SizzleChest

before when I put a tape in, it would just go tick-tick-tick-tick. somehow, that's been fixed, but now when the tape is in, i only get audio from the left speaker. the radio plays through both speakers nicely. any ideas?

Skeets

Afraid i can't help, but just wanted to say well done for actually still using an 8-Track! :eek:

My dad used to have them in all his cars, and we even had one in the house. I always remember having to wedge folded bits of paper underneath the cassettes to stop the 'thrumming' while they played! (Sorry... bit of a nostalga trip there!)

hope you get it sorted! :thumbs:


[Modified by Skeets, 1:10 AM 8/19/2003]

87bob

There is a tracking adjustment inside the unit that may need adjustment. As I recall there are 8 tracks on the tape. Two pick up heads on the player and four positions as it changes from track to track. While the unit is playing your tape you'll need to turn the screw one way or the other. If you start getting two songs playing at once then you need to go the other way. Hope this helps!

SizzleChest

i've got an older diagram that shows a head height adjusting screw and an azimuth adjusting screw. which should i be tinkering with?

SharkAttack

Stop inserting the cassettes, and just enjoy the radio. I don't even remember what an 8-track tape looks like! :lol:

Stoge

I keep Dark Side of the Moon in my vette's factory 8 - track. Its interesting listening to the album waayyyyy out of order.

vettemack

The 77 Delco Service Manual describes a test tape, part # J-22683-01 available from Dent-Moore Corp, Jackson MS. and a RCA Test Tape 321 for head height. I don't know if DENT- MOORE should be Kent Moore but this is the way it is spelled in the manual.

The J-22683-01 tape has the following. Track 1 is blank. 2 is 3KHz tone. 3 is music. 4 & 5 are blank. 6 has a 8KHz tone. 7 is music. 8 is blank. The directions say to adjust the head height for track one until tone is heard which would mean you adjusted it to track two. Then back it off until tone disappears. These tests are done at full volume. Track 4 should also be quiet.

For azimuth (high Frequency) using track 6, adjust for the maximum volume. Azimuth adjustment is under the drive wheel.

Using a fluorescent light, you can also check the motor speed by looking at the strobe pattern on the wheel.

If you could find an 8 track recorder, you may be able to make the above tape as I doubt it is available anymore. I see recorders ocassionaly at estate sales.

It is possibly your preamp board for the tape player may be bad also. I believe it has a right and left channel pre amp before going to the final radio amplifer.

Hope this helps.

Alwyn678

8 Track.....I would yank that biatch out and put in a nice CD player.....I personally would not want to ruin it. Put it on the shelf and sell it with the car if you ever sell it

Fevre

You need to upgrade to a cassette deck. :D
Always loved the way a song would fade out in the middle then the track switched and it would fade in kinda like an intermission. :lol:

Mike Mercury

I was repairing under-warranty Delco factory radios in 1978 (but that
doesn't mean I am old) :nono:
:)

But, the most common problem with the 8 track not playing through both sets of speakers was a bad head cable going to the tape pick-up head.
Usually the first failure was a crackling noise; followed later by one channel (and sometimes both) not passing audio.

Just a reminder here that I am NOT that old. :lol:

Although I don't remember specifically, but some of those early factory 8 track decks had a plug-in head cable. I wonder if it got bumped during the last repair and has backed off slightly?


.


[Modified by Mike Mercury, 11:05 AM 8/19/2003]

ROD NOCK

Don't forget to clean the head and capstan roller with a Q-tip swab & some alcohol. Been a long time since I've had to do that one! :lol:


[Modified by ROD NOCK, 11:07 AM 8/19/2003]

Packy76

To vettemack ...funny you should mention about a 8-track recorder I do HAVE one I think its a Realistic, why I kept it.. no idea, a little bit of nostalga I guess, but if you want to record a tape let me know I can dig it out of the attic and fire it up!

Mr D.

I have 2 Delco 8-Tracks (77 vintage) that would make great parts doners. Let me know.

Fasteighty

Try here
http://www.8trackheaven.com/playfix.html

I don't think I have even seen a real 8 track tape in over 15 years... :lol:


[Modified by Fasteighty, 1:56 PM 8/19/2003]

Madmikeee

Easy fix for that

battsup

Where does the 8-track go in that one, O silly me its an LP unit :jester

Mr D.

Just installed the orginal 8-track back into my 77 (took 3 to make 1 work) and it works great. Even my Shaft Man XXX 70's vintage tape stills works. :lol: