Two questions regarding the stereo and a third question regarding the clock

[Pclancy]

Gentlemen:

My 77 Newport came with an AM only radio/tape deck. I decided that I wanted an FM band also and because I wanted to keep the car with original equipment I....

Bought a used AM/FM stereo radio tape deck from Murray's (the model pictured on page 11 of the 1977 Chrysler sales brochure) and then had it restored by Joe's classic car radio.

Question one: Regarding the removal of the original radio/tape deck, are there any tricks or lessons learned here? I have a service manual. I assume that the instrument panel bezel needs to be removed. Anything to watch out for? I assume the dah cover does not need to be removed?

My vehicle has 4 speakers--two under the dash and two in the rear shelf. I believe these to be the original speakers. For the rear shelf, I think the size is approx 5X7". While I can only see the rear deck speakers (by crawling around in the trunk), they are marked "Deluxe" and they have a bunch of numbers on the magnet plus what I think is a Chrysler symbol.

Question two: Does anyone know if these are 8 or 4 OHM speakers? They use a common ground system--that is, one wire only leading to the positive terminal. The thought occurred to me to replace these as well, but I am unsure of which ones to buy if I do that. Since I would be using the original stereo amp, which is very low powered and common grounded, sourcing correct replacement speakers is not at all easy. The current speakers sound ok-good, and look in very good condition and so part of me says leave it alone. The other part of me says they are probably almost 40 years old.....

Finally, my original clock (with minute and second hands) ticks but does not keep time. Again, I went to Murray's and bought an electronic digital clock/chronometer (the one pictured on page 10 of the 1977 Chrysler sales brochure). This is now being restored. I figured that while I was replacing the radio, I would replace the clock as well.

Question three: Is the wiring different? Any tricks or lessons learned here?

Thanks tons folks for all your help!

 

[cantflip]

Gentlemen:

My 77 Newport came with an AM only radio/tape deck. I decided that I wanted an FM band also and because I wanted to keep the car with original equipment I....

Bought a used AM/FM stereo radio tape deck from Murray's (the model pictured on page 11 of the 1977 Chrysler sales brochure) and then had it restored by Joe's classic car radio.

Question one: Regarding the removal of the original radio/tape deck, are there any tricks or lessons learned here? I have a service manual. I assume that the instrument panel bezel needs to be removed. Anything to watch out for? I assume the dah cover does not need to be removed?

My vehicle has 4 speakers--two under the dash and two in the rear shelf. I believe these to be the original speakers. For the rear shelf, I think the size is approx 5X7". While I can only see the rear deck speakers (by crawling around in the trunk), they are marked "Deluxe" and they have a bunch of numbers on the magnet plus what I think is a Chrysler symbol.

Question two: Does anyone know if these are 8 or 4 OHM speakers? They use a common ground system--that is, one wire only leading to the positive terminal. The thought occurred to me to replace these as well, but I am unsure of which ones to buy if I do that. Since I would be using the original stereo amp, which is very low powered and common grounded, sourcing correct replacement speakers is not at all easy. The current speakers sound ok-good, and look in very good condition and so part of me says leave it alone. The other part of me says they are probably almost 40 years old.....

Finally, my original clock (with minute and second hands) ticks but does not keep time. Again, I went to Murray's and bought an electronic digital clock/chronometer (the one pictured on page 10 of the 1977 Chrysler sales brochure). This is now being restored. I figured that while I was replacing the radio, I would replace the clock as well.

Question three: Is the wiring different? Any tricks or lessons learned here?

Thanks tons folks for all your help!

The FSM should walk you through all of that pretty nicely, but if you get into a specific issue, post a photo with the question and the responses show flow.

 

[Big_John]

If your original analog clock doesn't keep time, it's a pretty simple fix. They are self regulating and by correcting the time manually, the clock will soon regulate itself and start keeping the correct time. Just reset the time every day (or whenever you get in the car) and pretty soon, it will keep correct time.

The digital clock has no soul and should not be installed.

Generally, 8 ohm speakers are for home use and 4 ohm speakers for automotive. There are exceptions on both sides, but a stock system will be 4 ohms.

 

[traintech55]

I have done these changes many times. For the radio, remove the front cover, should be six or seven Phillips screws at the bottom of the cover then carefully pull away from the dash, You will find two mounting screws holding the radio in from the front, Chrysler did use a anti-theft screw during this time and these may or may not be on your vehicle, If they are you can still get the socket thru Snap on. Then you have a bracket on the rear of the radio, the easiest way to remove it is to lift the center dash cover off, it is retained by clips, and reach in behind the radio and remove the retaining not. Depending on the radio it may or may not fit your new one. The wiring connections are the same.
For the clock, the wiring connections are also the same with three screws holding it into the dash.

 

[Pclancy]

The FSM should walk you through all of that pretty nicely, but if you get into a specific issue, post a photo with the question and the responses show flow.

Thanks, got it.

 

[Pclancy]

If your original analog clock doesn't keep time, it's a pretty simple fix. They are self regulating and by correcting the time manually, the clock will soon regulate itself and start keeping the correct time. Just reset the time every day (or whenever you get in the car) and pretty soon, it will keep correct time.

The digital clock has no soul and should not be installed.

Generally, 8 ohm speakers are for home use and 4 ohm speakers for automotive. There are exceptions on both sides, but a stock system will be 4 ohms.

I have confirmed that the stock system speakers are 4 ohms. Thanks. Re the clock vs the chronometer, nice comment! Soul is important. But clock has problems--it stops ticking. I'm going with the chronometer.

 

[Pclancy]

I have done these changes many times. For the radio, remove the front cover, should be six or seven Phillips screws at the bottom of the cover then carefully pull away from the dash, You will find two mounting screws holding the radio in from the front, Chrysler did use a anti-theft screw during this time and these may or may not be on your vehicle, If they are you can still get the socket thru Snap on. Then you have a bracket on the rear of the radio, the easiest way to remove it is to lift the center dash cover off, it is retained by clips, and reach in behind the radio and remove the retaining not. Depending on the radio it may or may not fit your new one. The wiring connections are the same.
For the clock, the wiring connections are also the same with three screws holding it into the dash.

Thanks for the excellent reply. I shall keep this post handy when we do the install.