My '74 has what appears to be the original Philco AM radio in it. It works but the volume control is somewhat flaky and just seems like it could work better. I was curious if anybody knew any good resources on how to refurbish such a thing?

 

If the radio works well except the volume is scratchy when you move the ****, just go to radio shack and get some tuner cleaner or contact cleaner. Put the red nozzle on the can and with the **** off, squirt it down in the volumne control while turning it back and forth. It will clear it up every time if you get it down in there.

 

The tuner/contact cleaner is a good idea----just make sure its for that use as some look alike electronics cleaners can be very harmful to potentiometers like in that older radio. Most radios from that era are still servicable if needed---the trick of course is finding someone specializing in vintage car radio repairs.

Do a Good search for "car radio restoratations" if you'd like to go all the way---contact cleaner otherwise.

 

A few more details. The speaker is fairly lousy and has been replaced at one point with one that is smaller and it has been rigged into place. So I need to replace that with one of proper size.

The main trouble is that I can get all of one station, and it comes in with static. I know there are other AM stations in the area. The volume is very touchy. It turns on and off like it should but I can turn on and be very very quiet and then moving it as little as I possibly can it CAN GET VERY FREAKIN LOUD! Although very loud can be alright for while I'm moving, it blasts my eardrums out sitting still. I would really like to have some more finite control over them. Sometimes the volume will change on it's own without touching it. I have even had the volume change just by revving the engine. Being said though I think this is more vibration related than interference because the static level remains constant with engine RPM.

The radio LOOKS great and everything seems to work, it just doesn't tune well and the volume is flaky as I mentioned. I have found information that they can be restored but am having trouble finding information on how to do it yourself. I thought about trying to take it apart and use some contact cleaner, I just wasn't sure if there was anything inside them that would be serviceable. Sounds like there is so I guess I'll give it a shot.

 

I am betting your reception problem is a lousy aftermarket antenna. I don't know where you can get a quality OEM antenna except possibly at the junkyard. Also make sure you have a good ground connection where the antenna mounts. Also most of these older radios have a adjustment on them that matches the antenna to the radio. Sorry I don't know exactly where it's located on yours, but it will usually be a hole in the radio with a small flat screwdriver adjustment. If I remember correctly, you tune it to the upper end of the band to a weak radio station, and then turn the adjustment till it comes in the best.

For your volume control, try the cleaner, and also make sure the radio is not hanging on the volume and tuning controls. There should be a support bracket in the rear that holds the weight of the radio. The front controls should only hold the front of the radio in the dash.

 

Well the antenna that is on it is actually an OEM Ford antenna, it just happens to not be for this particular year. The antenna was broke when I got the truck and the radio didn't work at all. I went to a junkyard and was able to find one off of a 90's model truck. I mounted it and that made the radio work, just with the problems I have mentioned. I have since actually swapped the antenna mast for the one on my '95. The one I got from the junkyard was black and the one on my 95 was silver. The silver looked better on the old truck and the black looked fine on the new truck so why not?

Funny thing about it, the radio hadn't worked at all. I installed the new antenna and turned it on nd was instantly greeted by static. I carefully tuned it to 650AM and was greeted by Aaron Tipon playing "Ain't Nothing Wrong With The Radio." No ****, I can't make that up, I'm not that creative.

Anyway, I went over to my dad's house this morning so I could borrow his tools and his workbench. I pulled the radio out of the truck and cracked it open. I took some contact cleaner and tried to clean anything that looked like it made electrical contact and moved, as well as any plugs and connectors. I put it all back together and wouldn't you know it works a ton better. I was able to find more stations than I have presets for and the volume control works much better! The only thing wrong with it is that the very last preset button doesn't work properly. Oh well, I can deal with that.

 

Coincidence is funny. One time I was video taping three Raccons outside of the front door (in the city!) and when I played it back the stereo in the background was playing "The Boys are back in Town"! I can believe the Aaron Tippen thing.