1985 Fiero Radio Repair! | Saturday Projects

แชร์
ฝัง
  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ก.พ. 2021
  • Getting AMPed for this project! And by getting amped, I mean absolutely loathing the entire experience. Yes, it is satisfying seeing things come together, but it's also satisfying doing anything else in the world. If you excuse me, I am going to go shovel some dirt.
    Instagram:
    / fingerprintsworkshop
    Patreon:
    / ronaldfinger
    Merch:
    teespring.com/stores/ronald-f...
    Amp Board Write-Up:
    www.howtoalmanac.com/Scott/How...
    David's Video:
    • Delco ETR radio - repa...
    Music
    www.epidemicsound.com/
  • ยานยนต์และพาหนะ

ความคิดเห็น • 1.7K

  • @RonaldFinger
    @RonaldFinger  3 ปีที่แล้ว +593

    To everyone saying I routed the belt wrong and also that I should clean the volume potentiometer to get rid of the static fully, GUESS WHAT?! You're absolutely right. Thank you so much for pointing these out to me, I really appreciate it :)

    • @RonaldFinger
      @RonaldFinger  3 ปีที่แล้ว +89

      @@Jon_A. someone who understands that the point of this project is to not let things go to waste and to gain new skills and experiences in the process, you absolute ding dong.

    • @Tillersweep
      @Tillersweep 3 ปีที่แล้ว +23

      I can't believe you angered the hardware gods by putting all the screws back in TWICE! You have courage my man.

    • @ratnfested
      @ratnfested 3 ปีที่แล้ว +10

      I thought you were putting the belt on wrong. HEEHEE. We have all done it

    • @enzoperruccio
      @enzoperruccio 3 ปีที่แล้ว +10

      Dude I was having a nervous breakdown when watching you put everything together with that belt wrong. Glad you noticed it :)

    • @aaronrichards2842
      @aaronrichards2842 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@RonaldFinger please rephrase...i dont understand the sarcasm. it is lost on me. also id be careful alienating watchers of your channel and name calling.

  • @kevinritchie9227
    @kevinritchie9227 3 ปีที่แล้ว +654

    This is one of those projects that on one hand you think, "Is he ever gonna get that Fiero done?" On the other hand, you are going to be sorry to see it come to an end.

    • @shadowrealm8014
      @shadowrealm8014 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Yup

    • @williamskagen9901
      @williamskagen9901 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      The story of most project cars right here!

    • @8bitnitwit
      @8bitnitwit 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      I hope he starts over with another car afterwards, I couldn't blame him if he doesn't though :D

    • @HaroldWilsonsGhost
      @HaroldWilsonsGhost 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      This, Project Binkey, and Geoffrey Croker's Land Rover restoration

    • @TravisFabel
      @TravisFabel 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Yeah this is never going to be done... Because other things will eventually break

  • @melted_pistons
    @melted_pistons 3 ปีที่แล้ว +919

    Easily the best restoration series on TH-cam!

    • @Kenny_P_abz
      @Kenny_P_abz 3 ปีที่แล้ว +15

      I’d vote for Project Binky but Ronald is fantastic.

    • @bradleyj.fortner2203
      @bradleyj.fortner2203 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      Check out My Mechanics: th-cam.com/channels/MrMVIBtqFW6O0-MWq26gqw.html
      He mostly restores old tools. But, I believe him to be the best. Watch a couple of his videos and you'll see what I mean. You'll be glad you did.

    • @mercury0214
      @mercury0214 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@Kenny_P_abz yea that guys also got a full blown shop an experience

    • @mercury0214
      @mercury0214 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@bradleyj.fortner2203 he’s very entertaining but that’s an entire different style of video my friend

    • @bradleyj.fortner2203
      @bradleyj.fortner2203 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@mercury0214 It's not entirely different. It's a restoration channel. He takes old junk and makes it nice again. Just like Ron is doing here. The only real difference is that he's working on tools instead of cars. Which I already acknowledged.

  • @philipgretzkowski895
    @philipgretzkowski895 3 ปีที่แล้ว +69

    Ronald deserves an industry award for this series. I'm completely serious. Any employer would benefit from having him on the team.

    • @hithere7382
      @hithere7382 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Businesses have to move a lot faster than this except museum restoration shops.

    • @bobbylee4270
      @bobbylee4270 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Agreed. He’s sharp, inquisitive, undaunted by challenges and completes the task.

    • @kianr2200
      @kianr2200 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

      it really blew me away how he takes the same patience to explain each part of the radio just as the car, seriously amazing work

  • @NoNameJustWords
    @NoNameJustWords 3 ปีที่แล้ว +265

    I am disabled, seriously ill and I don't have a drivers license, so I have absolutely no reason to watch car restoration videos, yet every time I see the notification for one of your videos I cant help but pause what I am watching, and watch your videos straight away!

    • @MarcosCodas
      @MarcosCodas 3 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      That's what I thought when I started watching Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman's Long Way Round series. That was 10 years ago. A positive turn in my health means I'm days away from buying my first motorcycle. But even before that, the hope that their adventures brought me healed me more than any other type of medicine. Hang in there, buddy!

    • @DaRaven9187
      @DaRaven9187 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I'm absolutely not interested in cars, i'm here for Ronald lol.

