12" box. It has just enough room for radio to fit in corner to corner with a soft ball size roll of bubble wrap in a plastic bag, taped to the front of radio! So it fells like You can bounce it off the floor, to keep shafts from damage. And well cardboard wraped speaker. UPS ships at 11 pounds minum.
PLEASE! include a PACKING~WORK LIST [taped to a bottom inside box flap marked with an X] on a single sheet of "NEW" ~i use back side for work notes~ 8&1/2" X 11" paper With name, address of where radio is to be returned, email & phone number the first thing on page, then a BRIEF to the point as possible check list of work to be done! Any new items wanted such as speakers, lens, etc. Along with of every thing sent in with radio! connectors, schematic, speaker, screws, etc that You expect to find in the box when radio is returned! Please state if You want cosmetlogy! or i will not do it! it is only factory once! This is the check list i will use for service & repack! I will not recall anything form a phone call or email so give me everything in this list in a BRIEF TO THE POINT as possible [here less is more! use the K.I.S.S. system] and make it readable! A 20 page print out of past emails is a sure way to cause both of us problems! I ship back ''SIGNATURE REQUIRED'' with $1500.00 of insured value. If You would like more insurance be sure to indicate so in packing letter and add extra cost to Your total.
DO NOT SHIP: Radios with knobs on shaft! This increase the easy in getting them damaged and some volume control, tuning pods can only be found in parts donor radios. DO NOT SHIP: Radios with pushbuttons extend for resetting pointer location! While parts are a plenty, It takes several hours to replace pushbutton mechanics!
If You are sending in knobs for clean up or recrening. Wrap in paper towels to keep them from scratching them self and bubble wrap and tape all together.
Mounting hardware KNOBS, bolts, clips, outsided shaft nuts etc. I do not need and should be stored in a plastic bag taped inside the dash so they are there when You need them to reinstall radio. [Volume & Tuning shafts use two set of nuts each, one to hold shafts to radio ~leave bezel nuts in place~ Second set of shaft nuts holds radio to dash, keep these as i do not need them. IF You do not have 4 nuts ask for them on work order ~ ! Do not let shafts slide back into radio! Only using outside nuts can cause BIG PROBLEMS!!!],
~Shafts are what get damaged in shipping and cost BIG$$$~
This method of packing works much better than a one or two inch mummy rap, that is next to impossbe to get into and does not protect shafts in shipping!
Go online to UPS.COM or Call UPS to set up a one time GROUND pick up any where You like @ 1-800-742-5877 This is one of the listen and punch a couple of numbers depending on what You want to do to get to a human thangs. They will want the length, width, depth, weight of box. Payment can be made to UPS with a credit card or give the Brown Truck driver a check. You need to insure it for ??? {first $100.00 is included each additional $100.00 of value is about 35� extra}. I ship back with $1500.00 of insured value. If You would like more insurance be sure to indicate so in packing letter and add extra cost to Your total. UPS wlll bring a shiping lable and leave a receipt with the tracking code number when they pick up. DO NOT send me the tracking # and expect me to follow Your unit into the shop You do that! With tracking number go to the UPS TRACKING CODE page & You can follow package to me from the internet, or call 1-800-742-5877! This is also the number to call to set up a one time GROUND pick up at Your front door at UPS's LOWEST RATE.
Canadian and, other Internationale Return Shipments: I leave return shipping up to YOU! Once i have project finished and, boxed ready for shipment. I will inform You that i am ready for You to set up return shipping.
SHIP TO:
Crockett Sound Laboratory
Tony Mac Crutchfield
729 Hwy 54 South
Alamo TN 38001 USA
I ship all radios back ''SIGNATURE REQUIRED'' UPS Ground with $1500.00 of insured value. IF You want more let me know! The cost is .35� for each additional $100.00 of value. Shipping other than Ground also cost more. When You get radio back remove it from box and inspect for damage! You have 30 days to file a claim on shipping damage.
As soon as I fill in the UPS shiping info UPS will email You with a QUANTIAM VIEW notice that has the tracking # for Your radio's return trip home. Click on the # and it will take You to all the details of shipment from the time it leaves my shop untill You sign for it.
New Accessaries: Do note collectors say that no matter what the old looks like! the new stuff takes DOLLAR$ off VALUE!
