Topic: 1977 Delco Radio

[b_hill_86]

Ok, I know I've run across this before but I cannot find it to save my life so I'm sorry to repeat a question. I've got a 77 TA and I've been looking for a factory style radio for my car. I've been looking on ebay and I know there is a difference between pre and post 77/78 models so I can kind of tell what will fit and what will not but there aren't many listed as fitting a 77 TA.

What I was thinking is searching GM delco radios in general but there seem to be a ton and i'm not sure what would fit/be correct. What would be a correct model number I guess is my question.

A radio guide would be an excellent addition to this already awesome site. I've learned so much about these cars in the last 7 months and have barely scratched the surface but it's thanks to all of the helpful people on here.

EDIT: What is a reasonable price for an original radio? I'm not 100% sure what I should be willing to spend for one. I have seen them as high as one that was a 76-77 w/faceplate & knobs with factory 8-track and i believe the harness was included for $700. Too high for my blood.

Thanks,
-Brian

[ta78w72]

The 77's had grounded speakers while the 78's didn't.  A 78 radio used in conjunction with grounded speakers will cause the radio to fail.

[b_hill_86]

Yea, I remember reading that somewhere. My car doesn't have any speakers in it anyway anymore.

[Virginia T/A]

Do you have a copy of the window sticker. If not you can contact PHS (Pontiac Historical Socity) and get your whole car history. I  have seen a post on Ebay that has original radios with MP3 jacks installed  if thats the kinda of thing your looking for. I  found the the original Am/Fm 8 track for my car at a junk yard in a full size pontiac (the model number matched and it all works for $10.00) Good luck. 

[Grand73Am]

From what I've seen, the 77 dash radio hole and radio bezel are different from 78-81's, so the 70-77 radios have different face dimensions and appearance from the 78-81's.
Here's a eBay listing so you can see what it looks like. It's got black knobs with AM on the far left knob and FM on the far right knob: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1970-75-Pontiac-Firebird-AM-FM-Stereo-Radio-Very-Nice-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem53e6634730QQitemZ360347551536QQptZCarQ5fAudioQ5fVideo

[4SPEED]

Steve the one in the epay link is a 70-75  but will fit 70-77
on a 76-77 the delco on the face plate was moved and different.

76-77

[Grand73Am]

Good to know about that detail to tell them apart. Thanks!

[4SPEED]

b_hill_86  are you looking for the radio or the stereo?   there was 2 types.  

the radio had just radio sound. with only one , could of been 2 speakers.   most just one up front.  if you had the rear speaker there was only one on the drivers side.  

the stereo had the right & left sound  with a front and rear speaker.  and a 2nd sometimes dealer installed rear speaker.
it was installed with a jumper wire from the other rear speaker.

[b_hill_86]

b_hill_86  are you looking for the radio or the stereo?   there was 2 types. 

the radio had just radio sound. with only one , could of been 2 speakers.   most just one up front.  if you had the rear speaker there was only one on the drivers side. 

the stereo had the right & left sound  with a front and rear speaker.  and a 2nd sometimes dealer installed rear speaker.
it was installed with a jumper wire from the other rear speaker.

Either one actually. I was bidding on a MONO radio the other day that I lost. It ended up going for $196 and change. I wasn't sure how high I should push it.

Honestly I'm probably not going to hook the radio up when i get it. I'm pretty sure the harness is missing (without tearing the dash out yet to look). My plan was to get the factory radio in it's location and then either put a modern one in the map pocket location with one of the brackets Hitman sells or hide it in the glove box/center council.

In the meantime I'm probably going to make a delete plate to cover the space.
I have this in another thread but do you think there is enough meat left on the broken area for the radio/faceplate or will this cause any issues?

[b_hill_86]

And this is the cheapo delete plate I made out of an old hard CD case. It'll serve its purpose till I can find a factory radio.

[4SPEED]

looks good bub.

[b_hill_86]

Thanks. It's not perfect but it'll work. Plus it was free as opposed to the $40 ones I've seen. Although, that high def camera is bringing out all of the dirt, dust and flaws on that dash ha ha.