    • @VacFink
      @VacFink 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Its entertaining and I think we all appreciate both the attention to detail and the practical one bite at a time approach. It gives us all hope for any problem we face, even when its not a basket case Pontiac.

    • @ChairmanMeow1
      @ChairmanMeow1 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Hope you feel better

    • @NoNameJustWords
      @NoNameJustWords 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@ChairmanMeow1 Thank you!

  • @FahimAhmed-np9ux
    @FahimAhmed-np9ux 3 ปีที่แล้ว +424

    "just like any problem child pressing a hot iron against it is the obvious course of action" Im dead lmfao

    • @deephorizon1365
      @deephorizon1365 3 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      Oh did they use the hot iron too much?

    • @Jonathan_Taylor
      @Jonathan_Taylor 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      This might have been the best Dad joke that I've ever heard..

    • @patrickmorrissey2271
      @patrickmorrissey2271 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Classic. How do I subscribe to your newsletter???

    • @mikemccormack3997
      @mikemccormack3997 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @8:30 . Obvious experience Ronald gained from babysitting jobs to aquire money to fix the job. 😏

    • @christopherwilson9861
      @christopherwilson9861 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      As a middle school teacher, I can confirm the accuracy of this statement.

  • @jeremycarter
    @jeremycarter 3 ปีที่แล้ว +96

    Once you're done, you better get video of going to the previous owners house to get her reaction when she sees the car again so you can share that with us!

  • @montec6113
    @montec6113 3 ปีที่แล้ว +25

    12:33 lmao, dude you got yourself a V A P O R W A V E deck

  • @PaulBarwick
    @PaulBarwick 3 ปีที่แล้ว +191

    I'm really glad that I found this channel. One of the best on TH-cam.

  • @SataniaMcDowel
    @SataniaMcDowel 3 ปีที่แล้ว +236

    I'm deeply appreciative that you decided to keep and fix the OEM head unit than slapping a aftermarket one :"3

    • @J.n.A.1993
      @J.n.A.1993 3 ปีที่แล้ว +10

      Yep. She's only original once.

    •  3 ปีที่แล้ว +15

      Adding a BT module inside hooked directly to the amp would be a welcome mod. Kepping it OG but working with new stuff.

    • @darkmagician1184
      @darkmagician1184 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      @ bluetooth tape adapter would sound just as clean without any fiddling around inside. annoying that you would need to charge it every so often, but sound quality, top notch (and if he doesn't mine the wire to circumvent having to charge, the 3.5mm adapter is all the better/easier).
      now just need to have phone manufacturers stop removing headphone jacks.

    • @dsmandras
      @dsmandras 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@darkmagician1184 you could steal 12 volts from somewhere in the radio and step it down to 5, and then the tape adapter wouldn't need to be charged if you kept it in there all the time

    •  3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@darkmagician1184 If you are not a purist of sound or the base device is not great the tape adapter is fine, but its not great, the digital audio is turned to analog electric signals then into magnetic pulses, then picked up by the head of the tape wich reads the magnetic changes, then turn to electric pulses, preamplified, and then gets to the amplifier, a lot more steps and ways to get noise amplified than a BT module directly conected to the amplifier part of the stereo. But I agree that phones need to keep the audio jack, I dont like BT that much but having broke so many aux cables I understand the appeal now.

  • @madogery
    @madogery 3 ปีที่แล้ว +85

    I wish that this series would never come to an end... 🥺
    Hint for the casette player: I think you are very very close! I used to repair and clean many of these old casette players, and my assumption would be in this case that as You mentioned, may be the belt is tight a bit, this is normal, usually, the RPM of the cheap versions are not controlled by microcontroller, but there is a tunable resistor (potentiometer) you can tune the engine PRM with, this can be on the PCB or inside the motor, but there is a hole covered with some cross-cut sponge like material, you can push a little screwdriver through. The tape speed should be around 4.26cm/s, but if you have a well known track, you can adjust the speed 99% fine, just via ears. ;)
    The other thing that can cause meowing are
    1. that the grooves the belt are running in, can be dirty as well, these should be cleaned also.
    2. The 2 rubber rollers can be dirty,. These can be cleaned only during operation, beacuse it is so hard to reach the whole surface and apply enough pressure on the ear cleaning pick to be able to remove the thousand year old dirt... 😉
    On the other hand, the rubber roller may (does) shrink, especially when the car was sitting outside for decades, this should be checked also.
    During play, the roller is pushed to the chrome plated axle via spring, check there is enough spring force, so the tape won’t slip during play.
    I assume that the chrome plated axles which drive the rubber rollers can be turned easily by finger (of Finger 😉😜).
    If these inspection are performed and meowing still exists, the clutch mechanism(s, since You have autoreverse) should be checked. If the clutch is so hard, and the spring of the rubber roller(s) not tight enough it may happen that the tape is slipping between the roller and the chrome plated axle, but this situation is quite rare I think.
    If the meowing is the same independently from in which direction You are playing the tape I think the clutches are fine. (there is a very little chance that both are wrong exactly on the same way, I think)
    One remark: if You wish to use the player with other audio sources as you showed via smartphone, there is a much simpler way than using that horrible sound quality audio adapter tape: the cables ftom the 3.5mm jack connector can be soldered directly to the input of the amplifier module. Usually this is where the 3 cable (red, white, ground) of the head, (or more (?) cable in your case, since You have 2 heads becase of autorevese) is soldered on the PCB.
    I hope that this would help!
    Sorry for the novel! 😉
    BR,
    Gery

    • @MatthewWheeler13
      @MatthewWheeler13 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      If you are keeping the original head unit I wait total solder in an aux Jack. This would be a good Saturday project.

