Lots more radio info on my main web www.WonderBarMan.com page so make sure to check it out!
AUTOMATIC TUNING:
The Corvette radio includes the "Wonder Bar" electronic tuner witch is operated electrically by depressing the "Wonder Bar" momentarily.
The tuner will electrically and automatically tune in the next station on the dial.
The sensitivity control can be set so the tuner will stop at all stations as just the high powered stations.
The radio can also be tuned manually by the manual tuning knob.
The tuner also includes five push buttons witch can be preset to automatically select five favorite local stations.
PROCEDURE FOR SETTING PUSH BUTTONS:
Turn on the receiver and allow for warm up.
[Let radio play for about 15 minutes]
1. Open the hinged door below the dial exposing the five red selector tabs.
2. Tune in the desired station nearest the left end of the dial. [Push the "Wonder Bar" to tune in stations]
3. Move the first red selector tab (one farthest left) until it lines up with the pointer tip.
4. Repeat set up steps 2 and 3 for all red tabs and, push buttons. [First tab works only with first push button, second tab only with second push button, etc.]
5. Check the setting of each red selector tab by depressing the corresponding push button. IF the correct station is not tuned in, readjust the red selector tab; either slightly to the right of the dial pointer or slightly to the left of the dial pointer until the desired station is obtained by the push button.
[IF a working station is not found where You have red tab set for push button the pointer will not stop. Once a push button is seated push another push button or ''Wonder Bar'' to release it.]
[Push buttons are electrical switches and only require enough force to push them in to the click position. To much force breaks the mechanical stops and, ''JAMS'' stopping all the pushbuttons as well as the "Wonder Bar" function from working!]
TURNING ON COLD TUBES CAN BREAK THEM! IF it is below 40 degrees F. warm the inside of the car for about 15 minutes after heater starts to work to bring glass tubes up a safe temperature.
1956 & 57 Corvette radios are the only model to use a DC to AC inverter, instead of the traditional vibratory B+ power supply.
Of the 30 or so of these units i have serviced only one has B+ problems. In dealing with it i found that NO replacement transformer is made. Leaving a parts donor unit the only option except for rewinding or using an external inverter.
Transformer is very small .5" bobbin with over a 1000 turns of 40awg wire [about the size of a human hair] making it very difficult to rewind and very time consuming, very costly.
On that same unit i also had problems with the audio output transformer going up in smoke after playing for several days. Failure was caused by the bad B+ power supply. Output transformer was not that difficult to rewind BUT when it smoket it took out the 2 audio output transistors AND, the 2 power supply transistors witch replacements are close to $090.00 each my cost.
Corvette Radios 1961 to 1967 use a speaker mounted loading coil with out this coil bias on speaker goes from the normal 1.5 Volts D.C. to 12 Volts D.C. burning out the voice coil in the speaker and, the DS-501.12 Volts on the speaker leads tells You Your radio needs the coil or the DS-501 is shorted on radios that do not use the coils.
I find new speakers being sold that are said to be for
1961 through 1967 CORVETTES but have a .5 ohm coil IN
PLACE OF A 1.5 OHM. This will cause bias on speaker
terminal to drop to .5 Volts D.C. [IT SHOULD BE 1.5 Volts
D.C.] overheating radio in about 15 minutes sound becomes fuzzy. Along with slowly over heating wiring harness all the way back to battery. Drain is not enough to blow fuse only to slowly break down insulation on wiring that could cause a short that would burn car to ground?
With one of my loading coils you may run any 6X9 speaker on Your Vette! This is the first place to start with to improve sound of Delcos!
TMCLC1 Speaker Loading Coil for 1961 to 1967 Corvette Radios $49.99+S/H of $12.99 for UPS Ground.
1963 to 1967 Vette Coupes are the best sound chambers on the road! A10 disk CD playing into the Delco then an Alesis nano verb feeding the power amps, Set the rear up with: one 15" bass speaker 600 watts, two 10" 300 watts per channnel, two 6X9" 150 watts per, two mids and twetters up front 150 watts per, and you got a system worthy to be in a CORVETTE! WARNING!: a system like this will make YOUR CORVETTE the center of attention where ever You go! and You will need a second battery in the rear to pull the load! Not to mention straps to keep from BLOWN the rear glass out!
