I’m working on a 1957 Olds Super 88 and need some help. The model # of the radio is 989100.





Are these speaker wires? (The twisted ones).

1. Looking at the back of the radio there is a yellow wire on the left. Where does it connect to?
2. Looking at the back there is a greyish wire on the right side. Where does it connect to?
3. It has a couple of what looks like speaker leads connected to the top. Do they hook up to the + and - of the speaker like a modern one? Or is it common grounded? He took a speaker out of a newer vehicle but has never had it hooked up.

 

I don't have any Delco manuals back that far but my guess is the yellow wire is power, the gray connects to the instrument panel lights (so the radio dial lights up when the dash lights light up) and the 2 twisted wires are the speaker. Do not ground the either terminal of the speaker. Also, it looks like its missing the vibrator (that open socket). Hope this helps.

 

I believe I have a 57 radio some where in my junk. It would be for sale if I find it. I have no idea if it will work but looks to be in good shape if I'm remembering correctly.... Tedd

 

Thanks for the reply. What the heck is the “vibrator” for? Will it work without it?

 

Will not work without a vibrator. I don't know exactly what it does but it does not make the radio vibrate. It is a key part of the radio.

 

Thanks for the help!

 

The vibrator is available as an electronic device which warms up the tubes much more quickly than the previous original item.

 

If you find it I’d definitely be interested in buying it. Please let me know if you find it. Thanks.

 

The vibrator was used to convert the 6 or 12 Volts DC to AC which then a transformer was used to develop a higher voltage AC. The tubes in these radios needed a few hundred volts to operate. They are still available and there are electronic version still available as well.