[GoreMaker]

Can someone please explain to me how the factory 8-track player works? I don't have one, I'm just interested in how it functions.

How does one switch between the radio and 8-track?

What do the 2 knobs do?

Is the "Program" button for switching between the tracks? Is there a track indicator?

Thanks!

 

[sea dog]

The left knob should be on/off & volume The right knob is for tuning the radio station, and tone control.

When stereo is turned on, it plays radio. When 8 track is inserted 8 track plays.

I don't remember if there's a track indicator.

I hope your not considering getting an 8 track player. They went out of style when cassette tapes became the hot item. In mid 90's 8 tracks made a brief come back. It didn't take long for people to realize why they hated 8 track. I remember in the early 70's, the sides of roads wre littered with dead 8 track tapes.

 

[GoreMaker]

No, I just wondered what kinds of pots and buttons were in there. I'm planning to buy a broken one and rip out its guts so I can turn it into an OEM-appearing digital music player that hooks up to the input of my OEM-appearing head unit.

 

[b_hill_86]

Ok first, left knob is volume only. The inside left knob is for tone. The right knob is for balance and the right inside knob is a dummy. It does nothing.

Yes the program button changes between tracks. No, there is no program indicator.

Inside there is a rotating (maybe pivoting is a better term) mechanism that moves when a tape is inserted /removed. With no tape, contacts are aligned so that power comes from the car, passes through the player to the radio. The speaker signals from the radio pass through the player to the speakers.

With the tape in, the contacts align so that 12v from the car powers the player, so the radio shuts off, and the contacts connect the player output to the speakers. If that makes sense.
Just curious, what aftermarket radio do you have that appears OEM looking?

 

[GoreMaker]

Thank you! That's exactly what I needed. I bought this head unit:

Antique Automobile Radio, modern stereo for vintage cars

State-of-the-Art Stereo for antique car radios: Looks original, sounds better!

radiosforoldcars.com

But I haven't installed it yet. I have a Retrosound Motor 4 unit in my '93 Roadmaster and I absolutely hate it. It sounds nice, but it has about 1001 extra features I have no use for and the features I do use are very poorly implemented. I liked the much more basic implementation of this head unit with no fancy display.

 

[b_hill_86]

Glad to help. I looked at that radio for a bit. Pricy! But worth it if it works well. I was hesitant for a few reasons and decided against it. Hopefully yours works out well.
I ended up installing a factory radio, console 8 track and ran those through a small Bluetooth enabled amp under my console powering 4 modern speakers.
Factory stuff works as it should or I use a wired remote I hid in the ashtray to switch to Bluetooth and stream from my phone.
Not a perfect setup but it works for me.