how do i get the dash panels apart to swap out a radio in a 72 cutlass supreme.

 

The radio comes out from behind the dash if original 2-**** style.
The A/C ductwork and lower plenum may need to get loosened or removed for more room. Pulling off the lower valiance (chin) may gain you some more wiggle room to get under there.

On mine with a bench seat, I put the seat all the way back and bent myself into a pretzel for a while. I just considered it my free yoga lesson...

If you have a console and buckets, you might have more advanced yoga to do...

 

Yup!, What Rob said.
On the back side there is a 3 connector electrical plug (The yellow wire going into the 3 connector plug is your power wire.) going into the radio, a white plastic static strap attached to the side of the radio and goes to the underside of the dashpad, and the dash antenna plug in. Dont' cut the white plastic strap if you're putting an original Olds radio back in. Undo all these BEFORE you start on the front of the radio.

From the front side, gently pull straight out on the inner *****. Watch for the wave washers that should be underneath, and save them. The Tone and Fader ***** come off really easy. Note: if equipped with a rear fader your radio might have the 3 prongs on the back. Gently ease this assembly straight out. Now you have access to the retaining nuts. Loosen them, spin them off, and your radio will come out really easy from behind the dash.

 

One version of the radio, (flip face, am/fm, stereo), additionally had an amp mounted aboved glove box if I recall... (dusty ole' memory)

 

That would be the pre 1971 model years. Yes they did have an amp where you say, and it needed a special attaching bracket.

 

I believe that was called a "convector" by GM, not an amp...

 

Thanks guys, now i have to figure out what wires go where.

 

What are you installing? Is it original for Olds? If you want I can look up the wiring for you. The yellow is power, I believe blue is the rear speaker. I'm just going from memory right now. Let us know what you're doing and we'll help you solve the riddle.

 

Hey Rob,
A what??? convector? Isn't that the guy who takes your ticket on the train?


Ok, back to reality. Does anyone have or know where you can get the proper mounting bracket for the "convector"? I know they were special mounts but have never really seen one. I have several AM/FM Stereo radios for Olds and 2 of them have this feature. After I clean them up, I might consider putting them up for sale, but I would want to give whoever bought it the proper brackets for a proper restoration.

 

No...
That's the conductor! English is an interesting language...

Now if the engineer runs a train, who designs it to be built??

 

arrgghhh!! Uckaaahah!! Blecchhh!! That's the sound of me biting my tounge because I know you're an engineer. Based on what I've seen of new trains (and that's been a LOT lately) the engineers that design them don't really understand what the guy in the field really wants or needs. BTW, the term you're looking for to describe someone who drives the train is "Motorman". Heavy rail also calls him the "Hog Head". = Don't go there....

Me? I'm just the guy who passes along electrical troubleshooting information so I guess you'd call me a ..... (groan)....semi-conductor.