Radio speaker for my B-1 is gone

[doogan]

Well guys I thought I had finished my restoration but now realize I don't have a speaker for my Mopar 803 radio.  The radio works when I connect an old speaker from a 12 volt system, well as best as AM can do on the old thing.   I measured and the speaker grill seems like a 4 1/2 inch speaker goes there but can't seem to find one.   Any one know of a source or will any speaker work on DC 6 voltage?.

 

This is for the pilot house B-1 truck that mounts in the dash left of the steering column and the speaker is across the truck next to the glove box.  
 

In my area there is only 1 AM station that I can pick up but I just don't wont to mess something up that still works as originally intended.

 

It's tough being sentimental to these old treasures.

 

Thanks

Don

[NiftyFifty]

Any speaker will do, their rated on ohms, not volts and not like your going to over power it...just find a good used or decent new set and throw one in.

[JBNeal]

have ya considered doing a conversion to AM/FM radio with MP3 jack or Bluetooth capability?  There's a whole mess of outfits that can convert your tube type AM radio to a solid state device with modern features so that ya have the look of your original radio but with increased functionality

[NiftyFifty]

Their a good idea, but from what I've seen for costs, you would be better to just hide a newer style cd/MP3 deck under the dash and hook it up and just leave the original for show.

[doogan]

Thanks guys.   I want to keep the radio original so I will look for a good speaker and plug it in.   Thanks again.

[David A.]

I'm not a radio or electrical expert so someone may need to correct me, but modern speakers use permanent magnet voice coils while back in the 50's they used electro magnets. The older radios made use of that electro magnet coil by using it as an electrical choke that filtered out the electrical noise of the radio, such as the vibrator that is used in the power circuit. By using a modern speaker you may find that you will have to much electrical hum to hear your music.

Also, you probably won't find a speaker to fit your exact opening. The factory set-up used an adapter plate between the speaker and the dash. It came as part of the radio installation package. They can be found on eBay occasionally, but it would be pretty easy to make one as well.

[doogan]

Thanks David I will start looking for an old style speaker.  junk yard here I come!!!!

[Larry Leibhart]

S/M Electro-Tech,Inc   8836 Xylite St NE  Blaine, Mn 55449         Radio Speaker $49.95    Shipping $8.50 

If quality is important you might want to try this place

Edited August 25, 2016 by Larry Leibhart

[Young Ed]

S/M Electro-Tech,Inc   8836 Xylite St NE  Blaine, Mn 55449         Radio Speaker $49.95    Shipping $8.50 

If quality is important you might want to try this place

Haven't bought that particular item from them but they rebuilt the radio in dads 69 sport fury. Fairly rare AM FM stereo with cassette. I wouldn't hesitate to buy this from them. 

[NiftyFifty]

I have 2 10 year old pioneer 4 1/2" round speakers that fit perfectly into the original speaker holes and mounting holes, as well as the former speedometer spot, and speakers are generally standard sizes and mounting hole spots. As for noise, you can buy filters that go on the power wire of the deck and may reduce or remove any whining from the charging system. Unless you can find a good working speaker from a pre 65 or maybe even older car or truck, your going to have to buy a newer style

Edited August 25, 2016 by 4mula-dlx

[David A.]

The electro magnet coil wasn't used primarily to remove charging system noise, but to remove noise induced by the power supply of the radio itself. The older radios must have pulsating DC current to operate which is the reason for the vibrator, and also the cause of the electrical hum. A filter in the power wire won't remove that noise.

[NiftyFifty]

Worst you can do is try a $10 speaker and see how it works, but test it with the truck running to get a true test....as I say...finding a good used original speaker is very likely slim slim pickings, especially when the radio itself was a big find......maybe get lucky in a same era car

[cavisco1]

The blurry SAMS Photofact I found online shows the speaker as a permanent magnet type with a 3.4 ohm voice coil. I think any 4 ohm speaker should work. If no one has been through this set I wouldn't expect it to work for long. The old capacitors inside change value and become electrically leaky (low dc resistance). The old carbon composition resistors drift way off value, typically increasing in value.The vibrator unit in the power supply also become intermittent or inoperative as they age. Next time I'm at the other house I will see if I can find the service info. With new capacitors and modern resistors it should give good service for many years.

 

Scott.

Edited August 25, 2016 by cavisco1