Re: Vintage Stereo stuff
 

You guys ARE nuts...love it!!!

Just Monday I was in my folk's basement looking at Dad's new oil tank and saw my old portable radio/8-track unit poking out of a box...guess I'd better put the grab on that thing before it's on Dad's next dump run!.
I forget the brand name but it's a fairly small early ghetto-blaster type unit w/ a carry handle and hole in the side you jammed the tape into...it worked Ok but was a battery hog if you used the 8-Track a lot..

I had a Kraco brand player hooked up to a set of those cheap Base48 speakers in my '69 442 Post car...and I think a Sears one later in the love van.. I don't know what ever happend to the Kraco job but remember some bastard busted into the van and stole the other one..

You guys remember fixing the broken 8-Tracks and how you had to quickly pull and let go of the tape so it would wind itself in tight at the end?.

Ok...great Cars, old 8-Track units and even threads on streamliner Fridges...what's next?.

~ Pete
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif

Re: Vintage Stereo stuff
 

[ QUOTE ]
Or an Andy Williams Christmas tape.

[/ QUOTE ]

Awesome!

Re: Vintage Stereo stuff
 

[ QUOTE ]
I've been trying to find an old AM/FM/Cassette radio for my Nova for months now with no luck. Two that I have bought would not fit (although the seller stated they would) and another did not work. I have already installed two small modern speakers in the dash waiting on sound to flow thru them. It has proved to be difficult to find a radio that has a shaft width of 6 - 1/4 inches.

[/ QUOTE ]

Dave I have a Pioneer super tuner KPA700 that may have adjustable shafts, it's from the mid 80's. I'll dig it out on Sunday and let you know.

Re: Vintage Stereo stuff
 

I picked up this NOS item a while back to install in my L78. Vintage late 70's early 80's I believe.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...o/IMG_1969.jpg

Re: Vintage Stereo stuff
 

Very nice item Darren! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif

Re: Vintage Stereo stuff
 

This 8-track comb center I bought new 40 years ago. Still works in my garage. :bigthumbup:

Re: Vintage Stereo stuff
 

Now in the summer time and we are having a party, I play this in my Garage. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/flag.gif

Re: Vintage Stereo stuff
 

Sly & the Family Stone, OHIO STATE FAIR, 1968!
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Lrt2RAnOy...eature=related
This helped get them to WoodStock.
This is what you'd hear on the 8-track:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14yEO8nfqxE&NR=1
Real cruisin tunes, real live music.

Re: Vintage Stereo stuff
 

[ QUOTE ]
This 8-track comb center I bought new 40 years ago. Still works in my garage. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif

[/ QUOTE ]40 years ago.......I did not think you were that old! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/no.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

Re: Vintage Stereo stuff
 

I bought it when I 17. That was 1967, 40 years ago. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...emlins/eek.gif

Re: Vintage Stereo stuff
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I've been trying to find an old AM/FM/Cassette radio for my Nova for months now with no luck. Two that I have bought would not fit (although the seller stated they would) and another did not work. I have already installed two small modern speakers in the dash waiting on sound to flow thru them. It has proved to be difficult to find a radio that has a shaft width of 6 - 1/4 inches.

[/ QUOTE ]

Dave I have a Pioneer super tuner KPA700 that may have adjustable shafts, it's from the mid 80's. I'll dig it out on Sunday and let you know.

[/ QUOTE ]

If it will fit a Nova/Camaro dash (6 - 1/4 shaft width) I'll take it off your hands. Thanks for thinking of me.

