1968 Knobhead...

[p51]

...me, that is

I had to remove my AM/FM radio (looks to be original radio) and for some unknown reason I thought I had to remove the knobs first. So, I did so... just pulled those suckers off... then I realized that the radio comes out as a unit. Duh!

Now I'm trying to put the knobs back on and am having a heck of a time. They look like they should be a press fit. The shaft in the radio is keyed half its length with a "D" shape so that the knobs slip on a particular way. I can easily push them on half way and then they just wont move. I'm worried if I apply too much pressure (I pushed pretty hard) that I might break the knobs. So, does anyone any hints or suggestions about how to get these knobs back on?

Here is an example of the type of knob set I'm talking about...
http://www.cjponyparts.com/radio-knob-and-bezel-set-without-console-1968/p/STK3/

You can sorta make out the "D" shape on the shaft hole on the knob on the far left...

 

[dalorzo_f]

Should just press on... they don't go on too far... about 5/16"-3/8" max. The little ring on the shaft just tucks in barely beyond the edge of the outer ring.

 

[dalorzo_f]

A quick pic from a spare in the shed... the cracked one shows about how far the sleeve goes.

HTH

 

[p51]

Should just press on... they don't go on too far... about 5/16"-3/8" max. The little ring on the shaft just tucks in barely beyond the edge of the outer ring.

Thanks for the quick response and the picture...

Yes, I can the push the knob onto the shaft coming out of the radio about 5/16". Then it stops. It will work in that position, so everything is consistent with your description to that point. But in my situation the shaft coming out of the radio seems to be too long... there is still about 5/16" or so of exposed shaft between the inner knob and the outer knob so in my situation the knobs are not snug next to each other as in your picture. Unfortunately, I don't remember what it looked like before hand when I pulled it apart... I assumed that the knobs should almost snug together.

The radio I have in my car is a Ford Aeronutronic AM/FM radio. I have no idea if that was original equipment in 1968. I did a Google image search and all Aeronutronic radios have a different style of knobs than the ones I have... so the issue might be that the PO replaced the knobs with the wrong style. In the picture you included what is the brand/style of the radio?

Thanks again...

 

[dalorzo_f]

Not sure but there are adjusting nuts, very thin jamb nuts, on the shafts behind the bezel on the originals. This adjusts the position on the radio to the bezel. Is this depth set right or adjustable on yours?

The photo is a correct 8TPZ AM. Not familiar with the Aeronautica's, believe they are 70's or later units... so a different shaft length would not be surprising... cut them to length?

 

[p51]

Not sure but there are adjusting nuts, very thin jamb nuts, on the shafts behind the bezel on the originals. This adjusts the position on the radio to the bezel. Is this depth set right or adjustable on yours?

The photo is a correct 8TPZ AM. Not familiar with the Aeronautica's, believe they are 70's or later units... so a different shaft length would not be surprising... cut them to length?

Thanks for the info on the adjustment jamb nuts! I did not know about that. I will check.

From the little I've found on the web it does seem that the Ford Aeronutronic radios were 70's thing. Also seems that the standard radio knobs changed every couple of years. So, it's looking more and more like this was a case of the wrong knobs (they are in such good shape, they are likely repos) on the radio... and I just never noticed it...

 

[CougarCJ]

If your stereo has a black balance control slider, under the push buttons, it is a 1970's Ford AM/FM stereo radio.
Inexpensive alternative to 1968 factory AM/FM stereo's. I am going to use one.
:smile:

 

[p51]

If your stereo has a black balance control slider, under the push buttons, it is a 1970's Ford AM/FM stereo radio.
Inexpensive alternative to 1968 factory AM/FM stereo's. I am going to use one.
:smile:

That is exactly what I've got... here's a picture off of google images of a similar radio...

http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/7S8AAOSwgQ9V14Q1/s-l300.jpg

Notice that the knobs are different from the standard 1968 radio knobs... looks like the PO put 1968 knobs on a 1970's radio... and I never noticed until now...

 

[p51]

If your stereo has a black balance control slider, under the push buttons, it is a 1970's Ford AM/FM stereo radio.
Inexpensive alternative to 1968 factory AM/FM stereo's. I am going to use one.
:smile:

I'm thinking that these are the right knobs for that radio...
http://www2.cougarpartscatalog.com/...73-Mercury-Cougar-1971-1973-Ford-Mustang.html

What's your thoughts on this?

 

[CougarCJ]

I'm thinking that these are the right knobs for that radio...
http://www2.cougarpartscatalog.com/...73-Mercury-Cougar-1971-1973-Ford-Mustang.html

What's your thoughts on this?

Very likely.