IF You would like to see what a real state of the art auto audio system looks like! CSLs Senior Auto Tech has a broadband video of his ever day driver! Magnum's Lair
1965, 1966, 1967 Corvette Radio Removal:
WARNING!: REMOVE BATTERY GROUND CABLE BEFORE ATTEMPTING RADIO REMOVAL!
A. Remove both side trim {the cover that Your knees would hit} from center dash console (one Phillips screw at top of each side).
B. Remove black plastic heat distributor duct two 5/16" screws. {under dash between gauges, radio, speaker}
C. Remove radio support screw (7/16" lower right hand side of radio).
D. Remove glove box. Disconnect speaker, antenna and power connections.
E. Remove knobs and hex nuts. {knobs may have a set screw that uses a allen wrench or flat blade screwdriver}
F. Carefully tilt radio top back. It may now be removed by carefully manipulating through the side.
To reinstall radio, reverse above procedure. Important: Be sure to peak antenna trimmer for AM after reinstalling. Radio performance may suffer if this is not done. {small flat blad that can be seen through a hole in dash with knobs off}
SPEAKER REMOVAL: Accessible after glove box removal. {Best to send in with unit i get nasty calls after radio is returned go through a two week battle to get folks to check speaker and then all the paper is gone?}
A. Remove right instrument panel pad. [5 Phillips screws]
B. Disconnect speaker connectors. NOTE: on some vehicles it may be necessary to remove the kick pads to access speaker connectors. [To remove door sil plate remove two 5/16 hex head screws and four Phillips screws.]
C. Remove tree wiper switch trim plate screws and tip plate for access to switch connector. Remove switch connector and trim plate from cluster assembly.
D. Unclip and remove right and left console forward trim pads. Remove forward most Phillips screw on right and left side of console.
E. Inserting a flexible drive socket between the console and metal horseshoe brace, remove the nuts from the two studs on the lower edge of the console cluster.
F. Remove remaining four Philips screws retaining cluster assembly to instrument panel.
G. From rear of console, disconnect radio electric connector, brace and antenna lead-in.
H. Remove radio knobs and bezel retaining nuts.
I. Pull top of console forward [toward ear of car.] Separate radio from console and remove it from the right side opening. CAUTION: The center instrument cluster trim plate is designed to collapse under impact. Consequently, do not try to deflect the cluster plate forward to gain more access to remove the radio. Also use care so as not to damage the plastic oil pressure line when pulling console forward.
SPEAKER REMOVAL:
G. Remove kick pads by removing three Phillips screws.
Remove two 3/8" screws and remove speaker.
RADIO REMOVAL
A. Remove right instrument panel pad. [5 Phillips screws]
B. Disconnect speaker connectors.
C. Remove three wiper switch trim plate screws and tip plate for access to switch connector. Remove switch connector and trim plate from cluster assembly.
D. Remove forwardmost Phillips screw on right and left side of console. Unclip and remove right and left console forward trim pads.
E. Inserting a flexile drive socket between the console and the metal horseshoe brace, loosen the nuts on the two studs on the lower edge of the console cluster. [Do not remove nuts]
F. Remove remaining four Phillips screws retaining cluster assembly to instrument panel.
G. From rear of console, disconnect radio electric connector, brace and antenna lead-in.
H. Remove radio knobs and bezel retaining nuts.
I. Pull top of console forward [toward rear of car]. Separate radio from console and remove it from the right side opening. CAUTION: The center instrument cluster trim plate is designed to collapse under impact. Consequently, do not try to deflect the cluster plate forward to gain more access to remove the radio. Also use care so as not to damage the plastic oil pressure line when pulling console forward.
SPEAKER REMOVAL
I. Remove instrument panel cover by removing 6 Phillips screws along forward edge.
K. Remove 2 Phillips screws from window post pads and remove pads.
L. Pull instrument panel cover towards rear of car and remove.
M. Remove screws securing speakers and remove.
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.
