old-tank Posted July 28, 2005 Share Posted July 28, 2005 Just looking for some recommendations on radio repair. This includes good and bad experiences.ThanksWillie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 28, 2005 Share Posted July 28, 2005 99% of all tube radio failers is the vibrator that buzzes, and chopsthe dc current in ac currnet by flipping back and forth inside a tincan in the radio.The vibrator has double points that stick together for not beingused.If you pop the back of the radio off, pull out the vibrator, a tincan with four plug on the bottom, uncrimp the can, and open it up,you will find the double flapper points.Just sand them down a little, and you will be back in radio heven. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bhigdog Posted July 28, 2005 Share Posted July 28, 2005 If you are looking for someone to repair/restore your Buick tube type radio I can't speak highly enough of Alan Kriss. He advertises in the Bugle. Outstanding work at a fair price.......Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Stoneberg Posted July 29, 2005 Share Posted July 29, 2005 Willie,I had mine rebuilt by Classic Radio. They pulled everything out and replaced all the electronic components. Not cheap but it looks and sounds great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barney Eaton Posted July 29, 2005 Share Posted July 29, 2005 I am at the Corvair national meet in Portland and Fred Bybee is here from the Kansas City area. Fred repairs radios and clocks and you might give him a try.He has done work for Buick owners in his area.His phone number is 913-599-2303 and will be a that number after 8-4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Albert Posted July 30, 2005 Share Posted July 30, 2005 I have found the viburator a major problem, but you can now buy solid state ones as a replacement, but you should replace at least the 1600V .006mf cap in the powersupply before you go to far, it is also not a bad idea to replace all the old wax paper type capactors as well, as most will have dried out with age. I have done many radios myself for less than $6 worth of capactors, using mylars as a replacement. In about 12 radios i have found one tube went bad after a month or so of use. I have the red circle is the 1600v cap the blue is some of the others there is about 8-10 caps in total. This is a Packard radio but is almost the same as the buicks and Chevs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old-tank Posted July 30, 2005 Author Share Posted July 30, 2005 Thanks for all the suggestions...keep them coming. Right now I am leaning to send the unit to Alan Kriss, since his ballpark estimate is reasonable.I have already done in the past all of the capacitors, solid state vibrator and replaced the rectifier tube with diodes.Dang those things are HEAVY...shipping will eat up a big chunk of change.Willie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrbuick714 Posted July 31, 2005 Share Posted July 31, 2005 If your radio has an 0Z4,try a new one. This was a gas-filled tube which was used in later 6 volt units and up into 12 volt cars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
74455 Posted August 1, 2005 Share Posted August 1, 2005 Eastern Electronics in Hackensack, NJ does good work. (201) 342-3945. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest wksheldon Posted August 1, 2005 Share Posted August 1, 2005 Hi Willie:I used Alan to rebuild the clock on my Special and he was great. Good price and quick turnaround time. Hope all is well in Seguin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imported_buick5563 Posted August 2, 2005 Share Posted August 2, 2005 Hi Willie,I just found the receipt for my radio that was converted to solid state and an FM conversion done.It was done at:Antique Radio Service12 Shawmut Ave.Wayland, Mass. 01778508-653-2418It worked great until I blew it up trying to get off the highway after running out of gas. I was pushing the accelerator pedal to the floor trying to get it to go and the starter engaged...POP!It was $364.50 which apparently I will have to spend again since the fuse didn't blow. I don't think they did any cosmetics but it looked good already.Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Stoneberg Posted August 2, 2005 Share Posted August 2, 2005 You mean you had your radio rebuilt but didn't get your fuel gauge fixed at the same time ?Good thing you weren't in the hills of Kentucky when that happened. Its a long way between gas stations.I will have to remember the radio next time I judge your car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old-tank Posted August 2, 2005 Author Share Posted August 2, 2005 Thanks for all of the replys and comments. I sent the radio to Alan Kriss. He does not do FM converstions but told me about a device from 'back when' that I had never heard about. It is and FM converter. Seems it plugs into the antenna wire between the radio and antenna to enable FM reception. I already bought one for $38 on ebay...never could resist gadgets! I already have an FM transmitter attached to my Walkman cd player. Now I will be able to listen to Blasmusik all the way to Rochester.Willie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest radiodoc Posted January 16, 2011 Share Posted January 16, 2011 I repair classic car radios; tube/ transistor. No FM conversionsBarry Dalton-Antique Radio Doctor1489 Rogue River HwyGrants Pass, OR 97527541 474 2524radiodoc@rvi.netRadio Days | KDRV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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