Adding an AM/FM Decal - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

70LonghornCST · 01-21-2012, 03:51 AM

I recently acquired an early model van AM/FM radio. It has the Delco inscribed on the lens, which made me think it was an original truck radio. I later found out that it wasn't. The letting on the dial drum was white and a different font. I purchased some reproduction truck AM/FM drum decals to install. However, I could not find any write-up for installing any. So, being the do-it-your-selfer, I decided to do my own write-up.

So, here it goes...

1. Remove the 5 sheet metal screws on the top of the radio.

70LonghornCST · 01-21-2012, 03:52 AM

2. Remove the top cover. Be careful not too pull to hard so you don't damage the radio light connection at the circuit board.

70LonghornCST · 01-21-2012, 03:56 AM

3. Remove the light bulb from the light housing. Then unclip the light housing from the top radio plate. This will allow you access into the radio to unscrew the two sheet metal screws that fasten the dial drum housing (see step #5).

70LonghornCST · 01-21-2012, 04:02 AM

4. Next, remove the front face plate. Remove the flat nuts on the radio shafts. Then, remove the four sheet metal screws holding down the face plate, remove the plate.

70LonghornCST · 01-21-2012, 04:12 AM

5. Looking down into the radio as it lays flat right side up, you will see two sheet metal screws-one on the left side, and one on the right side of the radio dial drum housing. Carefully remove each of these screws. You will need to move the radio station from one left, then to the right in orider to allow enough room to access the screws. Be careful not to let the screws fall into the radio. The sheet metal screw on the left has a skinny, flat piece of metal that rests on the dial indicator. Study its resting position before removing so you are confident when it comes time to reinstall the screws.

70LonghornCST · 01-21-2012, 04:17 AM

6. From the front face of the radio, carefully remove the dial drum housing. BE CAREFUL as to NOT stress the dial adjustment string...remember, it's 40+ years old and likely to be on the brittle side. Also be careful not to scratch the orange paint on the back side of the indicator needle as you remove the dial drum housing.

70LonghornCST · 01-21-2012, 04:26 AM

7. Clean the AM/FM drum with water and a Q-Tip. I did this step out of order. It will actually be easier to clean once you remove the dial drum from its housing.

Tuff Gong · 01-21-2012, 04:33 AM

this is a nice thread. What is the small metal piece on the left side for? Sorry, just realized I should have waited until your steps where done to comment.

70LonghornCST · 01-21-2012, 04:34 AM

8. Remove the dial drum from its housing: In order to do this without causing any damage, you will have to spin the dial inside of the housing until the little plastic tab on the right end of the plast drum lines up with the hole on the right side of the houseing (shown in this picture). Shift the drum so the little pin slips into the hole. This will allow you carefully lift the left side of the drum up and out of the housing. Be careful to study the position of the tension spring on the right side. Note the direction that it sits on the its pin.

70LonghornCST · 01-21-2012, 04:39 AM

9. Next, you will need to prepare your decal. They are printed with a bit of extra black area that you will need to cut off to fit properly. Take some measurements off of your original dial and mark your decal for cutting. Once the decal is cut, remove the backing paper and carefull apply it to the drum. Be careful when applying it so you do not get any air bubbles.

70LonghornCST · 01-21-2012, 04:52 AM

10. Once the decal is firmly in place, reverse the order of removal. Take your time. Be sure to remember when reinstalling the face plate that you line up the AM/FM switch lever with the indicator shaft so it will flip to AM/FM when you move the lever.

Once it's all back together, enjoy your new truck AM/FM radio

I hope this write-up helps.

-Richard

70LonghornCST · 01-21-2012, 05:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Atkinson

this is a nice thread. What is the small metal piece on the left side for? Sorry, just realized I should have waited until your steps where done to comment.

No problem, Brian. I am not sure what that piece of metal is for. It's either for tesion on the AM/FM switch so it is not sloppy, or to keep it from traveling too far in a given direction. I'm just guessing, though.

rsavage · 01-21-2012, 06:35 AM

Thanks for the great how-to and pictorial. Hope the moderators make it a sticky.

sleepertruck72 · 01-23-2012, 03:06 AM

Nice Job Richard

bollybib · 01-23-2012, 12:11 PM

Nice job x 2.

sameyrasmea72 · 01-23-2012, 01:23 PM

Cool write up !!! Hope this helps with my radio. One day I looked down and the dial was just missing. I hope it is an easy fix. I bet it would be difficult to find parts.

**RenoKeene** · 01-23-2012, 03:36 PM

Thanks for sharing, you are very talented...I read your build thread too.

