I realize this is hardly an engine-related topic, but I thought I'd check if anyone here has had experience with their 50's vintage Ford AM radios.

I have a Bendix model in my '59 Galaxie, and it's specifically referenced in the service manual.  I get no sound at all out of it, but have tested the speaker, replaced all tubes, and confirmed that power is supplied to the radio (and that the power switch works).  I don't know where to go from here but would rather learn how to fix it then send it off someplace.

I would appreciate suggestions on where to start.  Perhaps a library would have usedful literature?

1954 Crestline Victoria 312 4-bbl, 3-speed overdrive

1959 probably still used a vibrator in the power supply. It was necessary to convert dc to ac so voltage could be stepped up. Many totally dead radios have either a bad OZ4 tube in the power supply or the vibrator is dead.

Kenneth

Fredricksburg, Texas

Larry's T-Bird has tubes and vib's.  www.larrystbird.com--   Hope this helps!!  God Bless  Eddie

Eddie

Lake Forest, Ca. 92630

Do all the tubes light up?  I hope you have the old tubes, and didn't discard them.   Plug in a known-good antenna, speakers, and power (12-volt car battery) on your non-conductive bench.  Use the original tubes and swap them one at a time.  Meaning, when you swap a new tube and there is no difference, reinstall the old tube and go to the next.  USUALLY (said with caution), a capacitor dries-out and stops working.

My '59 Galaxie came with a "Town & Country" radio, a Motorola model 95-MF (9BFA-18806-B).  It uses two power transistors (just above each knob), which elliminates the vibrator.  Also, ALL voltages inside, doen't exceed 13-volts.  The old vibrator models produced 250-volts and could be very dangerous to poke around.

The best way to troubleshoot is by following a schematic, produced by Sams (Photofact Folder).  They are still available for around $15-$20.  Each Photofact Folder is specific to ONE radio.  I do not have one for your radio, but you can find one on eBay.  All you need is the model number.  Look on the back or sides where it is stamped into the sheet metal.  Yours probably starts with 9BF  or 95BF.

Hope this helps.  - Dave

Royal Oak, Michigan (Four miles north of Detroit, and 12 miles NORTH of Windsor, Canada).  That's right, we're north of Canada.

Ford 292 Y-Block major overhaul by simplyconnected

I had trouble with my 1955 radio and I learned you can tell if the vibrator is working after you turn it on you should hear a buzzing sound.

All the tubes do indeed light up, though some appear brighter than others, perhaps due to the location of the silvery stuff that likes to accumulate in the tip.  I kept all of my old tubes; I believe they're all in good working order at this point because they all lit up too.

How do I check the antenna?  I have never understood how that component could fail aside from being broken off at the base or something.  My antenna and cable appear to be in good shape, though the antenna base is not securely bolted to the fender.

I tested my speaker by wiring it into a household stereo with detachable speakers and it worked fine, so I assume it can be marked off the troubleshooting list.

My radio is a 94BF Bendix unit with one power transistor (if I recall correctly).  Is the schematic you (Dave) refer to a troubleshooting schematic, or more of a wiring diagram?

And timmy4, how audible is that buzzing sound?  I think I might have a vibrator, and if I do I have never noticed a buzzing sound.

Thanks everyone!

1954 Crestline Victoria 312 4-bbl, 3-speed overdrive

If your radio is one that uses a vibrator when you first turn it on you should hear a very definite buzz from the radio itself,not the speaker.If no buzz the vibrator is bad or not making good contact.

 

Paul,

Boonville,MO

I'm beginning to think I don't have a vibrator after all.  I definitely have one power transistor.  The only component in my set that culd be a vibrator seems to be permanently stuck to the circuit board.  Also, the pictures in my shop manual show model 95MF also having this component, and we already know that unit doesnt have a vibrator.

So if I don't have a vibrator, where else would I look for trouble?  None of the condensors look bad.  Eveything looks remarkably well-preserved, actually.

1954 Crestline Victoria 312 4-bbl, 3-speed overdrive

Vibrators are replaceable and they plug-in like tubes.  They look like giant electrolytic capacitors.  You probably don't have one.  The permanently-mounted silver thing is three capacitors in one can.

Capacitors never show wear, but they can be bench-tested.  Antennas need positive contact.  Years of outdoor weather can corrode the connectors inside your antenna (it happened to mine).  The good part is, car antennas are real cheap.  If you have a spare, you can test it by plugging it in, then hang it out the window.  Next to where it plugs in, there is an antenna trim pot (screw).  Every antenna is a little different, so after plugging one in, turn the screw to get the best reception.

Sam's Photofacts shows the entire radio with pictures of both sides.  They label every component, show a complete parts list, describe alignment instructions, and they show a centerfold schematic including resistance readings and voltages on every tube grid and cathode.  The heaters and filiments are straight forward.

Your radio is not stereo, not FM, no reverb... just a simple AM radio with five or six tubes.  It is hand-wired point-to-point, which makes it nearly bullet-proof and very fixable.  It is much easier to fix on a bench than in your dash.

Hope this helps.  - Dave

Royal Oak, Michigan (Four miles north of Detroit, and 12 miles NORTH of Windsor, Canada).  That's right, we're north of Canada.

Ford 292 Y-Block major overhaul by simplyconnected

Ebay has a PHOTOFACT book for $10+

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1959-FORD-94BF-B9A-18805-A-B9AF-18806-D-RADIO-PHOTOFACT_W0QQitemZ380108032128QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item5880344880&_trksid=p4506.m20.l1116

Royal Oak, Michigan (Four miles north of Detroit, and 12 miles NORTH of Windsor, Canada).  That's right, we're north of Canada.

Ford 292 Y-Block major overhaul by simplyconnected