1970 original AM/FM Stereo 8 track install

stevengerard · August 25th, 2009, 07:12 PM

Getting near the end of my restoration and seeing that my car is a loud convertible I just assume put in the original stereo and 8 track player. I took out the after market stereo/tape player years ago and am now looking at two different original stereos (that have been in my basement for just as long)

1) AM/FM no fader on right side
2) AM/FM with a fader and the radio connects to a smaller component (amplifier?)

From searching the forums it looks like the second one is what goes with the 8-track player. The additional small component is an amplifier(maybe) that mounts near or behind the glove box. Am I correct with this assumption and does anyone have wiring information to hook all three of these items up properly. Thanks.

2blu442 · August 25th, 2009, 07:22 PM

I have a 1970 AM/FM stereo without the 8 track and it has the amplifier too. That may have been a 1970 only item as in 1971 it was combined into one unit. Not sure what 1969 had. John

stevengerard · August 25th, 2009, 10:05 PM

thanks, and come to think of it do the convertibles have left and right front speakers in 1970 or just a center speaker

Bluevista · August 25th, 2009, 10:40 PM

They used the AM/FM stereo adapter in some early '71 models, most are the single unit. The CSM has the adapter, assembly manual shows the single unit and has the cancellation of the adapter notation. If the units have all the original wiring connectors on them they're pretty easy to hook up, almost foolproof.

The wiring just feeds through the tape player for switching, otherwise the tape player and radio/adapter are stand alone units.

Most GM A body convertibles of that era have a center front speaker and another behind the back seat facing rearward. Not real familiar with the rear housing and/or grill on them.

wel109.jpg

stevengerard · August 25th, 2009, 11:13 PM

excellent, thanks so much - wiring "should" be "fool proof" but I have to check to make sure all original connectors are there. Thanks again.

Yellowstatue · August 26th, 2009, 03:45 AM

What are the model numbers on your radios...the fullsize stereos have the heat-sinks on the opposite side to Cutlass and therefore hit the dash brace between the radio and glove box...

should be something like 03AFM-1 ?...

stevengerard · August 27th, 2009, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yellowstatue

What are the model numbers on your radios...the fullsize stereos have the heat-sinks on the opposite side to Cutlass and therefore hit the dash brace between the radio and glove box...

should be something like 03AFM-1 ?...

my heat sink is on the left side (driver side) there are no labels any more, only a stamped number behind the left control knob that say NO. 1 7310895

Bluevista · August 27th, 2009, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yellowstatue

What are the model numbers on your radios...the fullsize stereos have the heat-sinks on the opposite side to Cutlass and therefore hit the dash brace between the radio and glove box...

should be something like 03AFM-1 ?...

I don't know mine either.

But your numbers sound right for 1970. The first number is the model year, 0 is 1970, 1 is 1971 up to '75 it works that way I think, 8 is '68, 9 is '69, in between and after that no idea. The 3 is Oldsmobile, A is A body, the last number is a running change or revision number.

68Tom · August 27th, 2009, 02:31 PM

Hey Steven, any current "after" photos of your restoration? Would love to see it now.

stevengerard · August 27th, 2009, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 68Tom

Hey Steven, any current "after" photos of your restoration? Would love to see it now.

been meaning to post some will try soon, lots of in-between ones as well

Bunser · September 11th, 2009, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yellowstatue

What are the model numbers on your radios...the fullsize stereos have the heat-sinks on the opposite side to Cutlass and therefore hit the dash brace between the radio and glove box...

should be something like 03AFM-1 ?...

I have a 70 cutlass radio on my lap right now, service model 03APB1.There is a stamped no. under the tuning knob:7312375.
A factory installed eight track was part of this "sound package."
PS
The heat sink on this factory original is centre back inside the radio shell itself.(Shell has 5 cut outs on the top and 4 cut outs on the bottom for air circulation.)

stevengerard · September 25th, 2009, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bunser

The heat sink on this factory original is centre back inside the radio shell itself.(Shell has 5 cut outs on the top and 4 cut outs on the bottom for air circulation.)

