radio installation for 1950 Studebaker Champion

[1950 Champion RegalDeluxe]

Good evening.

I know that I need the two long screws that go through the bottom of the radio and into the dash, but where do I purchase them?

Is there any other places that require a fastener?

How do I remove the speaker grill from the dash, if I should need to do so?

It feels and looks like it will pop out with a little pressure, but I am not interesting in tearing it up to find out.

I have a factory repair manual and the owners manual.

Neither cover issues regarding the radio installation or removal.

Thank you.

[royvaldez]

Those long screws are hard to find. The car radio is really easy to put in. Make sure you have the right car radio. Please state which model number you have? You need to ask any SDC member for extra long screws. I have mine, but will not give up. Call Studebaker West.

[rockne10]

Dave Mottle has the radio manual and installation instructions.

http://www.studebakerdriversclub.com/Studebakertemplates.htm

Brad Johnson
Pine Grove Mills, Pa.
'33 Rockne 10, '51 Commander Starlight, '53 Commander Starlight

[1950 Champion RegalDeluxe]

My Champion originally came with a radio and all of the wiring is in place.

I have not found another radio as good as the one that was in it yet, but I already have a spare.

My spare is an "Airline" AUTO RADIO model number 61-6782 SERIAL NUMBER 51W-111299

It was a gift left from a parts car from another project I worked on years ago.

From what I understand, these Airline radios were aftermarket accessories available for a time from SEARS and Monkey Wards.

It came from a 1950 or 51 Studebaker parts car.

[1950 Champion RegalDeluxe]

quote:Originally posted by royvaldez

Those long screws are hard to find. The car radio is really easy to put in. Make sure you have the right car radio. Please state which model number you have? You need to ask any SDC member for extra long screws. I have mine, but will not give up. Call Studebaker West.

Could you supply me with the thread pitch, over-all length, and diameter of both ends of the screw?

If you you could supply me with this information I could reproduce the screw.

[starlightchamp]

Besides the two long screws that go up through the dash valance, there is a
3/16' diameter rod that is threaded on one end for a wing nut. One end of the rod is bent
at 90 degrees into a hook about 3/4 inch long. The rod is about 8 inches. The hook end
goes into a firewall hole and the other end, with threads, fits into the slot in the fitting
at the lower radio back. This hook support is important to keep the radio solid in the dash.

....Dick Curtis

[starlightchamp]

Another thought. The valance screws are unique in that they go through the radio bezel and
come out the chrome top. On the half dozen Stude 1950 radios I have repaired, all had a thick leather washer like fastener that the screw threaded into rather than a nut. I think you could use a 3/16" lag screw about 3 I/2" long and make a 1/8" thick leather washer for it to thread into.
....Dick

[uasrs]

The best and cheapest thing you can buy to mount that radio is battery hold down bolts. You can buy a set of two. They have a hook on one end that will go through the eyes on your radio. The other end is threaded to hook to your dash. You will need to cut them off on the threaded end. Just remember to leave the wing nuts on before you cut them off.

[1950 Champion RegalDeluxe]

quote:Originally posted by uasrs

The best and cheapest thing you can buy to mount that radio is battery hold down bolts. You can buy a set of two. They have a hook on one end that will go through the eyes on your radio. The other end is threaded to hook to your dash. You will need to cut them off on the threaded end. Just remember to leave the wing nuts on before you cut them off.

I am not sure if I have an accurate mental picture of what you are describing.
Do you have any pictures of the finished product in use?

[?]

[1950 Champion RegalDeluxe]

What size inline fuse should be used with these radios?

My radio was previously wired for an inline fuse, the Champion was not AFAIK.

[DanTheFan]

I too am eagerly following this thread and hoping for a solution to the replacing of the two mounting screws that go up through the radio head to mount it. I had forgotten how even an AM radio is far superior to none at all when driving to the meets, especially during football season. Could anyone supply the necessary dimensions to fabricate and post a good picture?

[Retired]

The long, wing nuted, hook end bolt was used on radios beginning with probably with the 1938 models. Eye ball any one model year and you can get an idea what they look like. Easy to fabrecate using threaded rod.

Richard

[starlightchamp]

I tried to get photos but too cramped under the dash. The illustration I scanned
from Studebaker mounting instructions. and added notes. The dimensions are
from memory so approximate. The key is mounting some sought of captive bolt retainers
on the ledge before install since near impossible to get them in place with radio
put in place. I think a 1/4' metal screw would be best to navigate blindly into the captive
nut assembly.
Hope this helps.
...Dick

[starlightchamp]

I forgot how to edit but the 1/4' should of course be 1/4 inch diameter

[1950 Champion RegalDeluxe]

Thank you Starlightchamp for the work you put into your post.

That helps!

What size fuse should be used with that radio?