Do I need to replace a speaker? 1967 Dodge Dart 270

[Hilderbrand1983]

I've posted a couple of threads about "mission-critical" stuff in this restoration, but I'm waiting for some parts to come in and have some down time. I've been doing a lot of detailing ("you got time to lean, you got time to clean"), but I decided to see if I could get the AM radio working on my 1967 Dodge Dart 270 /6.

When I bought the car, the radio would turn on, but produce no sound. Yesterday, I changed the fuse and it now gets reception. However, it only picks up one station and the sound the sole, front speaker produces is very faint. I wouldn't be able to hear the radio at the highest volume over an idling engine, for example.

So, I decided to remove the radio to clean all the contacts / connections. That's when I realized that someone, long ago, broke one of the connectors between the radio and the speaker. To "fix" the problem, they soldered the wire directly onto the contact with the speaker. I suspect this is part of my sound problem.

Should I try to repair the speaker, or should I just swap it out for a new one? I mean, it's fifty years old and these things tend to fail over time. Thoughts?

 

[6pk2goDemon]

We have a member that makes/sells a speaker plate to mount a pair of speakers in the original space. The new technology speakers are much better....

Send him a message '74 Sport

 

[Hilderbrand1983]

We have a member that makes/sells a speaker plate to mount a pair of speakers in the original space. The new technology speakers are much better....

Send him a message '74 Sport

I'm pretty sure I have the 35amp alternator. I intend to upgrade to 50amps ... but with a second speaker, should I plan to go higher than 50?

 

[66fs]

... Should I try to repair the speaker, or should I just swap it out for a new one? I mean, it's fifty years old and these things tend to fail over time. Thoughts?

Should be a 4 x 10 speaker, enjoy! 50 amps will be fine. These cars were wiring systems were not designed for a lot of amps.

 

[6pk2goDemon]

I don't believe a 2nd speaker will be an issue at all with your alternator. Here's some pics of the upgrade with the speaker plate on mine...

 

[TrailBeast]

There isn't chance in hell a speaker is going to affect your charging system unless it's on a HUGE amp. (like over 400 watts) then maybe.
I suspect your radio is the actual problem, but replacing the speaker is a good thing anyway.
Also I solder direct to speaker terminals all the time, as it's a better connection than blade terminals, so that's not the problem.

 

[67Dart273]

I would not waste my time buying and installing a new speaker until you have tested the radio and determined what the problem actually IS

Might be antenna, might be radio, might be bad speaker, might be "normal" for what you have.

And it also might be power, ie a bad connection at the fuse, etc.

Don't you have ANY vehicle with an AM radio? When turned on and up, and between stations, they should produce a fair amount of noise and static, especially if near buildings / power lines etc.

You can test the antenna to "some degree". Unplug it, and bring the connector out. Check resistance from the center pin to the outside of the connector. Should be open, IE infinite. Clip an alligator to the antenna proper. Check resistance to a body ground "for good measure." Again, open. Now with one meter lead clipped to the antenna proper, touch the other lead to the connector center pin. Should be a dead short, IE continuity

You can "rig" a speaker, surely you have a computer speaker lying around? -----to the speaker connections at the radio. Sounds like you do not have a factory fader / rear speaker, but you might want to make sure.

No idea what you have for local stations. Here we only have one in town, it comes in "loud." The Spokamentro stations vary according to location and conditions.

 

[4spdragtop]

Get the bracket and dual speakers like mentioned. I did that with factory am/fm in 67 cuda. Nice to finally have tunes. Make sure to leave some extra wire under there, might make it easier to swap things later on if need be.
Good luck

 

[Darthomas]

Repaired speaker connection should not be a problem. Bad antenna will do that.....
Poor grounding of antenna can do that.

 

[Darthomas]

Original 4 x 10 speaker will have better bass than the two 3.5 inchers on an adapter.
4 by 10 should not be hard to f2f ind, or mounting plate with two end screws.