1971 Mark III AM/FM Radio Removal

[stovebolt1]

Any tricks to removing the AM/FM stereo radio from a 1971 Mark III? I have been able to remove all of the mounting hardware and disconnect the antenna and wires but I cannot find any way to get the chassis out from behind the dash. There simply is not enough space between the lower dash support and the hard plastic duct work running behind the dash and just above the floor. Am I missing something? Does the dial assembly need to be removed from the radio before it comes out? Or does that duct work need to be removed?

Thanks - Stovebolt

 

[Action]

Not sure I can help you there.
Last year I removed the non-stock radio.
To get the radio in there the PO cut the radio bezel in front
Used a couple pieces of metal strap to get it mounted.
And cut every wire and butt connected all of the wiring.

Long ago I bought a new bezel and several AM-FM radio sets in case one did not work.
Last year I started taking things apart and found out what a mess was made.
I got frustrated and kind of walked away from that part of the car.

I will need to make a wire harness end piece to some kind of connectors.
I took the left door panel off and discoved a non-stock speaker and home made wiring.
I don't care about the speaker as 50+ year old speakers are shot anyway.
But the speaker wire used was such a small guage it will need to be removed too.
The speaker wire was smaller than factory wire which is almost too small.

I moved on to engine mounts.

Action

 

[stovebolt1]

It looks like the tube blocking access goes to the drivers side defroster. I wonder if those are fixed together or if that would pop out, it feels very solid.



When I pulled the door speakers out of mine all that was left was the metal housing and a pile of disintegrated cone dust. When I plugged in new speakers the radio actually worked for a short period of time but it has stopped again. It is getting power, and when it turn it on/off I can hear it pop through the speakers so I believe the wiring is good. Thought I would take it out, crack the case, see if there is anything obvious that can be fixed.

Stovebolt

 

[Action]

Those tubes are in sections and of hard plastic. They will not take much bending to break.
They do have metal support brackets in some area of the tube that are bolted to the instrument panel for support.

I do not recall that the tubes were in the way.
Based on the attached picture of the factory radio. (Swiped from eBay)
The front is held on by a bolt in the lower left as looking at the face. AND two nuts around the shafts of the controls.
The rear would be held by a bracket with a single nut on a stud coming from the back of the radio.
OR a bolt from that bracket.

Either one you remove in the back, the bracket will need to be bent a lil to release the radio.

Then the radio would have to be pushed towards the front of the vehicle and dropped down.

Action

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[stovebolt1]

Got her out. I did have to pull the defroster tube out of the main duct work. The tube doesn't come out completely but when detached from the main duct you can push it back about an inch which is just enough to squeeze the radio out. It's very tight. The radio dial/band selector bar section is considerably larger, on an AM/FM version of the radio, than the one pictured. That extra size is what made it tough to remove.

Cracked the top of the radio case open and don't see anything obvious.

I'm torn between ordering an aftermarket replacement (one of those digital ones), or getting this one repaired, or waiting for a used one to show up on eBay. Biggest problem will be finding someone that works on old radios as my strong preference would be to retain the original. I've got some research to do.

Stovebolt

 

[Action]

Kudos on your success.

I think I have 3 AM/FM radios for the event when I do get it back to stock.
Just for that reason. If one isn't good then I have others to use.
There is a non-working unit on ebay now. Not sure if the seller knows for sure if it works or not so has had it listed as non-working.
I may be mistaken, and I think the radios are year specific. The one on eBay has a 1970 engineering number.
If I did not have enough already I might be tempted to buy that one.

I have done the same for the power antenna. (bought more than one) However that lil project is finished on my ride.

Action

 

[stovebolt1]

Hey, while we're on the topic of radios - does the AM/FM Stereo radio option come with a speaker in the center of the dash? I see an open spot in my dash, but no speaker. I do have the speakers in the doors and the back seat. A single speaker up front might cancel out the stereo effect.

Stovebolt

 

[Action]

Do not know for sure with out a deep dive into publications.
My guess would be that AM and AM/8-Track have the instrument panel mounted speak and zero door speakers.
AM/FM would have door speakers.

This guy has done a lot of research on his Mark III and Eldorado.

1971 Lincoln Continental Standard Equipment and Options

1971 Lincoln Continental Mark III options

eldorado-seville.com

Action

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[stovebolt1]

I found a gentleman that will perform a radio "conversion" removing the old guts of the radio and replacing them with brand new technology/features while retaining the stock look. Not the cheapest option but I've spent a couple of weeks trying to find someone that will repair the radio and only found one taker who wasn't really a radio repair person, but said he would give it a try. Bonus: The conversion guy is literally 10 minutes from my home so no packing/shipping. Sometimes fate sends you a sign.

Stovebolt

 

[discodoc]

I found a gentleman that will perform a radio "conversion" removing the old guts of the radio and replacing them with brand new technology/features while retaining the stock look. Not the cheapest option but I've spent a couple of weeks trying to find someone that will repair the radio and only found one taker who wasn't really a radio repair person, but said he would give it a try. Bonus: The conversion guy is literally 10 minutes from my home so no packing/shipping. Sometimes fate sends you a sign.

Stovebolt

Would you mind sharing this contact?

 

[stovebolt1]

Muscle Car Radio Conversions

Old car radio conversion. We convert old car radios to AM FM Stereo. With optional USB and Bluetooth.

www.mcrconversions.com

Great guy to work with, located in Minnesota.

 

[basskleff]

Hi Stovebolt1,

I am reading through "Mark III" threads here. I did an advanced search for "Mark III" in titles only. The results are all yours!
They're interesting. Going to keep reading.

I am seriously considering purchasing a 1971. I would love to speak with you about what looks like your restoring yours.
And, maybe you're in Mn? My prospect car is in Mn. Imagine that.
Sorry, I just joined yesterday. Earning direct messaging ability is a little clunky. (Remember when?) So I can't message yet, is the point.
Been posting back and forth a little with Action about my prospect car.
I don't know how active you are here checking in.

Anyhow, I'll keep reading.
If you are in Mn, my prospect car is in the Minneapolis area. I'm in Mass.
I'm not ready to crack just yet, but getting closer. I wondered if there were some good Minneapolis mechanics to hire for an inspection.
This car looks super nice. I've spoken with the owner a few times. Just haven't seen underside pics for example. And potentially flying out there, I would want to do things right and smoothly. Drive the car, have it looked over, then buy it, etc.

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