QuestionI do not know if you can help here, but I will give this forum a whirl: I am restoring a 1968 Ford Ranchero (same front end, interior, and engine--302-2V--as a '68 Ford Fairlane), which has an original Ford Philco AM radio in it. I have pulled the radio (single speaker is missing from the dash), hooked up a 12-V power supply and connected an antenna and speaker to it for testing purposes; it does not seem to work (although the tuner, volume, and shut off seem to work smoothly and the dial light comes one). The code stamped on the front of the case is 2L8-0075, with a 1 (and up arrow) adjacent to tha); the side of the case has the numbers 8TP0 2L9940 stamped on it. Everyone on-line wants a minimum of $200 just to diagnose this unit and original-looking (and -fitting)units run over $200. E-bay lists one (non-working) radio with this basic Philco code (2L8-0075) for a reasonable price, but who wants TWO non-working radios of the same type?
Is there anyway to research Philco radio for schematics and fix this myself; my father is a cracker-jack electronics guy, but says without a schematic, this task would be nearly hopeless. Are there any other affordable (<$50 USD) replacement ideas here?
Regards,
Mark
AnswerYes, if your dad can fix it with a proper manual, he should contact "Sams Photofacts" for the folder on this radio. If he is experienced in this trade, he will already know of the Howard W. Sams company and their excellent service. Large city libraries usually have a set of these folders that you can Zerox pages out of for a fee. Or, you can buy the folder you need; contact them at www.samswebsite.com
I've fixed many radios using their services - all it takes is a good knowledge of how an AM radio works, a good oscilloscope and a multi-meter, normal electronics tools, and a supply of spare parts (maybe that extra radio would come in handy for spare parts?).
Good luck with it - and thanks for keeping it original!
Dick