Re: Vintage Stereo stuff
 

For you younger guys who only know cd's - before cd's & cassette's there were 8-tracks - but first there were 4-tracks

Earl "Madman" Muntz, the creator of the Cadillac powered Muntz Jet, invented the Muntz Stereo-Pak 4-track system in 1962 as a way to play prerecorded tapes in cars. 4-track tapes were originally thought of as unmarketable.
In the 4-track format, the pinch roller (the wheel that moves the tape along as it plays) was housed in the player. The 4-track cartridge had two programs--the tape played all the way around the loop, then started all over again. In fact, the format took its name from the fact that two programs, each with two tracks of information (left and right channels of a stereo mix) equals four tracks. The two programs of the 4-track format were like the two sides of an LP, each holding roughly half the total program material.
Despite 4-track's potential to deliver better sound quality, it was the 8-track format that eventually dominated.
The development of the 8-track format took the basic 4-track technology and refined it, making changes designed to make the tape less likely to jam while playing, and to increase accessibility to individual selections on the tape.
The tape ends in a Stereo-Pak are not connected by a splice made of a conductive material — as are the later "automatic" switching 8-track cartridges. 4-track cartridge players had to be switched manually between programs 1 & 2 by a lever on the machine.
This is a 4-track cartridge.
-
-
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t...hotos/v114.jpg
-
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t...hotos/v112.jpg
-
-
[b]Notice the difference between a 4 & 8-track
-
-
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t...hotos/v111.jpg
-

Re: Vintage Stereo stuff
 

Dog, got any of the little wheels to adapt 4 track tapes to a 8 track player?? https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/crazy.gif

Re: Vintage Stereo stuff
 

Well, I checked out the stereo at Dads place and Sho Nuf................. it's an 8 track player/recorder. Even found some 'still in the wrapper' blank tapes'. Lots of other tapes too, some with the little plastic head covers still on them. Now I gotta dig out my '65 Winternationals Vinyl and convert it to that new fangled 8 track thingy. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/naughty.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif

Re: Vintage Stereo stuff
 

You have to pick the right year Demo Tapes if you want the good music.
I like to collect NOS 8Tk tapes and have everyone Chevrolet ever made,right into the demo cassettes.

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t...pesALL0014.jpg
Left to right is 1967-68.......................1969-70...................1970.
I have the years after as well,but these represent the best listening music they ever put on one.

Re: Vintage Stereo stuff
 

Cartridge door pockets are a must for these as well.

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t...pesALL0013.jpg

Re: Vintage Stereo stuff
 

These things were really thought out for their time.

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t...pesALL0004.jpg

Re: Vintage Stereo stuff
 

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t...pesALL0008.jpg

Re: Vintage Stereo stuff
 

[ QUOTE ]
Hey M, I have some 8 track tapes and an NOS, in the box 8 tracker player. Made by Realistic (Radio Shack) Dated 9A8. Perfect for the nova and camaro because they are November of 68 cars. Its small and will fit in the nova and camaro! Us old guys got all the vintage stuff you need young fella! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Well, all this talk of 8-track units got me in the buying mood! Yenko actually offered an AM/FM 8-Track Stereo unit in the parts catalog, made by Lear Jet Co. So, thanks to Cumby's EBaY sleuthing, I bought the exact same model that was offered by Yenko SportsCars! The best part is that it's not the type to replace the indash unit, it's a stand alone unit - so I can put it in the glove box, hang it underneath, etc...

Now, where do I get some of these old-fangled 8 Track tapes? https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/naughty.gif

Re: Vintage Stereo stuff
 

You need a Craig FM converter wired up with old lamp cord, throw it on the pass side floor and put a couple of ciggy burn marks in it for a period correct flavor...

Re: Vintage Stereo stuff
 

Marlin

PM me your address and what you like and I'll send you some 8-tracks.

Re: Vintage Stereo stuff
 

Cool! Some old Led Zep or Skynrd would do just fine!

Re: Vintage Stereo stuff
 

Or these guys?.

http://217.160.164.51/pic/gtn1cd070.jpg

Sorry Marlin?.
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif
~ Pete

Re: Vintage Stereo stuff
 

Ha! B4 my time https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/naughty.gif

Re: Vintage Stereo stuff
 

Actually that album (you can see how old I am) is from 2001! I believe they call that psychedelic trance music.

Re: Vintage Stereo stuff
 

[ QUOTE ]
Some old Led Zep or Skynrd would do just fine!

[/ QUOTE ]
I knew I liked you for some reason, M! You're a man after my own heart... https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...s/headbang.gif

Re: Vintage Stereo stuff
 

NOS aftermarket cassette players? This is hilarious... never thought I would ever see the day!