    • @chrishuyler3580
      @chrishuyler3580 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      I was able to get an aux jack into my Clarion head unit from similar vintage RX7 by doing something similar. However, you need to trace the cassette mechanism and figure out how it turns off the radio when you insert a cassette. You'll need some sort of switch or relay connected to a button to perform the same function when you want to listen to your auxiliary input...unless you want to hear the radio playing over it.

    • @hithere7382
      @hithere7382 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@chrishuyler3580 If you are a ghetto fabulous or super bubba wiring and circuit man you can just not plug the antenna in.

    • @FRITZI999
      @FRITZI999 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      WOW - nice, very nice description.
      For using any other Source like Smartphones there are Bluetoozth or radio Frequency Adaptors available to "stream" the Sound via own Frequency or BT - no soldering or wrecking of the original Radio necessary

    • @chrishuyler3580
      @chrishuyler3580 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@FRITZI999 those radio frequency adapters sound like compete garbage and even the best ones will limit you to FM frequency range. If you want dynamic highs and lows, it’s not difficult to hard wire an auxiliary input or Bluetooth chip.

  • @JVictorinoC
    @JVictorinoC 3 ปีที่แล้ว +16

    GM should give you an award for such a detailed and good restoration you are doing by yourself. I enjoy every chapter of the series. Greeting form México!

  • @AhnkoCheeOutdoors
    @AhnkoCheeOutdoors 3 ปีที่แล้ว +54

    When I saw "Made in Japan" on the radio, then I knew it was worth fixing. Good job Ronald, keep up the great work.

    • @rich_edwards79
      @rich_edwards79 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      As any 1980s kid knows, all the best stuff is made in Japan.

    • @dashcamandy2242
      @dashcamandy2242 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      @@rich_edwards79 The tape mechs are German. (Blaupunkt)

    • @mattrodgers4878
      @mattrodgers4878 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Some of the components might have come from Japan, but that radio was almost certainly made by the Delco Electronics factory in Kokomo, Indiana.

    • @janosnagyj.9540
      @janosnagyj.9540 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@dashcamandy2242 I'd say it's an Alps mech, that's why "Made in Japan", and not "Made in Germany"...

    • @slyknowledged
      @slyknowledged 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      I can still remember the ignorant phrase "Jap Crap" being tossed around about anything from over there. That was by the generation ahead of me mostly. It is neat to see the perspective changed. I've always been a fan of Japanese produced goods. From motorcycles to salt shakers, I've got plenty.

  • @nascargas
    @nascargas 3 ปีที่แล้ว +50

    I just recommended your restoration to a luthier who was wondering if there was an audience for a multi video series watching him built a heritage Irish stringed instrument from scratch.
    I mean who is going to follow a kid tearing down one of GMs most cultish iconic platforms and painstakingly rebuild it to near factory specs in his garage over 2 freaking years? Apparently there are thousands of us enough to actually follow your patreon. And we are glued to our screens as you do the minutia of following the signal to a little lightbulb that 99.9% of us would just ignore. And one viewer who like turtles.
    I am again saddened to note that this project is coming to a close. But there you have it. The car is nearly done and you did it. And you brought us along for the ride in which now we find ourselves invested in your success. I hope the Canadian Luthier does plan on doing a similar series. I hope if he sees your series he will understand that an audience exists for such projects.
    Cars and Guitars. What else can I say?

    • @IsaiahKeiser
      @IsaiahKeiser 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      What’s his channel? I’d watch the hell outta that

    • @nascargas
      @nascargas 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@IsaiahKeiser twoodfrd
      Just as its spelled. 👍

  • @shabaanmarijani1650
    @shabaanmarijani1650 3 ปีที่แล้ว +16

    love the “neighborhood creepo” 'stache

  • @junit483
    @junit483 3 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    It's oddly satisfying seeing an oddball Fiero be restored to factory condition.

  • @clokwork5920
    @clokwork5920 3 ปีที่แล้ว +104

    We've got an 86 Trans Am radio packed away waiting for the day we could afford for it to be repaired. I have some electrical and soldering background and this particular video has shown me - hey, I can totally do this and not fuck it up. Thanks for this and all the other awesome videos in this series.

    • @rsprockets7846
      @rsprockets7846 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      Same era caddy and pontiac high end units swap right in

    • @silasmarner7586
      @silasmarner7586 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I redid a 1987 Radio Shack Scanner, and yes I've disassembled it completely and reassembled it TWICE. It took cojones but I was tired tired tired of it sitting on my bedstand not working right.

    • @CLS2086
      @CLS2086 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Replace all capacitors, rework all soldering point, use contact spray cleaner in every connector and potentiometer, replace Belt, remove old grease, lub it. In 99% of time it should be ok.

    • @TheTalonts
      @TheTalonts 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Yep, on those older radios, just cleaning off the conformal and resoldering every joint you can get to can do wonders.
      The wiggle test isn't enough, you can get a bad signal through an overheated joint that crystallized. Reflowing any you can get to is the best way to make sure that isn't your problem, and really doesn't take long.

