HOW DOES A CONVERSION ADD MORE POWER?
With most modern speaker amplifiers, the negative
speaker terminal is NOT grounded. Rather, the output
is (+) and (-) with the (-) terminal also being "hot" which greatly increases the output power. Thus, it is necessary to install all new speaker wiring so each speaker has its own dedicated pair of wires with NO grounds or "commons".
Also, all speakers should be replaced with ones capable of handling 30 watts RMS, or 60 watts "peak" depending on the rating system used by the speaker manufacturer.
Note that some GM cars are already set up with a fully isolated speaker system, and on those cars you can just replace the speakers and the wiring is already isolated.
E-mail me a picture of your radio's connector(s) and I can tell you whether the car has grounded or isolated speakers.
e-mail me at fixthat8track@yahoo.com Type my e-mail
address manually into your e-mail - links don't always work.
If choosing increased output power with a speaker system that was originally common ground, your radio's original connector(s) will be replaced with a 12-wire harness, with complete instructions on connecting it to your car wiring.
If choosing to use your radio's original connectors instead of installing a new harness with a common-ground speaker system, output is roughly equal to the original electronics and the radio simply plugs back in for easy installation.
You will make this choice on Page 8 of the work order. A link to my work order can be found on the HOME page.
I JUST NEED A NEW BELT - DO YOU SELL THEM?
Sorry, this is strictly a repair and conversion shop and I am unable to also function as a parts supply house. You can find belts at http://www.turntableneedles.com
WHO SELLS HIGH-POWER SPEAKERS MADE TO FIT CLASSIC CARS?
http://www.retromanufacturing.com
https://www.smelectrotech.com/
I'M SENDING 2 OR MORE RADIOS - DO I GET A BREAK ON THE PRICES?
Sorry - I don't get a break on the warranties, right? All jobs, regardless of number or who is sending them, are charged at my advertised rates. I call this "Fairness for both sides", and expect customers to be as fair to ME as I am to them.
YOU'VE HAD MY RADIO FOR AWHILE - WHAT GIVES?
How long your radio has been in my shop was by YOUR decree, not mine - and by signing my work order, you have
agreed IN WRITING not to interrupt my work with "How much longer" inquiries that I am unable to answer anyway.
My focus is NOT on how fast I can rush through the job, but rather, how long it delivers excellent performance AFTER
THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. It your radio becomes
urgent, the proper course of action is to UPGRADE to Level Two or Level Three expedited service.
Shops capable of radio conversions number FEWER THAN ONE PER STATE, resulting in long turn times unless the customer purchases Level Two or Level Three service.
WHERE CAN I FIND 8 TRACK PARTS BESIDES BELTS?
There is no such thing as an 8 track parts supply house, and manufacturers of 8 track machines are not continuing
to produce parts for decades-old machines. Thus in most cases, another similar unit is the only source for a part.
MY RADIO WAS ORIGINALLY AM ONLY. HOW DO I SWITCH BETWEEN AM AND FM WITHOUT HAVING AN
AM-FM SWITCH?
This is accomplished by turning the radio off, then turning it right back on within half a second. If left off for more than
two seconds, it will resume operating on the same band when turned back on.
HOW LONG IS YOUR WARRANTY, AND WHAT DOES IT
COVER?
My warranty is one full year, and covers ALL the new electronics I have installed including the conversion modules, new tape head preamp, new motor and speed control board. My warranty DOES NOT COVER ANY OF
THE RADIO'S REMAINING ORIGINAL PARTS SUCH AS
THE CONTROLS, SWITCHES, TRACK CHANGE MECHANISM OR TUNER ASSEMBLY - EVEN IF THEY WERE SERVICED WHILE IN MY SHOP. IF AN ORIGINAL
PART FAILS AFTER SERVICE, IT IS AT THE END OF ITS
USEFUL LIFESPAN AND MUST BE REPLACED.
OKAY, SO WHERE WOULD I FIND THOSE PARTS IF THEY ARE EVER NEEDED?
Unfortunately, any model-specific part can only be found by purchasing a similar unit, and it's always safest to have a spare unit on hand. Again, there is no such thing as a parts supply house for 50 year old car radios.
THEN HOW IT IS THAT I CAN BUY NEW BUMPERS AND OTHER PARTS FOR MY ORIGINAL CLASSIC CAR?
No surprise here - it's all about MONEY and how much the company can expect to make. And a company capable of manufacturing chips will be going after the NEW car market where they can make huge profits - they're not going to waste their time worrying about keeping old radios alive.
Bumpers, carburetors, quarter panels and other car parts are expensive and have high profit margins. But trying to
reproduce original electronic parts, it's unlikely that even
setup and production cost can be recouped because they simply won't sell enough of such low cost items.
This is THE reason that conversion electronics have become available - not only to add FM, but to get these old radios working again PERIOD in the absence of new parts.
If individual parts for classic car radios were still available, you would find them at Rock Auto, Hemmings, etc.
I'M TRYING TO FIX MY OWN MACHINE - NEED ADVICE
My only advice is to send it in for professional service. My knowledge has value, and is 100% reserved for my PAYING REPAIR AND CONVERSION CUSTOMERS. If you're not willing to pay for guaranteed service, I wish you good luck.
WHERE CAN I FIND A RADIO SUITABLE FOR MODERN
INTERNAL CONVERSION?
By far, eBay always has the largest number of original classic car radios in various states of condition. Of course they can be in nonworking or unknown condition, BUT all
the controls must be undamaged and in proper working order, since the controls are reused for the conversion.
EXTREMELY IMPORTANT: On many old radios, the tuner and station preset buttons no longer work, at least smoothly. DO NOT - and I repeat DO NOT try to force anything as this can break plastic gears and require you buy another entire unit.
C'MON MAN - YOU CAN'T GIVE ME ANYTHING FOR A SOURCE OF PARTS?
Actually, you have the exact same parts source as myself -
it's called The Internet, and you must do your own research.
WHY ARE YOU SO STRICT ABOUT PACKING?
It's very simple: If I politely ask the customer to "please pack your radio safely", radios arrive with damaged controls and the customer has to buy another entire radio to get a
working replacement.
But when I say I will return the radio UNSERVICED if it arrives with damage from careless packing, VIOLA - radios arrive with good controls and everyone is happy.
So I'll say it again: YOUR RADIO WILL BE RETURNED
UNSERVICED IF NOT PACKED EXACTLY FOLLOWING
MY PACKING INSTRUCTIONS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE HOME PAGE, USING A PROTECTIVE CARDBOARD SLEEVE THAT I EXPLAIN HOW TO MAKE FROM ANY
BOX YOU MIGHT HAVE LYING AROUND.
TOO MANY PEOPLE HAVE CHEWED ME A "NEW ONE" BECAUSE OF THEIR OWN CARELESSNESS !!! AS A RESULT, I'M ON A HAIR TRIGGER WHEN IT COMES TO
PACKING - AND THIS IS FOR YOUR SAKE ALSO.
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