Re: Richter's '53 Caribbean

Posted by Jim McDermaid On 2015/4/2 12:39:31

I like thing original, I also work in electronics and am equipped to repair a car radio, soooooo . . . . .

When I restored the radio in my Cavalier I replaced the vibrator with a solid state version redially available from places like antique electronic supply in Tempe AZ.

The next thing I replaced was the 0Z4 rectifier (a gas filled tube) which had DELCO printed on it and had probably been in there since 1954. This brought up the B+ voltage considerably and greatly improved the radio which was working. Be sure to match the vibrator to Neg or Pos ground.

Most of the tubes were good when tested and no improvement when new ones were tried.

When restoring antique radios or TV's of the late 40's through 50's we replace all of the paper capacitors. often the resistors have drifted off value so these should be checked.

If you have the wonderBar tuning you will need to carefully clean the tuner section and inspect and possibly replace the rubber clutch's. Don't Lube with WD-40 ever.

There are schematics posted on here for most of the radios which are so similar you probably won't need the exact model.

The WonderBar Mech. is complicated and is not shown in the Sams literature and you will have to find a usable copy. I found the exact manual for mine on ebay for cheap.

Jim