  • @caunltd
    @caunltd 3 ปีที่แล้ว +91

    Honestly, your content is easily the most entertaining and enjoyable on here. I’m tired of all the “influencer” crap pushed through TH-cam algorithms, so your videos are a welcome breath of fresh air..as opposed to the hot air blown up our a$$ daily. A genuine “thank you” for all the work, dedication, and perseverance on this project. I know it’s a LOT of work, but all your subscribers appreciate it much more than we can express.

    • @silasmarner7586
      @silasmarner7586 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      All of, and the only, stuff I watch is DIY/how to/ and so on. Eff the rest. The beauty of it is, I get to choose. Oh, wait, just like turning the channel or turning the TV off!

  • @Pooby1000
    @Pooby1000 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    There's just something interesting and satisfying about watching someone go to great lengths to restore an obsolete piece of technology that most people would throw away and replace with something newer.

  • @davoid96
    @davoid96 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    That “we just got a letter” remix moved me to tears

  • @ncc74656m
    @ncc74656m 3 ปีที่แล้ว +45

    I love that you spend so much time on a crap factory radio just to keep the extra bit of originality. I think this might be the best (non-over the top) car project on TH-cam. The other category obviously goes to BOM and Binky.

    • @peterdevreter
      @peterdevreter 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      After a mere 9 years project binky is spraypainted, so only 10 years to go and it will be done :)

    • @santosmedina4248
      @santosmedina4248 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Gingium has some of the best most professional (yet “homemade) projects

  • @sambazam1
    @sambazam1 3 ปีที่แล้ว +36

    Such a fan, I wish this series would never end 😢

  • @johnshrader1655
    @johnshrader1655 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Your skills and discipline are great. You are a model of a successful American man. Take it from an old geezer bookmaker, you're the real thing.

  • @Ogma3bandcamp
    @Ogma3bandcamp 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    My complete respect and admiration for getting that old bird running again. You have the patience of a saint.

  • @zackstopzackstop8091
    @zackstopzackstop8091 3 ปีที่แล้ว +63

    Man I remember way back when I watched part one of the Fiero restoration when it was posted 4 days ago man it was so long ago

  • @MichaelThomas-be7gq
    @MichaelThomas-be7gq 3 ปีที่แล้ว +13

    This is my favourite car on the internet, so many episodes, ups, downs, dramas, and good times. That was a really fantastic demonstration of undaunted common sense. Great work Ronald, looks like you are on the home straight.

    • @BLKMGK4
      @BLKMGK4 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Have you heard of Binky? :-)

  • @katsastus
    @katsastus 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Ronald, you are the finger we'll all missed, but didn't deserve. Thanks!

  • @FSX239
    @FSX239 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thanks for sharing the journey. My favorite restoration series.

  • @celestek.b.5257
    @celestek.b.5257 3 ปีที่แล้ว +12

    Ronnie is channeling his inner dad with the stache and glasses. I feel like he's gonna call me "Champ" and then offer to take me in his Fiero to go get ice cream.

    • @PistonsProps
      @PistonsProps 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Never say no to free ice cream and a ride in a Fiero.

  • @chickencurry7642
    @chickencurry7642 3 ปีที่แล้ว +15

    18:30 made me smile... you've got some loyal subscribers... including me. Been here since the Iron Man helmet video...

  • @akinoffury2332
    @akinoffury2332 3 ปีที่แล้ว +20

    "Not gonna happen"
    *The same synthwave track everyone has heard in a time lapse on some vlog or another*

  • @brianstevens7241
    @brianstevens7241 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I was an electronics major in the 80's. Thanks for caring about our craft.

  • @jked7463
    @jked7463 3 ปีที่แล้ว +20

    Its old enough that the tape idler wheels (that the capstans roll against) have to be hard. They make a liquid that softens the wheels back to new. Also demagnetize the heads. That will make it sound better. If the belt is the right tension, not too tight or loose, the capacitors on the speed control board might need to be changed.

    • @aaronrichards2842
      @aaronrichards2842 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      also couldve got a cd - tape recorder and downloaded some non copyrighted music to tape. also demagnetize the heads works. he couldve worked around that issue easily. that 80's music background music he uses...just tape that.

    • @majcrash
      @majcrash 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Rubber Renue. It smells bad, but it works!

    • @enzoperruccio
      @enzoperruccio 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      The low speed is probably because he installed the belt wrong and stretched it a bit. Look closely and you'll notice both capstans are turning in the same direction, which is not right.

    • @jked7463
      @jked7463 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@enzoperruccio good catch, that would do it. I noticed how he wrapped the belt around both pullies but did not stop to analyze it. Suprprised it is playing at all.

    • @enzoperruccio
      @enzoperruccio 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@jked7463 I mean, you shouldn't be surprised at all ;). This mechanism is like two separate players joined together, which means that, as long as at least one of the capstans gets movement in the correct direction the machine will work just fine.

  • @user-gx1sv3hj9k
    @user-gx1sv3hj9k 3 ปีที่แล้ว +76

    Why the hell does this video make me nostalgic for a time that ended like 15 years before i was born

    • @MCRideout
      @MCRideout 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Born.... *again*....

    • @cmdoseck3022
      @cmdoseck3022 3 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      .......because your instincts tell you that it was a much better era👍......trust me, it was awesome.