Re: Vintage Stereo stuff
 

Ok, so where are ya gonna cut the speakers in? When ya figure it out, let me know. I got a deuce out here that needs the same thing done. And running it through the radio speaker won't cut it, unless you want it to sound like a guy beatin a drum in a tin can. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/dunno.gif

Re: Vintage Stereo stuff
 

This guy is serious about repairing these hitech devices.

http://www.camaros.net/classifieds/s...?product=25143

Re: Vintage Stereo stuff
 

[ QUOTE ]
Ok, so where are ya gonna cut the speakers in? When ya figure it out, let me know. I got a deuce out here that needs the same thing done. And running it through the radio speaker won't cut it, unless you want it to sound like a guy beatin a drum in a tin can. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/dunno.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Gotta have some classic skynrd around!!

As for speakers, I was planning to either run it through the 4x10 in the dash, or maybe through some quality 4x6's in some small enclosures under the front seat - or on the back seat floors. I dunno? Got any ideas?

Re: Vintage Stereo stuff
 

[ QUOTE ]
So that's what the antennae contraption is supposed to look like! I had to make my own by getting the correct connector at Radio Shack and adding a wire to it. (Bought the unit off ebay and it had no antennae wire at all.)



Never thought it had such an involved antennae splice-harness. Got any more of those NOS contraptions lieing around?

[/ QUOTE ]

Steve,

If you haven't found the correct cable and connector by now, let me know I will send you a whole FM Converter unit. Just PM me your address https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

Re: Vintage Stereo stuff
 

PM on its way! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

Re: Vintage Stereo stuff
 

Well, I received this Lear Jet unit - what the heck makes this thing so heavy??? I don't know where I'm gonna mount it, it's too big for the glove box, and I'm not putting any holes through my rubber mat... I'll figure it out.

My question for you old timers, what is up with these 'programs' on the tapes and lights on the unit? What is 'mpx'?

Re: Vintage Stereo stuff
 

What do ya mean "Old Timers?" An 8-track has four separate tracks (programs) of music on it. You press the track button to move it from one track to the next to locate the song you want (in your case, something from Shawn Cassidy or Leif Garrett, I bet). The machine will also automatically change tracks when it reaches the end of one. The drawback to this advanced technology was that sometimes the track ends in the middle of a song and you have to wait for it to click to the next track to hear the rest of the song. MPX stands for multiplex, a prehistoric stereo configuration.

Now where's my bottle of Vitameatavegamin?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBcdRDB14e0

Re: Vintage Stereo stuff
 

Steve,

I also remember that the head would get out of adjustment and start to play 2 tracks at once. There should be a head adjustment screw somewhere that would realign the head. As I recall this adjusting was a regular event???

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/wink.gif

Re: Vintage Stereo stuff
 

That's one of the reasons they invented matchbooks. (Well, the other reason was for gapping the points in your distributor on the side of the road at night)

Re: Vintage Stereo stuff
 

I forgot all about the matchbook trick!!!!!!!!!!

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/haha.gif

Re: Vintage Stereo stuff
 

Steve nailed it. Each of the four 'programs' on the tape has two tracks, hence the term 'Eight Track'. The two tracks on each program give the stereo effect. If you catch a tape just right in its rewind configuration you can see a short section of metallic splicing tape which trips the sensors in the player head and moves the head up or down to the next program.

Find a junk tape and pop it apart sometime. The rewind system on them is kinda cool. "Back in the day" I used to salvage damaged tapes from some of my friends and rewind them. Many times they're still good even after the player 'eats them'. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/smirk.gif

Re: Vintage Stereo stuff
 

Ah! I see, very pre-historic! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif I'm gonna hook it up to the car battery and pop a tape in it. It does have two adj screws, one for the head - forget what the other one was for. Hmmm... this thing will kill my et's is so stinkin heavy. I need some quick disconnects.

Oh, this thing only has 4 wires out the back - did these old units just ground the speakers at their location or...?

Re: Vintage Stereo stuff
 

Geeeesz, you're young Marlin........... https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/wink.gif

At least you got the top of the line model of the day. The Lears were great! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/scholar.gif