Got my factory AM radio working today. Now a new problem. Nothing good to listen to..

[Mister-B]

Originally Posted by SS Tim

Antenna trimmer screw, its used to match the antenna to the radio. You would tune the radio to a high station and tweek the screw for best reception. I just don't remember if the stock AM radio has one or if it is front accessable below the tuner shaft.
At night I can get KSL here in the California desert.

Of course there are radio station alternatives as well.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=509151

Hmm. Interesting not sure. The tuner dial has a silver dial behind it that twists. Is that it? If not, does it do anything?
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[SS Tim]

If there is a tuner screw it might be in the radio case below the tuner shaft. You would have to remove the tuner knob and the dummy fader control knob. Then access it through a window in the mounting cup.

[Mister-B]

Originally Posted by SS Tim

If there is a tuner screw it might be in the radio case below the tuner shaft. You would have to remove the tuner knob and the dummy fader control knob. Then access it through a window in the mounting cup.

Here's a pic I found of one in eBay. Looks like there is a screw on the right side. I wonder if that's it?

So how does this work?

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[SS Tim]

That looks like one. Set it to a station up around 1400-1600 and try small changes to see if the station improves. Make sure you note the start position in case it does not work out.

[FirstOwner69]

Way back in the early 70s I tried adjusting the trimmer screw on the original AM. Reception away from the city was worse than I had experienced with any other car AM radio I'd had. I was only able to marginally improve reception. So, I replaced the antenna with another just like the GM original. No better. Then I found another AM in the junkyard, installed and tuned it. Still no better. The antenna grounding was good. That's the reason I'm going with a semi correct AM/FM as I described in the post 16. Of course, the cool factor of the AM/FM is also nice.

I hope you have better luck.

[Mister-B]

Originally Posted by FirstOwner69

Way back in the early 70s I tried adjusting the trimmer screw on the original AM. Reception away from the city was worse than I had experienced with any other car AM radio I'd had. I was only able to marginally improve reception. So, I replaced the antenna with another just like the GM original. No better. Then I found another AM in the junkyard, installed and tuned it. Still no better. The antenna grounding was good. That's the reason I'm going with a semi correct AM/FM as I described in the post 16. Of course, the cool factor of the AM/FM is also nice.

I hope you have better luck.

Good to know. Thanks. Great job on your recent mods btw.

So, how do I check the antenna ground?
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[FirstOwner69]

Originally Posted by Mister-B

Good to know. Thanks. Great job on your recent mods btw.

So, how do I check the antenna ground?
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The antenna grounds directly to the cowl. Be sure there the pivoting block (I'm sure it has a better name) on the antenna that clamps the antenna to the underside of the cowl makes good contact with bare metal and that the cowl to body bolts and screws are not rusty.

[bignbad]

heres what i am doing so i can plug the zune in or my windows 8 phone to the radio

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=509151

[quick60]

Here locally there is Rush Limbaugh at 12 noon on 790 AM and on 850AM 24/7 comedy. Lots of laughs all day.

[SS Tim]

From the assembly manual.

[shawno72]

This is what I did, then added a speaker from an online company that has the correct ohms and it sounds pretty good

[doubleb's69]

Originally Posted by shawno72

This is what I did, then added a speaker from an online company that has the correct ohms and it sounds pretty good

Attachment 1065387

Looks good Shawn.

We have some decent AM channels in Iowa. If you like country there is 540 AM and it seems to reach the entire state. There is also 1350 that plays some good 60'/70's but some bad and also plays the Cubs games in the summer. There is a classic rock station I can only get sometimes. My 72 Cutlass only had the factory AM and my current 69 GMC has the AM still and it works. My wife and I will listen on long car rides on a clear night and try and figure out what the farthest city we can pick up is. So far we have gotten the Denver Colorado area and it was a sports show. I know it was Denver because they played local commercials.

[Daner]

I guess I've never thought of AM radio being less desirable than FM. To be honest I'm very happy when whatever I'm driving has a working radio lol. AM has all I care to listen to (talk radio and country) If I get sick of that I just tune into a Canadian talk radio show.

My Mom said that late at night when she was a kid she could pick up Oklahoma City from Wildrose.

[Katrina/10]

Originally Posted by SS Tim

From the assembly manual.

Thanks, I needed that picture too!

[yote1234]

... ummm yea,am, not much there at all. last truck i hid a kenwood am/fm/cd in the glove box.

[Mister-B]

Originally Posted by SS Tim

From the assembly manual.

This seems to have helped. There's still nothing good to listen to lol, but it does come in more clearly now, with less high pitched squealing.

Also, I moved the antenna cable up. It was draping down over the heater box before
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[blkcorvair]

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=509151

See my Faq. Simple Aux input for less than $10 in parts installed intpo original radio. works perfectly still today. Plug my phone in everytime I go for a spin and I either use the phone to tune in an FM station or I switch to Pandora. Best mod I made. And one of the only ones thats not original!

[SS Tim]

That was a great write up of yours and is actually the third time for the link on this thread. Keep up the good tips!

[Mister-B]

Originally Posted by blkcorvair

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=509151

See my Faq. Simple Aux input for less than $10 in parts installed intpo original radio. works perfectly still today. Plug my phone in everytime I go for a spin and I either use the phone to tune in an FM station or I switch to Pandora. Best mod I made. And one of the only ones thats not original!

That's really cool, but I have two problems that'll keep me from ever doing it.

1. I'm not interested in soldering, and wiring all that stuff
2. The radio was a pain to install, and I'm not about to remove it again and then have to put it all back

I appreciate it though. That's a very neat mod
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[SS Tim]

Its going to be easier the second time. Besides if your wife gets a Blazer and your son a pickup you will need the practice. :-)

[SS Tim]

Originally Posted by Mister-B

This seems to have helped. There's still nothing good to listen to lol, but it does come in more clearly now, with less high pitched squealing.

Just a thought here but do you have the braided engine ground straps, the coil supression capacitor and the heater blower capacitor installed? They are shown well in the assembly manual.

[Mister-B]

Originally Posted by SS Tim

Just a thought here but do you have the braided engine ground straps, the coil supression capacitor and the heater blower capacitor installed? They are shown well in the assembly manual.

I'm starting to notice that when I'm parked, with the engine off, I get a much better signal. So, maybe I have a bad ground, or something? I doubt I have those parts you listed. I'm pretty sure my truck didn't even come with a radio or antenna from the factory


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[SS Tim]

You are right I forgot to even check your SPID. There is someone reproducing the straps I just don't remeber who right now. The supression capacitors should not be that hard to find either.

[Lemield]

Originally Posted by SS Tim

You are right I forgot to even check your SPID. There is someone reproducing the straps I just don't remeber who right now. The supression capacitors should not be that hard to find either.

Here is the link for the ground stap kit. VH stuff is top notch.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ound+strap+kit

[Mister-B]

Originally Posted by Lemield

Here is the link for the ground stap kit. VH stuff is top notch.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ound+strap+kit

Thanks for the info. That's great. What do these straps do, and where do they mount?
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