    • @DanaTheInsane
      @DanaTheInsane 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I disagree, I was there too. The 80’s sucked. I suppose it’s a matter of perspective.

    • @jked7463
      @jked7463 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      The engines were in the infant stage of emissions control so the horsepower was anemic. But that also made it exciting when a manufacturer eeked out another 5 horsepower. Now a days, someone mentions 700 hp and we say but so and so has 1000 hp. Other than the hp, the cars were more honest then. They were not rolling computers that did everything for you. You had to know where you were going, how to get there and drive the car!!! Driving was fundamental. The best driver was the fastest.

    • @cmdoseck3022
      @cmdoseck3022 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@DanaTheInsane yeah, I was born in 75' and I don't have good memories of the early 80's......but I guess that the late 80's into the 90's was the awesome part. The 90's by far were the best but the cool cars and such from the earlier eras were still around......quality or not😏...

  • @gorangonzo
    @gorangonzo 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Part 1 of the Fiero Project showed in the reccomended section years ago. I've watched every video ever since. Love your work. Great job on restoring the original radio. Nothing beats the rewarding feeling when you make old stuff working again. Keep up the good job. Can't wait for the next episode of the Fiero Project.

  • @supermike0822
    @supermike0822 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Amazing job, Ronald... your curiosity and willingness to dive in and learn about and repair things like this is impressive! I've really enjoyed your videos on this project and look forward to them!

  • @chuchitosalazar
    @chuchitosalazar 3 ปีที่แล้ว +34

    12:31 Instant Vapowave Music for you car...

    • @sumosloths98
      @sumosloths98 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I was honestly expecting Floral Shoppe

  • @DanSyvitski
    @DanSyvitski 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    My favorite part of this series is the running edit gag of you jumping in to tell yourself "Nice move smart guy. Good going."

  • @timrennie7496
    @timrennie7496 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Love your patient methodical approach; great results!

  • @Timmy.clevenger
    @Timmy.clevenger 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I absolutely love how in depth you’re going to restore this thing

  • @wunderjeeson
    @wunderjeeson 3 ปีที่แล้ว +40

    Hall and Oates: Who's this Ronald guy playing our stuff?

    • @aaronrichards2842
      @aaronrichards2842 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      lol. "were going to lose millions of $$$$$$$ on this!!!! who is this finger guy!!!"

    • @leifhietala8074
      @leifhietala8074 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@aaronrichards2842 Best bit: the highest-charting single from that album, peaking at No. 11, was "So Close." Could you EVER have a more appropriate song title?

    • @irukhan07
      @irukhan07 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Anyone know which Hall and Oats song that was?

    • @pspmed
      @pspmed 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@irukhan07 halfway there

    • @pspmed
      @pspmed 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@irukhan07 th-cam.com/video/2r95AeJFx1c/w-d-xo.html

  • @robertu
    @robertu 3 ปีที่แล้ว +31

    7:57 "Tha bigga tha glob, tha betta tha job"

    • @majcrash
      @majcrash 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I know that's the joke, but on something special, using a magnifier to make a proper solder joint should be the call. I'm glad the repair worked.

    • @MadameM.
      @MadameM. 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      shouldn't it be...the betta tha Job...the bigga the glob?

  • @Bri-tg6xr
    @Bri-tg6xr 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I have nothing but mad respect for the editing for this video, everything is done very nice. Once that music hits, I'm jamming along as a kid born in 1985, I can appreciate it very much. Keep it up dude.

  • @calenard7290
    @calenard7290 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    As always, a pleasure watching you work

  • @UnWrecked
    @UnWrecked 3 ปีที่แล้ว +39

    The copyright gods have spoken. I hate having to reupload a masterpiece

    • @Novusod
      @Novusod 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      The actual music used in the montage:
      Eyes to See it by ELEF
      th-cam.com/video/_RqSyUVFPu8/w-d-xo.html

    • @UnWrecked
      @UnWrecked 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@Novusod I pay for a license to use music from artlist

  • @williwucher9927
    @williwucher9927 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Discovered this channel in march (first lockdown). One year later, I'm still in love

  • @manujadesilva22
    @manujadesilva22 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    This is one of the most satisfying restorations I've ever watched, and it gives me the inspiration to take things apart myself. Awesome work !

  • @CreatorCade
    @CreatorCade 3 ปีที่แล้ว +17

    I’m gonna be sad when this series is over.

  • @BoomerKeith1
    @BoomerKeith1 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    One of my favorite things about this project is how you've kept as much original 'stuff' as possible. Nice touch with the old Delco! This video reminded me of how bad car stereos used to be from the factory.

    • @muskokamike127
      @muskokamike127 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Not only were they terrible, but the car makers would create oddball shapes so your couldn't easily replace them with something better. Think of the 1988 Cavalier and Grand Prix....this was long before double din as well. Ones like the fiero you could pull that out and buy a scosche adapter that added a little tray underneath to take up the extra space.
      It was a blessing when they started actually taking car audio seriously and put decent stereos in vehicles.......I say "decent" meaning that they are fine for most people......I'm trying to remember (other than Lamborghini) who started putting higher end audio systems in vehicles. I think it was Bose who first teamed up with them.....