**70shortfleet** · 01-23-2012, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sameyrasmea72

Cool write up !!! Hope this helps with my radio. One day I looked down and the dial was just missing. I hope it is an easy fix. I bet it would be difficult to find parts.

I think your string broke and the drum rolled around to the backside

sameyrasmea72 · 01-23-2012, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 70shortfleet

I think your string broke and the drum rolled around to the backside

Is that an easy fix??? The radio worked fine but now I get nothing.

VA72C10 · 01-23-2012, 06:49 PM

Nice writeup! Recommended for FAQ!

70LonghornCST · 01-29-2012, 02:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rsavage

Thanks for the great how-to and pictorial. Hope the moderators make it a sticky.

My pleasure! I wanted a thread like this but could not find one...so I decided I'd make one for myself and others.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sleepertruck72

Nice Job Richard

Thank you Jorge!

Quote:

Originally Posted by bollybib

Nice job x 2.

Thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by sameyrasmea72

Cool write up !!! Hope this helps with my radio. One day I looked down and the dial was just missing. I hope it is an easy fix. I bet it would be difficult to find parts.

Thanks, Jason. I talked to your dad a few nights ago about firewall grease pencil markings. I also think your string broke. The removal procedure that I have posted will give you access to where you need to go. You will need to get a very tough nylon type string to re-tie your dial. It will be a little bid tedious tying a small string, but very doable. I had to do that once.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RenoKeene

Thanks for sharing, you are very talented...I read your build thread too.

Thanks for the compliments

Quote:

Originally Posted by VA72C10

Nice writeup! Recommended for FAQ!

Thank you, Jonathan!

augie · 02-18-2012, 08:31 PM

Awesome write up Richard a copy can now be found in the FAQ area http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=509765 Thanks!

70LonghornCST · 02-19-2012, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by augie

Awesome write up Richard a copy can now be found in the FAQ area http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=509765 Thanks!

Awsome! Thank you, Augie! I hope it serves as a useful thread for some of your board members.
-Richard

01-21-2012, 03:51 AM	#1
70LonghornCST Moderator Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Modesto, CA Posts: 5,775	Adding an AM/FM Decal I recently acquired an early model van AM/FM radio. It has the Delco inscribed on the lens, which made me think it was an original truck radio. I later found out that it wasn't. The letting on the dial drum was white and a different font. I purchased some reproduction truck AM/FM drum decals to install. However, I could not find any write-up for installing any. So, being the do-it-your-selfer, I decided to do my own write-up. So, here it goes... 1. Remove the 5 sheet metal screws on the top of the radio. Attached Images __________________ 2018 Chevy Crew Cab 2006 Impala SS 1965 Plymouth Sport Fury 1970 Chevy Longhorn Bucket Seats Shoulder Belts Front Tow Hooks Factory Air Factory Speedwarning, Tach & Vaccum Factory Tilt CST Package AM/FM Radio Bumper Guards Richard 70 Longhorn CST Build Adding an AM/FM Decal Last edited by 70LonghornCST; 01-21-2012 at 04:57 AM.

01-21-2012, 03:52 AM	#2
70LonghornCST Moderator Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Modesto, CA Posts: 5,775	Re: Adding an AM/FM Decal 2. Remove the top cover. Be careful not too pull to hard so you don't damage the radio light connection at the circuit board. Attached Images __________________ 2018 Chevy Crew Cab 2006 Impala SS 1965 Plymouth Sport Fury 1970 Chevy Longhorn Bucket Seats Shoulder Belts Front Tow Hooks Factory Air Factory Speedwarning, Tach & Vaccum Factory Tilt CST Package AM/FM Radio Bumper Guards Richard 70 Longhorn CST Build Adding an AM/FM Decal

01-21-2012, 03:56 AM	#3
70LonghornCST Moderator Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Modesto, CA Posts: 5,775	Re: Adding an AM/FM Decal 3. Remove the light bulb from the light housing. Then unclip the light housing from the top radio plate. This will allow you access into the radio to unscrew the two sheet metal screws that fasten the dial drum housing (see step #5). Attached Images __________________ 2018 Chevy Crew Cab 2006 Impala SS 1965 Plymouth Sport Fury 1970 Chevy Longhorn Bucket Seats Shoulder Belts Front Tow Hooks Factory Air Factory Speedwarning, Tach & Vaccum Factory Tilt CST Package AM/FM Radio Bumper Guards Richard 70 Longhorn CST Build Adding an AM/FM Decal Last edited by 70LonghornCST; 01-21-2012 at 04:19 AM.