HMMM, I wonder if mine is from a different car then, like a 88 or 98

August 25th, 2009, 07:12 PM	#1 (permalink)
stevengerard Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 188	1970 original AM/FM Stereo 8 track install Getting near the end of my restoration and seeing that my car is a loud convertible I just assume put in the original stereo and 8 track player. I took out the after market stereo/tape player years ago and am now looking at two different original stereos (that have been in my basement for just as long) 1) AM/FM no fader on right side 2) AM/FM with a fader and the radio connects to a smaller component (amplifier?) From searching the forums it looks like the second one is what goes with the 8-track player. The additional small component is an amplifier(maybe) that mounts near or behind the glove box. Am I correct with this assumption and does anyone have wiring information to hook all three of these items up properly. Thanks. __________________ Steven 1970 442 W-30 Convertible 2004 Mercury Marauder (beaten like a rented mule)

August 25th, 2009, 07:22 PM	#2 (permalink)
2blu442 Moderator Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Medford, Oregon Posts: 2,260	I have a 1970 AM/FM stereo without the 8 track and it has the amplifier too. That may have been a 1970 only item as in 1971 it was combined into one unit. Not sure what 1969 had. John __________________ 1964 Cutlass Factory 4spd 1965 442 4spd 1967 442 Auto 1967 Cutlass Convertible 1967 Cutlass four door daily driver 1968 442 Auto 1969 442 W30 Auto 1970 442 4spd 1971 Cutlass Flat Top Wagon 1973 Che*vy 3/4 Ton 454/TH400 Tow Vehicle Only the tow vehicle is finished!

August 25th, 2009, 10:05 PM	#3 (permalink)
stevengerard Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 188	thanks, and come to think of it do the convertibles have left and right front speakers in 1970 or just a center speaker __________________ Steven 1970 442 W-30 Convertible 2004 Mercury Marauder (beaten like a rented mule)

August 25th, 2009, 10:40 PM	#4 (permalink)
Bluevista Cruisin' the Vistas Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Northeast Ohio Posts: 1,724	They used the AM/FM stereo adapter in some early '71 models, most are the single unit. The CSM has the adapter, assembly manual shows the single unit and has the cancellation of the adapter notation. If the units have all the original wiring connectors on them they're pretty easy to hook up, almost foolproof. The wiring just feeds through the tape player for switching, otherwise the tape player and radio/adapter are stand alone units. Most GM A body convertibles of that era have a center front speaker and another behind the back seat facing rearward. Not real familiar with the rear housing and/or grill on them. wel109.jpg Last edited by Bluevista; August 25th, 2009 at 10:46 PM..

August 25th, 2009, 11:13 PM	#5 (permalink)
stevengerard Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 188	excellent, thanks so much - wiring "should" be "fool proof" but I have to check to make sure all original connectors are there. Thanks again. __________________ Steven 1970 442 W-30 Convertible 2004 Mercury Marauder (beaten like a rented mule)

August 26th, 2009, 03:45 AM	#6 (permalink)
Yellowstatue Certified Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Too close to Toronto!! Posts: 567	Free ID What are the model numbers on your radios...the fullsize stereos have the heat-sinks on the opposite side to Cutlass and therefore hit the dash brace between the radio and glove box... should be something like 03AFM-1 ?... __________________ '57 S88 HC et al; '68 442 M20; '68 442 M21; '68 W30; '68 Vista et al; '80 -'84 Regency et al; '96,'98.'99 Aurora..Ignition ON

August 27th, 2009, 02:31 PM	#9 (permalink)
68Tom Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: New York, NY Posts: 835	Hey Steven, any current "after" photos of your restoration? Would love to see it now. __________________ 1968 Olds 442 Sports Coupe 4-speed/bench seat

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