    • @BoomerKeith1
      @BoomerKeith1 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@muskokamike127 YES! Someone that knows the pain. When I was young I wanted to blast my music but the factory stereos were so bad that it just sounded like a distorted mess until you went and bought a good system, amp, speakers, etc. Now, the systems are mostly pretty solid (admittedly, I don't blast my music like I used to).
      I remember Bose being one of the first true audio companies to partner with someone for car stereo equipment. I don't remember who it was either.

    • @TheaterGeek2007
      @TheaterGeek2007 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      As a former inspector for an electronic assembly company, I am deeply disturbed by how much stuff leaves factories only to fail because of poor solder joints. That's one of the first things to look for, and usually one of the easiest to see, right behind missing or backwards components.

    • @muskokamike127
      @muskokamike127 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@TheaterGeek2007 Not always the easiest to see.....I've seen some that look perfectly fine....except it was a cold joint so the solder never actually made good contact with the stem.......all it took was a little more heat and the solder attached to the component.....but even still: this is a 40 year old vehicle.....no doubt there's a few failed connections in it......

    • @muskokamike127
      @muskokamike127 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@BoomerKeith1 Yup, right there with you! Nowadays I'm lucky if I have the radio on at all lol.....
      A little google search turned up Delco Bose in a 1985 Cadillac.....I seem to recall BMW or ?? started putting Blaupunkt head units in.....

  • @troymcdougall6170
    @troymcdougall6170 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Well done Ron to keep the original deck! That took a lot of guts to take that all apart, to try to fix it, but you pulled it off. great job!

  • @ericbellscheidt3682
    @ericbellscheidt3682 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Hall & Oates cassette tape? This kid has an old soul . . . A good, old soul . . . Rock on Ronald . . .

  • @Onemoretake01
    @Onemoretake01 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I love this channel. The Fiero is one part of the reason that I've started watching, but not the single reason I come back. I'm interested to see what next big project you have up your sleeve.

  • @soulextracter
    @soulextracter 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Ronny: -"...the display doesn't work and neither does the tape deck."
    My immediate thought after having watched many Techmoan, Technology connection, LGR and 8-Bit guy videos: IT'S THE DRIVE BELT! IT HAS TO BE!

    • @rich_edwards79
      @rich_edwards79 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I suspect there's a lot of overlap between viewers of car restoration and retro electronics restoration/ resurrection channels.

    • @soulextracter
      @soulextracter 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@rich_edwards79 I suspect so too. I know I'm nostalgic about the past that I didn't even live through, so I watch videos where people review old tech. I love seeing really grimy, mucky things get cleaned, so I watch car detailing videos and rug cleaning videos etc. And I love seeing things get built from the ground up, so I watch restoration videos and videos where people build things like log cabins and stuff like that.

  • @joecunningham1937
    @joecunningham1937 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Hey, this is joe from the future... that next episode you uploaded was awesome👍

  • @enriquevw7915
    @enriquevw7915 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    This video is so inspiring. Repair before tossing out. Your very calm demeanor makes your projects very enjoyable. Thank you!

  • @rockersuki
    @rockersuki 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I'm going to cry when this series is over 🙁 I love your filming style and how in depth you are with every issue and how you resolve them!

  • @alan.schertz
    @alan.schertz 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Hey Ronald, nice work. It was the thumbnail that got me to watch your video. I immediately knew that was a Delco Electronics radio. Not because I had a Fiero, but because my dad worked for Delco Radio, which did one more iteration to Delco Electronics. He worked for them from 1960 to the early 90's. There is a reasonable chance one of his patents is in that unit of yours. He has since made the great heap and is no longer scribbling out the differential equations on his church bulletin (possibly not listening entirely to the service?). But he was always working on mathematical electrical engineering equations even when not at work. Math, Physics, and engineering was his passion, and Delco Electronics made it possible for him to use that passion to raise a family. We were all truly thankful for his career and the existence it provided, and as a result, I was raised as a GM kid. Delco Electronics was a pretty interesting place. When my dad hired with them in the 60's, it was all about the power transistor. He used calculus and and algebra to figure out biasing of the circuitry to build transistor based audio amplifiers for cars radios. But then in the 70's Delco Electronics made the decision to start making their own integrated circuits. Commonly know as ICs. To do this, they also grew their own silicon. Nobody else was growing silicon except for the dudes in silicon valley and in Japan. But there they were, in Kokomo Indiana, growing vertical columns of silicon, then slicing wafers of silicon, masking off layers in what was almost was a photographic process, to build complete transistor circuitry onto wafers, that then would be sliced up and placed in an IC packages. But with the mass exodus, all research and development left Kokomo for suppliers who I guess are now located in China. It is sad to drive by the Research and Engineering building in Kokomo, for to this day it stands empty. A lot of thinking, long hours of problem solving and maybe even some stale cigarette smoke is still echoing around in there. I don't know if youtube lets you place links in comments, but in homage to my dad here is a link of his patents while he worked at Delco Electronics: patents.justia.com/inventor/burtron-d-schertz Thanks for reminding me of my upbringing, my Dad, Delco Electronics and even the beloved Fiero! I sooo miss my Dad to this day. Carry on your content creation Ronald! And I look forward to more of your content. I subscribed!

    • @RonaldFinger
      @RonaldFinger  3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Wow Alan! I checked out the link (it does work) and I'm very positive that some of your dad's patents are in my unit. That is absolutely incredible. Thank you so much for taking the time to share! It's because of the very, very rare comments I get like this why I love making these videos.

