1951 BUICK Super Radio needs a rebuild!

clownpuncher

Active Member
Does anyone know of a person that can rebuild my Radio out of my 1951 Buick Super? It just went out two days ago. Lights work and I get a loud hum and Ideas. I can do it myself if pointed in the right direction.
 
The vibrator may have gone out..This is a vacuum tube radio that requires about 300v dc to function. The vibrator plugs in like a tube. It's a silver metal cylinder. The normal operation is that when you first turn the radio on the vibrator hums at a medium pitch. As the tubes warm up and they start to conduct/draw current the tone of the vibrator lowers in pitch (not volume). Do any of these things happen?

I used to work on vacuum tube equipment and own a 52 riviera. If I can be of more assistance let me know.

Dave
 
That sounds like the issue, do I need to get a replacement part and if so where the heck can I get one?

This sounds like my issue!
 
You can try taking yours apart ant clean the contacts....spring tension may be an issue. If it's been sitting a long time that may be the issue. I haven't checked these guys out but it may be worth a try. Match yours either by part number or by pin config......good luck...Dave

http://www.oldradioparts.com/2a31fl.txt
 
Radio

IF it is humming dosent that mean the viberator is working????????Wen mine did that there were other parts that needed replacing.
 
It depends on what's humming.... The orginal post is somewhat vague...I was just trying to point him in the direction he wanted to go. I would check some voltages before making any decisions. The radio has 2 6v6 outputs capable of 8-10 watts. The schematic that I think is in the service manual will give many voltages. With that info and a scope you can take it from there. Capacitors dry up and become leaky. They all should be replaced. Only the power supply caps and the coupling and bypass not the ceramics. My radio is 100% original and sounds great. i grew up with it.

One thing I would like to know...has anyone ever found a good replacement for the original 7in pincushion pm speaker for this radio?
 
Radio

Al's 52 It was the capaceters that needed replacing that time. It's getting harder to find someone to work on these old time radios??????? On the speaker,years ago there were places that reconed speakers. I have not seen adds for years?????? There used to be adds every now & then for modern vibraters but havent seen any in a long time????
 
You may want to try these guys. They are in my neck of the woods and have communicated with them regarding my 57 radio and have responded promptly and concisely. With that said, I have never used them but plan to when I get my radio out this spring. I believe they deal with speaker rebuilds as well. Hope this helps.

http://www.classicradio.com/
 
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