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05-14-2024, 01:50 AM | #1 |
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1940 Ford Zenith Radio
Hey all, so I've been working a bit on my original 1940 Deluxe Fordor's Zenith radio. This radio looks pretty complicated, but I wanted to see if I could get it to work. But I've run into some issues.
1) I replaced the dials with new repro ones as the originals had cracked and were turning to dust. But something didn't seem to work right. The volume dial turns great and the left pre-set station selector dial turns. Granted, I don't know if the dial is in the correct spot where it should be. But the problem is the right side station selector and dial do not turn together. The gears from the two are not the same size. Plus, trying to turn the knob is tight and not easy. Photo of the side I'm talking about: 2) When hooking the radio up to a 6v power supply, I can get the internal lights to come on and there's a buzz from the speaker. The speaker itself vibrates a bit. It seems like it's working, but there's no sound. I've tried turning the dials, but nothing seems to work. Any tests I can try?
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1940 Ford DeLuxe Fordor Sedan 1944 GPW Jeep |
05-14-2024, 06:41 AM | #2 |
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Re: 1940 Ford Zenith Radio
Is the antenna connected?
Tom |
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05-14-2024, 06:42 AM | #3 |
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Re: 1940 Ford Zenith Radio
Capacitors go bad over a period of time, you’ll also need an antenna hooked up. Back in the day you could go to a drug store and test the vacuum tubes yourself. Do you have a schematic of the radio?
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05-14-2024, 06:56 AM | #4 |
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Re: 1940 Ford Zenith Radio
along with the above suggestions you should also replace the vibrator.
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05-14-2024, 02:04 PM | #5 |
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Re: 1940 Ford Zenith Radio
I did connect it, yes. Still just a light buzzing sound, no static.
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05-14-2024, 06:56 PM | #6 |
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Re: 1940 Ford Zenith Radio
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There are alternatives such as replacing the guts with modern radio circuits but that can be a bit more complicated. |
05-14-2024, 07:05 PM | #7 |
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Re: 1940 Ford Zenith Radio
I’ve sent three 40 radios to this guy. Reasonable and quick turnaround. https://www.car-radio-conversions.com/
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05-14-2024, 08:32 PM | #8 | |
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Re: 1940 Ford Zenith Radio
Quote:
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19 and 49 F1 - jes' like Henry II built 1946 Deluxe - as Henry built it |
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05-16-2024, 12:37 AM | #9 | |
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Re: 1940 Ford Zenith Radio
Quote:
Any tips on testing tubes/capacitors?
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05-16-2024, 12:29 PM | #10 |
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Re: 1940 Ford Zenith Radio
I know nothing about radios but there are many vacuum tube testers on ebay . $90-$150 ish
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05-16-2024, 02:53 PM | #11 |
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Re: 1940 Ford Zenith Radio
There is a trimming capacitor for the antenna, it makes the difference between perhaps getting one very close station and getting many even from long distance, usually it is near where the antenna lead goes into the radio, although some are accessed through a small hole in the face.
similar to the screws in the face for adjusting the station for the push buttons that are in the picture |
05-16-2024, 04:05 PM | #12 |
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Re: 1940 Ford Zenith Radio
In my experience, tubes are usually good if the radio appears to be clean and not molested. That's good because they can be hard to find and relatively expensive. Capacitors are usually bad and easy to get and relatively cheap. If you really want to get into this yourself, and have a reasonable background in electronics, get a schematic to find what you need in the way of capacitors and replace them All. They are available from places like "Digi-Key" and "Mouser". If it still doesn't work, start looking at the tubes.
Last edited by tubman; 05-16-2024 at 04:27 PM. |
05-18-2024, 11:04 AM | #13 |
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Re: 1940 Ford Zenith Radio
A lot of the old radio sets have a diagram inside the case. They are usually pasted to the cover.
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05-18-2024, 12:34 PM | #14 |
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Re: 1940 Ford Zenith Radio
I took my 39 radio to a local audio repair shop, had all caps replaced and a new vibrator. Cost was about 100.00 plus 40.00 for the vibrator. All tubes were good. First shop wanted 750.00 to “ restore “ it and even charged for the estimate. I beat feet from that place!
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05-18-2024, 12:44 PM | #15 |
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Re: 1940 Ford Zenith Radio
I'm not anywhere close to being ta radio expert, but doesn't the fact that it makes a noise when he turns it on suggest that the vibrator may be good? I believe I have also heard that the original-type vibrators are better than the new "solid-state" units.
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