    • @alan.schertz
      @alan.schertz 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@RonaldFinger Well I probably should have also stated that your open song was basically my mantra growing up. Being that my dad was an engineer, he allowed me to dissect just about anything. It was a form of learning for me. But I definitely felt the feelings that you so nicely put into song at the start the video. (I really did not have any confidence, and still suffer a bit from that today) So I was hooked by your song right from the start. All thru my life I always wanted to be an engineer like my dad. I liked making things but I also was a bit lazy. I only wanted to do what came easily. Most of it revolved around taking something apart and rebuilding something different. I was the weirdo kid who took a soapbox derby wheel set and my parents bed sheet and made a sail car to tool around my neighborhood. I was creative at being a "maker" but not very motivated by school. I loved school but only for the social side of it. Long story short, I never reached a high enough algebra skills to actually be good at calculus. I mean I could memoize enough to be a c student, but not what it takes to actually use the tools as needed to be an engineer. Luckily, when I went to college, I could study computer science which allowed me again to squeak by (and build things), but not without all of the math requirements of electrical engineering. I never reached the level of my dad's brain power. No patents in my name! But I do know that he was proud of me, my creations, and my work. Oh! I also want to throw in this point: when you were reviewing your work on the fluorescent display and the incandescent bulbs, I again was reminded of a time that I learned that cars dim their dashboard lights when you turn the headlights on. Fun little things in life that most folk never notice, but it was cool to see you find that morsel as well. Thanks for the reply, thanks for being you, thanks for making content, and here is to Burt Schertz and all the others at Delco Electronics! (looking forward to future content!)

  • @TechTokOffical
    @TechTokOffical 3 ปีที่แล้ว +21

    Unknown forgotten feature: press the top volume button while the radio and car is off,without key in and the time will pop up

    • @annakelly9850
      @annakelly9850 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Does anyone know the trick of programming 7 stations, not just the 4? Press them in pairs.

    • @spod2998
      @spod2998 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      You can even set the time if you have the patience!
      Though these radios aren't ever "fully" functioning. If you step into an 80s GM vehicle that somehow still has one of these it's always broken at least one way. Even Ronald's has a broken clock and radio component.

    • @christianmccombs1913
      @christianmccombs1913 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@spod2998 mine works compleatly fine... knock on wood though lol

  • @gavinc8635
    @gavinc8635 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    This man deserves an award for the amount of work and passion he puts into his videos and his projects

  • @kamrana7157
    @kamrana7157 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    The Fiero is looking great man. The radio display makes the interior look complete. Amazing editing as usual, can't wait for the next video!

  • @mubashshirnasir4423
    @mubashshirnasir4423 3 ปีที่แล้ว +13

    Opening to blues clues😂👌

  • @morganlewis2667
    @morganlewis2667 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    FYI: the "little wheels" in the tape deck are called 'Pinch rollers" They can be cleaned of magnetic tape coating like the head and capstan with iso alcohol. In addition, hard and glazed ones can be rejuvenated lightly with # 400 - 600 paper. It can help speed issues. Back in the day there were wet cassettes for preventative maintenance and repair. So glad you got a belt.

  • @stephendeluca4675
    @stephendeluca4675 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    The finish line is in sight. You have accomplished something that very few of us ever will but wished we could. Thank you.

  • @paulhoskins7852
    @paulhoskins7852 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    This is going above and beyond on a restoration for a Fiero.... Most people would throw this radio in the trash and replace it with something much better and more modern. Ronald, it's quite impressive, you are truly dedicated to a full restoration. Still.... I think that radio belongs in the trash.... just my opinion.

  • @neogain
    @neogain 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Why i get "I would walk 500 miles - The Proclaimers" in my head XD

    • @neogain
      @neogain 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@rhodesm6683 haha, your welcome... Cheers from Eppelborn Germany ;)

  • @DanielMcGregor
    @DanielMcGregor 3 ปีที่แล้ว +15

    "I don't know what I'm doing..." I thought I was the only one singing that song. ;D

    • @gooberclese
      @gooberclese 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thats literally my fixing it jam....I heard it out loud and was like...WTF ?

  • @txtamaman
    @txtamaman 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Ronald, you and Vice grip are the best channels I've ever seen for this kind of stuff!.. love it

  • @Todd66
    @Todd66 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I had a 1984 Fiero. My mother worked at Delco Electronics and she had a engineer friend that knew I had a Fiero and knew the OEM radio left much to be desired. He told her to have me drop the car off one morning at the gate. He put a OEM Bonneville radio in. It was really nice because it had the EQ built in and all the lights on the radio were red, which matched the interior lights of the Fiero perfectly. When I sold the Fiero I kept the radio and installed it in another Fiero. This time it was a 85. Loved that radio.
    I really like these videos.

  • @oikkuoek
    @oikkuoek 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    When restoring an old circuitboard, that has been, and most likely will be, exposed to moisture, a fresh coating of sealant is in order. This prevents electrical issues, like fires and such.

  • @Burritosuupreme
    @Burritosuupreme 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    The wow and flutter issue could still be a belt issue. The method I use to get the right size is threading a string through the tape path, measuring the string and multiplying the length by .95 to get the proper belt length.

  • @MrDmitriRavenoff
    @MrDmitriRavenoff 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I love that you have put this much love into a humble Iron Duke Fiero. Wonderful job.