Show quality cosmetology, Hot~Rod! modifications, High~Pro! studio standard electronics.
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 Apperant!
As of June/18/2010 there are 14 units on RSVP work list.
I will notify You when Your project is 10th on the list so You have time to make an appointment with Your mechanic IF need be to have the radio and speaker[s] removed. Then when Your project is 3rd on the list i will notify You to send unit in for service, With a check for the remaing balance for the Basic Electronic Maintenance fee and any other work or items + $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.
IF You do not ship signature required track unit into the shop with the online UPS tracking # system and when it is delivered email me to confirm receipt of Your unit.
Hopefuly this will put everyone more at ease about the time i have Your radio and, me space to turn around with out having to move 10 or 30 radios to find a part, then moving them again to get back to my work bench!
Historically i have three bumps in work sent to me each year. Around Thanksgiving, Barrett-Jackson AZ auction and, after The Daytona 500 About 75% of work received comes in at these times.
I do on average 50 radios a year.
In 1967 just as i turned 14 I was the only one Delco found in a nation wide search through the schools looking for "young ones" to train as there upcoming radio techs! The next man on the list was 55. A few years later Dr. M.R. Bose was certified.
I was told by the time i was 50. GM expected a 1955 Corvette to be worth $20,000.00 and they wanted to make sure there would be factory trained techs to take care of there radios!
I have MY way of doing things witch You MUST agree to, IF You want me to work on Your Delco Radio. It is just to much of a distraction for me to try and adapt to each customer's way of doing things. Witch turns out to be "Forget about all others! Work on mine!!"
After 40+ years I still love working on my Delcos! BUT it has all ways been a "when it is the right time thing!" Five minutes of sloppy work can take two days to correct! These old radios demand time! Radios also demand my complete attention when i am working on them or i make mistakes!
IF i am really deep into a work session dealing with a difficult problem AND the phone rings, it will take me 30 minutes before i can mentally pull out of the radio to talk to any one! The last thing i want to do is loose focus on the radio BECAUSE it may take me weeks to get back to the point i was with that radio when the phone rang!
I DO WELCOME one! Phone call from anyone thinking about sending me a Delco radio for service! BUT only ONE call per radio is included in the Basic Eectronic Maintenance fee!
Of course give me a call if in a very unsuall event, You are having a problem with a unit i restored for You! I will do my best to help You get it turning tunes! There is no charge for this service BUT an email works better.
You will find that calling form 2 till 8 PM Central Monday through Friday [closed all holidays and some days with out notice!] is the best time for me to deal with phone calls and be able to give You an intelligent answer to Your questions. BUT: Emails work much better! for You and me! As i do not have to stop what i am doing! AND i have time think about what i am saying and do research if need.
I stay behind in prepaid work! So I do not have time sell parts, radios, or give tech tips!
IF You are SENDING me a Delco unit for it's basic electronic maintenance. The terms under witch i will agree to work on them, Basic Electronic Maintenance rates and, what i do for that fee, and how i do businness is outlined on this page! A cosmetic restoration on the bezel is available! BUT there are so many vairables i can not list that cost until i see the unit and determain what You wish done.
Please make sure to read and TRY to understand my ideas on this page! As well as how to pack radio so shafts are not bent or broken in transit! BUT DO understand we do Delco Radios my way!
Every question asked of me in the last 10 years is answered on THIS website in more detail and with more thought than You will get in an email or phone call. PLEASE UNDERSTAND! I just do not have time to RECOVER all this info in emails OR time to answer phone calls all day and get any radios restored! EMAIL: Mac @ WonderBarMan.com Put your last name first in subject line of all email or it most likely will be deleted unopened with all the spam i get! ~IF for some reason You have problems with that one BUT only after You have problems! cause IF You send an email to both at one time i will discard BOTH unopened try tonymacii @ webtv.net AND i will reply form the webtv server so set up Your spam filters for it.
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 value to Your vehicle!
New: Speakers, Amps, Reverb, etc. That work with old Delco's
1965 Chevrolet TV Commericals!!!
NEW PHOTOS COTTONFIELDS Recording Studio
