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Way back here I showed photos of the badly-corroded aluminum head but I have located and purchased another. It has not yet been checked for warpage or cracks but that will be done soon. If it's okay, stainless Helicoils will be installed in the plug and water outlet holes although I’ll probably not install it for some time to come.

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Although the radio worked when I last tried it, it is due for some repairs, especially a changing of the capacitors. I am not interested in upgrading or modifying it to a modern radio as I won’t be using it anyway (I’m virtually deaf) so just want it to work as designed.

That said, I dont mind minor changes such as an electronic “vibrator” and have one lined up but need to be sure it will work. Which vibrator did it use originally or did the 4-pin vibrators come with different pin-outs where a replacement might not work? Below is the replacement’s pin layout.

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If this is for a 54 I don't have a schematic for that year but the 52 radio can use a Radiart 5300. Is your old vibrator missing so you cannot get a number from it? If so, assuming 54 is a very similar radio using the same vibrator then what you show doesn't look like it is compatible. One end of the coil providing the vibration looks like it will be connecting on the wrong pin.

Here is the info from the 52 schematic and the vibrator info from the Radiart catalog. The 5300 uses pinout A and the one you show looks like it would be for a vibrator using pinout C.

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Thank you, Howard. Yes, they should all be the same and no, mine is not missing but with a shop so far away from where I live and so rural, and with me spending so little time there, I have to make sure that anything I need is there in advance. However, in this case, availability is limited so I want to get it while I can.

If you cannot find an electronic vibrator in the original configuration one possibility is the return or ground connection (PR) for the original vibrator might be able to be moved at the radio socket to the other probably unused pin to make it match your diagram. Of course, I say that without having a radio or vibrator to look at but schematically, unless it is something to do with polarity on the electronic units, it looks as if the PR ground wire could be moved.

Howard, I do have one lined up and its pin layout is what I posted, which matches the one your arrow pointed to so it is the proper one. They are available in either 6v or 12v and in either positive or negative ground.

I have plenty of good used ones too if push comes to shove!

Unless I missed something or you mean you have a different vibrator lined up than the one you posted, am not following how the illustration you posted matches pinout A for the 5300. The one you posted looks like pinout C.

I see your concern. The image was generic and is probably for the negative ground version as all those they show have the same image. I believe the one I will actually get will be proper for positive ground.

They say mechanical vibrators are not polarity sensitive..... Electronic replacements are.

Yes, I know and that’s very true. Same with electronic flashers, etc. I suppose it would be possible to design one that is polarity insensitive but probably not worth the effort.