  • @baffled4life
    @baffled4life 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    by far my favorite resto series. Well done!

  • @rgbigdog
    @rgbigdog 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    When doing soldering on circuit boards it's ideal to using the thinnest solder you can get to do the job.

    • @klaasj7808
      @klaasj7808 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      no the thinnest suck big time as it is for smd.

  • @tomdixon1213
    @tomdixon1213 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I want to see you drive it to the previous owner you bought it from and show it to him. You promised him you woul take care of it. I would love to see the reaction now that you have made the Fiero whole once again.

  • @just__dave
    @just__dave 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Distance makes the heart grow fonder, they say. Same holds true for these Fiero videos. If you gave us new vids every week, I don’t think I’d be nearly as invested. It’s like Christmas every time!

  • @802Garage
    @802Garage 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I wrote a comment about the screen dimming being intentional, but figured I should watch the whole video before letting you know. Glad I waited. Awesome work and glad you figured out the potentiometer static as well! It is a pretty cool tape deck.

  • @kelvinbrown8136
    @kelvinbrown8136 3 ปีที่แล้ว +15

    Dude where is the contact cleaner and lithium grease 😅

    • @MrCarGuy
      @MrCarGuy 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Definitely should've used these.

  • @zaraak323i
    @zaraak323i 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    I'm willing to bet that the Auto-Reverse doesn't work in the configuration that you showed in this video. You have the belt on incorrectly, both the capstans are turning the same direction. It's a little difficult to explain, but the belt has to go under the capstan closest to the motor, where you have it going over it. The far capstan is fine.

    • @enzoperruccio
      @enzoperruccio 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Thank god, I thought I was the only one who noticed it. This could also be the reason the deck is running slow, since the belt is a bit tighter than usual.

  • @davidgood1205
    @davidgood1205 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Been getting into electronics restoration videos lately, was really neat to see you get this working again!

  • @johnsholock9070
    @johnsholock9070 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I had the same tape deck in my 85 fiero. What a coincidence...amazing! Love the series, brings back so many memories.

  • @iliketurtles4869
    @iliketurtles4869 3 ปีที่แล้ว +109

    I like turtles

    • @Cube6529
      @Cube6529 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Me too!

    • @pec-chest
      @pec-chest 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Man I love frogs

    • @yamamatalk7002
      @yamamatalk7002 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

      yes you are

  • @abdulrehmansoomro78
    @abdulrehmansoomro78 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Finally!!!!!!!

  • @bodytolson7390
    @bodytolson7390 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    So glad I discovered this a long time ago, been a nice ride watching you restore this car

  • @drott150
    @drott150 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    The radio is perfect. It completes the time capsule effect inside the car, as it should. Thank you for bringing back to life what was brand new to me as a 19 year old.

  • @rawshooter7530
    @rawshooter7530 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I have a circa late 80's Alpine Head unit you can have to replace that Delco unit. lol

  • @chris_auberry
    @chris_auberry 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Let’s gooooooooo 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

    • @joshuamorehead6124
      @joshuamorehead6124 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Ahh a man of culture, you watch Polecat324 too

    • @chris_auberry
      @chris_auberry 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@joshuamorehead6124 >:)

  • @Blingo.Blongo
    @Blingo.Blongo 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    This helped me a ton! I recently bought a 93 Chevy Blazer with the same GM Delco Radio! Thanks Ronald! 🤙

  • @MegaMeme1975
    @MegaMeme1975 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    It was so great to watch every video on this restoration! Witch channels and videos like this awesome to watch anywhere anytime ! Thank you and hope to see more of your videos !

  • @SpaceMissile
    @SpaceMissile 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    12:17 - _"It's what the people want!"_

  • @vaselivitch
    @vaselivitch 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    8:30 bruh..... i almost spit my water all over my screen...

  • @thediddly
    @thediddly 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I commend your effort! Well done so far, and i must add the 80's music adds the perfect era's ambience. Well done!

  • @nicholasjungheim2667
    @nicholasjungheim2667 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I am very impressed with you being able get this old tech back into business. Great!

  • @DeadKoby
    @DeadKoby 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    If you don't know what you're doing, Then you have an opportunity to learn. Look at it that way.

  • @NickyTwoTags
    @NickyTwoTags 3 ปีที่แล้ว +15

    bro, u had a perfect vaporwave maker before you lubed it :(

  • @watsontcbc
    @watsontcbc 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Impressive. And a lot of good tips for electronics repair. Thanks Ron!

  • @BroBuilds
    @BroBuilds 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Great video as always, Ronnie! I decided to update my radio to something more modern, but I definitely respect the idea of keeping it original.

  • @DrFiero
    @DrFiero 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    @5:14 When you flick on the marker lights, it sends power to the deck to make the VF display dim.
    (edit) which you figured out later on!

  • @johnh10000
    @johnh10000 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    parasitic draw, oh more current increased resistance equals the lights go dim..

  • @reneneron2971
    @reneneron2971 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I must say..impressive. Getting an old Delco radio to work; very impressive. Not a Fiero fan, but amazed what you did to bring that heap back and enjoyed the entire series.

  • @fernandalimabarbosa6003
    @fernandalimabarbosa6003 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    here's the thing: i understand nothing of cars or electronics, but i'm having a hell of a good time watching you revive the fiero. cheers.