New China Replacements for most size & shapes of speakers used by Delco. Exception is the shallow depth 1-1/2 inch 6X9" & 4X10"units, only hope for these is to recone!
Keep in mind the closer to as is the day it left the factory the more your CLASSIC is worth. In fact I was told by an auto appraiser that if the original radio is missing from a mint 65 Vett he would take $5000.00 OFF the value! That is why you will find that my J-15 service actually makes you MONEY!
Do not forget that nothing else will have that classic Delco Sound! Recording Studio Secret #1 "Make it sound good on a Declo Car Radio!". Yes ALL those great hits You love are cut to sound their BEST on a DELCO!!!
However if you would like a TOP OF THE LINE sound system! Here is How:
SPEAKERS:
This is the first place to start, by upgrading the stock 87 db speakers & adding Acoustical treatment you will greatly improve sound quality.
I see a lot of folks pushing two 4 1/2" speakers mounted on a 6 X 9" base plate so that you have something to hook the extra stereo output up to, so it does not short out smoking the fuse. While on paper it looks good YOU loose all the bottom end and punch. Keep the 6 X 9" an add two silver dollar size twetters, You can silicone glue them to the windshield & they can be removed without a trace.
To get the best sound out of a Delco you need a Digital input! The easy way to Digital sound is by adding a mount anywhere R.F. CD player, They plug in original DELCO antenna port, and tunes in like a AM or FM radio station. Some hold 10 disc in a easy change clip, with extra clips available for long road trips. Trouble is they just DO NOT sound as good as a LINE LEVEL radio!
I can MODIFY DELCO radio FOR LINE INS & OUTS (RCA or MINI HEADPHONE connectors) this is simple wiring using original Delco electronic adding a few wires, that I make neat and clean.
LINE IN:
For AM-FM radios feed line out audio from any devise with line outs such as XM Radio, MP3/Player that stores 150 CD'S that your load from your computer, or a trunk mount 12 disk CD JUKE BOX! Even a portable CD, Cassettie, 8 Track unit . Note: the devise You are using must have a line out! Headphone out is not the same. If headphone out is all Your devise has then a RF Modulator that broadcast into the FM band must be used. Not quite as clean as the line in BUT still the best station on the dial.
LINE OUT:
This feeds the audio form DELCO to power amps (POWER AMPS: Are the motor for sound system and their is lot of horse power {watts} for the dollar now ah days!) with the DELCO'S Volume, Balance, and Tone controlling the sound! Feed the NEW LINE OUT of the Delco to as many POWER AMPS, EQ'S, DIGITAL SOUND PROSSERS & SPEAKERS as you wish! 1000 watts mono on the lows, 600 watts 4 channel on the mids (2 with 15 mil.sec of delay 2 with stereo flanging*), 200 watts for the twetters. Now that will run with a SS396 in Mono and is gone in Srround Sound! Note: Large power amps require large gauge power wires be added. See reinstall page for more info on what may be required to add large wattage power amps.
Next from the pro audio world, I insert an ALESIS digital micro verb inline to a mid range 4 channel power amp, adding about 15 mill second delay one pair of the mid range along with some stereo flanging on one pair of the mid range speakers. This will turn a MONO radio into Surround Sound & LETHALIZES! Stereo. Now you have a sound system WORTHY OF A CLASSIC with You sitting on the drumers thron so, "CRANK IT UP!"
The sound system will get more attention than the Car!!!
The connector at radio & mast must be cleaned and checked for broken wire.
If your DELCO WINDSHIELD ANTENNA radio suffers from wiper noise (static electricity) clean windshield with DAWN and then apply RAIN X and, install new wiper blades if necessary. It is static electricity, from the blades across the antenna. I like these cause they keep the mast clean.
As NO relibale made to fit kits are made to do this, my advice is to forget about trying to cram a FM turner into the radio! Instead leave radio factory go with an external AudioVox FM Converter that was made in the late 60's and early 70's. I no longer sell these but i do still restore them for $50.00
They are 1"X4"X4~6" The best FM reception of any Mono FM turner i have ever found. Simply unplug the antenna form the radio and plug into the antenna port of the the FM Converter and then plug the antenna wire from the Converter into where You just removed the cars antenna on the radio, hook up the fused wire to +12Volts DC, tune the AM radio to 1400 and tune in the FM stations on the converter all You have to do to go back to AM is turn the volume down to save Your ears and push one button on the Converter.