01-21-2012, 04:02 AM	#4
70LonghornCST Moderator Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Modesto, CA Posts: 5,775	Re: Adding an AM/FM Decal 4. Next, remove the front face plate. Remove the flat nuts on the radio shafts. Then, remove the four sheet metal screws holding down the face plate, remove the plate. Attached Images __________________ 2018 Chevy Crew Cab 2006 Impala SS 1965 Plymouth Sport Fury 1970 Chevy Longhorn Bucket Seats Shoulder Belts Front Tow Hooks Factory Air Factory Speedwarning, Tach & Vaccum Factory Tilt CST Package AM/FM Radio Bumper Guards Richard 70 Longhorn CST Build Adding an AM/FM Decal

01-21-2012, 04:17 AM	#6
70LonghornCST Moderator Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Modesto, CA Posts: 5,775	Re: Adding an AM/FM Decal 6. From the front face of the radio, carefully remove the dial drum housing. BE CAREFUL as to NOT stress the dial adjustment string...remember, it's 40+ years old and likely to be on the brittle side. Also be careful not to scratch the orange paint on the back side of the indicator needle as you remove the dial drum housing. Attached Images __________________ 2018 Chevy Crew Cab 2006 Impala SS 1965 Plymouth Sport Fury 1970 Chevy Longhorn Bucket Seats Shoulder Belts Front Tow Hooks Factory Air Factory Speedwarning, Tach & Vaccum Factory Tilt CST Package AM/FM Radio Bumper Guards Richard 70 Longhorn CST Build Adding an AM/FM Decal Last edited by 70LonghornCST; 01-21-2012 at 04:23 AM.

01-21-2012, 04:12 AM	#5
70LonghornCST Moderator Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Modesto, CA Posts: 5,775	Re: Adding an AM/FM Decal 5. Looking down into the radio as it lays flat right side up, you will see two sheet metal screws-one on the left side, and one on the right side of the radio dial drum housing. Carefully remove each of these screws. You will need to move the radio station from one left, then to the right in orider to allow enough room to access the screws. Be careful not to let the screws fall into the radio. The sheet metal screw on the left has a skinny, flat piece of metal that rests on the dial indicator. Study its resting position before removing so you are confident when it comes time to reinstall the screws. Attached Images __________________ 2018 Chevy Crew Cab 2006 Impala SS 1965 Plymouth Sport Fury 1970 Chevy Longhorn Bucket Seats Shoulder Belts Front Tow Hooks Factory Air Factory Speedwarning, Tach & Vaccum Factory Tilt CST Package AM/FM Radio Bumper Guards Richard 70 Longhorn CST Build Adding an AM/FM Decal Last edited by 70LonghornCST; 01-21-2012 at 04:22 AM.

01-21-2012, 04:26 AM	#7
70LonghornCST Moderator Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Modesto, CA Posts: 5,775	Re: Adding an AM/FM Decal 7. Clean the AM/FM drum with water and a Q-Tip. I did this step out of order. It will actually be easier to clean once you remove the dial drum from its housing. Attached Images __________________ 2018 Chevy Crew Cab 2006 Impala SS 1965 Plymouth Sport Fury 1970 Chevy Longhorn Bucket Seats Shoulder Belts Front Tow Hooks Factory Air Factory Speedwarning, Tach & Vaccum Factory Tilt CST Package AM/FM Radio Bumper Guards Richard 70 Longhorn CST Build Adding an AM/FM Decal

01-21-2012, 04:33 AM	#8
Tuff Gong Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Glendale, AZ Posts: 3,178	Re: Adding an AM/FM Decal this is a nice thread. What is the small metal piece on the left side for? Sorry, just realized I should have waited until your steps where done to comment.

01-21-2012, 04:34 AM	#9
70LonghornCST Moderator Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Modesto, CA Posts: 5,775	Re: Adding an AM/FM Decal 8. Remove the dial drum from its housing: In order to do this without causing any damage, you will have to spin the dial inside of the housing until the little plastic tab on the right end of the plast drum lines up with the hole on the right side of the houseing (shown in this picture). Shift the drum so the little pin slips into the hole. This will allow you carefully lift the left side of the drum up and out of the housing. Be careful to study the position of the tension spring on the right side. Note the direction that it sits on the its pin. Attached Images __________________ 2018 Chevy Crew Cab 2006 Impala SS 1965 Plymouth Sport Fury 1970 Chevy Longhorn Bucket Seats Shoulder Belts Front Tow Hooks Factory Air Factory Speedwarning, Tach & Vaccum Factory Tilt CST Package AM/FM Radio Bumper Guards Richard 70 Longhorn CST Build Adding an AM/FM Decal

