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#502149 - 04/14/08 11:12 AM
71 Cutlass Radio speaker set-up
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connl
Member
Registered: 08/01/07
Posts: 54
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I have a 71 Cutlass with what appears to be an original AM/FM stereo radio with fader. The radio is currently wired to one rear deck speaker. I'm trying to determine how the original speakers were set up in this car (front,back, both?). I think there is a front speaker, but it is not working. Do I wire the front along with two rear deck speakers? There must have been at least two speakers originally if the radio is stereo. Any impedance issues to be concerned with if I buy new speakers? Thanks. Larry.
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#502161 - 04/14/08 12:25 PM
Re: 71 Cutlass Radio speaker set-up
[Re: connl]
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rocketraider
Long Time Member
Registered: 12/05/01
Posts: 3112
Loc: the Last Capital of Dixie
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For an AM-FM stereo radio without 8-track, there should be a 4x10 front speaker in the dash, and a 6x9 in the passenger side of the package tray. All radios with 8-tracks had two rear speakers playing the right tape deck channel, though I don't know why Olds did it that way.
Factory stereo Cutlass radios thru 1972 used front speaker for left channel and rear speaker(s) for right. It actually worked and sounded pretty good.
You also need to determine if you have an integrated stereo radio, or one with a separate multiplexer amp since wiring is slightly different between them. Look underdash and see if there's a cable about big around as a pencil going toward the right side of the dash from the head unit. If it's there, it has a separate stereo multiplexer amp.
The rear speaker wire from the radio (or multiplexer) is a single dark blue lead since the rear speaker grounds to the car frame. The front speaker wire will be a double, green/black-green stripe wire. Power lead is yellow. The front speaker and power leads plug into a triple cavity plug on back of the unit.
You can find NOS factory GM speakers on ebay fairly often- search "nos delco". Several people offer reconing services if you have a speaker that just needs some help. Expect to pay about $45 per speaker. You do this, you will have that Delco radio sound. If you need to remove the front speaker, you can get at it by removing the A/C manifold and may have to pull the radio itself out for working room. Rear speaker is easy to access from the trunk.
You do need to be careful about impedance. Factory speakers were 10 ohm. An 8 ohm speaker will work but anything more or less than 8-10 is inviting a blown output transistor.
_________________________
Glenn Williamson
Rocketraider
member AACA and all major Olds clubs
"That's a strange concept, Son" said my father as he sampled the day's run of silvery-clear moonshine for taste and quality. "Good 'shine, that. Your grandpap would be proud that the gift has passed on to another generation. But yes, it's real strange that some folks feel like a varmint has more right to illegally inhabit and destroy your property than you have to prevent it from doing it."
"Come to think of it, that's why your Uncle Reade sold off all them rental houses he had. It was costing him more to fix what the varmints tore up than he was making off 'em. And the govamint wouldn't let him evict them."
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#502170 - 04/14/08 12:41 PM
Re: 71 Cutlass Radio speaker set-up
[Re: rocketraider]
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connl
Member
Registered: 08/01/07
Posts: 54
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Glenn,
Great info. Thanks for the help. There is a speaker in the rear passenger package tray. I would have never guessed this was correct. Is it possible to install two, four ohm rear package deck speakers (left and right side) and wire them in series to obtain 8 ohms? Larry
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