CONVERTING A MONO RADIO TO STEREO:
This notion of converting a mono radio to stereo sounds great BUT the only kits i have ever seen to do this are nothing but JUNK!
Have seen a few conversions where someone went to WAL~MART and bought a $35.00 radio, gutted the Delco and crammed this JUNK inside KEEP IT DELCO!
From 66 until some time in the mid 70s when Delco went to a one peice Stereo unit Delco had two radios an all MONO unit and a [better sounding] unit that was sold most of the time as a MONO unit BUT had a round shorting plug in the back that could be removed and an optional black box STEREO MULTI-PLEXER ! plugged in that had the second channel of audio in it. Since most of these radios were sold with out the plexer the stereo light is not seen unless it is on [making it impossible to tell witch unit You have with out checking model # or for the shorting plug.] Because the plexer units were LOW preduction # add ons, kinda hard to find now days, VERY difficult to find parts for and even more difficult to get to work right, I charger $350.00 just to do the plexer.
IF You must have stereo [so You can brag to the guys at the water cooler] my suggestion is to get the factory Delco Stereo set up! IF You want GREAT! sounds [so folks two blocks away turn to see what You got going on!] use the MONO radio with my line out added to drive a 200 Watt power amp along with some great speakers!
Delco's electronics DESTROYED and new throw a way "JUNK ELECTRONICS" [with a hart stooping 44 watt amp IHF not RMS witch is really 4 watts] Installed inside case. I see Delcos destroyed and this worthless junk installed! Why? Because they can not repair the DELCO. Ask those who push this "NONE SENSE" were will You NEW DISPOSABLE ELECTRONICS be in 5 years if it works at all today? (same place a bic lighter goes when it quits.)
The turner in the DELCO will lock onto stations that the new ones skip over. .37RMS watts of power is the only real improvement. Yes .37 just over 1/3 of a real watt!! Compare that to a 600 watt Stereo power amp that YOUR DELCO'S VOLUME & TONE CONTROL DRIVES! by adding a line out {that is as clean as any audio there is! Not using the dirty speaker level output transistor}! Now go ahead and Drop in an additional 1000 watt mono blocks on the bottom end, a 600 watt~4 channel for the mids, along with a Digital Reverb & 400 watts for the top end IF YOU want a REAL stereo worthy of a CLASSIC! Plus the Delco is the same as the day she left the FACTORY with a few REVERSIBLE MODIFICATIONS, performed by THE ONLY DELCO CERTIFIED RADIO SERVICE TECH for the 1958 to 1975 models!
New modern day electronics? ALL analog transistor circuits are covered by Bell Laboratory patents of 1938! No amp in any auto sounds as good as does the 6V6 tube used in the 53,54, Corvette radios!
IF this "NEW MODERN DIGITAL ELECTRONICS" is so great. Why do recording studio engineers run it through "TUBES" to make it sound "GOOD"?
IF the front speakers are in the kick panels no matter what You do they are are not going to sound very good at all cause the air from them never gets into Your ears!
I went on my first TV service call with my dad at the age of eight, was certified by RCA & Motorola in 1966 when i was 12, in 1967 Delco certified me as their 43rd car radio warranty stations, I had just turned 14, 35 years younger than the next man on the list.
The skills gained in my Dad's T.V. repair shop have taken me into the Pro Audio world , designing & installing equipment in several multi million dollar recording studios.
Working with top stars like Mell Thillis, Sally Kellerman, Krystal Gail, Georgia Satellites , Ray Stevens, Tom Jones just to mention a few along with sound engineers from the Who, Phill Collins, Beach Boys, Linda Ronstat, Little Feat, Willie Nelson, Paul McCartney, and many many more.
I fell that their is no one that can match my passion and ability to RESTORE the 1958 through 1975 Delco radio.
I started working on these radios in 1966 while in the 7th grade & it was two years with my Dad telling me what to do before I realized what I was doing. I fixed at least 300 Delco radios in 1968! one year before i got my drivers license..
New: Speakers, Amps, Reverb, etc. That work with old Delco's
1965 Chevrolet TV Commericals!!!
COTTONFIELDS' West Tennessee Music Samplour
NEW PHOTOS: COTTONFIELDS Recording Studio
TonyMac's N Ford Tractor aftermarket parts tips
OPGI: THE AUTHORITY ON GM "A" BODY PARTS