01-21-2012, 04:39 AM	#10
70LonghornCST Moderator Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Modesto, CA Posts: 5,775	Re: Adding an AM/FM Decal 9. Next, you will need to prepare your decal. They are printed with a bit of extra black area that you will need to cut off to fit properly. Take some measurements off of your original dial and mark your decal for cutting. Once the decal is cut, remove the backing paper and carefull apply it to the drum. Be careful when applying it so you do not get any air bubbles. Attached Images __________________ 2018 Chevy Crew Cab 2006 Impala SS 1965 Plymouth Sport Fury 1970 Chevy Longhorn Bucket Seats Shoulder Belts Front Tow Hooks Factory Air Factory Speedwarning, Tach & Vaccum Factory Tilt CST Package AM/FM Radio Bumper Guards Richard 70 Longhorn CST Build Adding an AM/FM Decal Last edited by 70LonghornCST; 01-21-2012 at 03:44 PM.

01-21-2012, 04:52 AM	#11
70LonghornCST Moderator Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Modesto, CA Posts: 5,775	Re: Adding an AM/FM Decal 10. Once the decal is firmly in place, reverse the order of removal. Take your time. Be sure to remember when reinstalling the face plate that you line up the AM/FM switch lever with the indicator shaft so it will flip to AM/FM when you move the lever. Once it's all back together, enjoy your new truck AM/FM radio I hope this write-up helps. -Richard Attached Images __________________ 2018 Chevy Crew Cab 2006 Impala SS 1965 Plymouth Sport Fury 1970 Chevy Longhorn Bucket Seats Shoulder Belts Front Tow Hooks Factory Air Factory Speedwarning, Tach & Vaccum Factory Tilt CST Package AM/FM Radio Bumper Guards Richard 70 Longhorn CST Build Adding an AM/FM Decal

01-21-2012, 06:35 AM	#13
rsavage Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Alden NY Posts: 2,705	Re: Adding an AM/FM Decal Thanks for the great how-to and pictorial. Hope the moderators make it a sticky. __________________ 1961 C1 Corvette 1959 El Camino 350 TPI, 9" 4 w disc 69 Blazer K5 - sold July '20 2021 Durango RT 5.7

01-23-2012, 03:06 AM	#14
sleepertruck72 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Turlock California 95380 Posts: 2,075	Re: Adding an AM/FM Decal Nice Job Richard __________________ 72 C20 Longbed 05 1500 Z71

01-23-2012, 12:11 PM	#15
bollybib Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Carlsbad, CA Posts: 1,584	Re: Adding an AM/FM Decal Nice job x 2. __________________ - Jim - My Daily Driver is a 1969 Chevrolet Custom/20 Fleetside 350/TH400/Eaton H052 4.10 and its Project thread is here http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=456911

01-23-2012, 01:23 PM	#16
sameyrasmea72 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 2,443	Re: Adding an AM/FM Decal Cool write up !!! Hope this helps with my radio. One day I looked down and the dial was just missing. I hope it is an easy fix. I bet it would be difficult to find parts. Attached Images __________________ 72 Cheyenne Super 80 Silverado Blazer 2wd



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01-23-2012, 03:36 PM	#17
RenoKeene Florida Edition Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Fruitland Park, FL Posts: 4,028	Re: Adding an AM/FM Decal Thanks for sharing, you are very talented...I read your build thread too. __________________ 70 GMC Short Stepside "Rose"-An American Beauty: Factory 402/TH400, AM/FM, AC, Tilt, Tach, Buckets, Posi, PS, PB, 3-5 Drop, Complete Resto-Rod 67 C-20 Slant Back Wrecker "Mad Max" 67 C-10 Ratrod "Step-N-Wolf" 71 Serro Scotty Sportsman camper "Scotty" 97 LT1 Z28 "The Hornet" Link to more pics of "Rose" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...p?albumid=1684 Check out my "Cheap Tricks" thread and add to it if you can, lots of good info there. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=489394

01-23-2012, 06:49 PM	#20
VA72C10 VA72C10 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Midlothian, VA Posts: 25,267	Re: Adding an AM/FM Decal Nice writeup! Recommended for FAQ! __________________ Looking for a 67-72 swb or blazer project in or around VA.

02-18-2012, 08:31 PM	#22
augie Waiting for Paul to Open Safe Join Date: May 2005 Location: Everett, WA Posts: 4,570	Re: Adding an AM/FM Decal Awesome write up Richard a copy can now be found in the FAQ area http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=509765 Thanks! __________________ Norwood Survivor http://squarebody.net

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