I've got a '71 cadillac and the speakers do not appear to function. Can I purchase any 6x9 speakers or do I need to look at a particular type, since my "head unit", which is an 1971 Cadillac AM/FM 8-track piece, is an older model stereo?

I have no specifications on the stereo readily available and I assume it works, since the previous owner said "everything worked when we parked it 8 years ago".

Speakers should not be that different. The real question would be fitting the speakers, but caddies have loads of room.

Doc here,

The only thing you need to be concerned with when replacing speakers, is will they physically fit, and do they meet the output wattage and resistance of the stereo.

Speakers generally run in 4 8 and 16 watt flavors. AND any will play with the system...but a resistance match will make it sound better....IE 4 ohm output, to 4 ohm speakers means the maximum wattage can be delivered to the load (speaker) making the system more efficient (sounding better)

Wattage is also important, If the stereo is 50 watt out times 4 and you put in 4 25 watt speakers, don't expect them to "live long and prosper" if you like loud music (Volume all the way up)

What has me concerned here is you say all four went dead, that's highly unusual for all to die at once...even if they were sun bleached and the cones ripped to shreds, you'd get some kind of crappy sound at least from one of them.

I would first consider checking the fuses to the what you describe as a "Head unit" Does this have a remote amp? Is it switching on? That'll kill your audio...And next check the speaker harness to see that it hasn't fallen off or someone ran a sheet-metal screw through it.

Next go to FRY'S if you have one near you, or Rat Shack and buy 1 6 x 9 speaker , should set you back about 10 bucks...then start at whichever speaker is easiest to get to in the car and pull the wires and plug them to your new speaker, Try the radio, if it plays then OK, get 3 more of them...If not you need to troubleshoot the audio system.

Does it have a power amp in the trunk, and if so is the control switching hooked up? and is it's fuse good? Control switching is different then power to the amp...it turns the amp on with the radio through the power antenna lead from the radio...If this were dead, you'd get 1 red light on the amp, (main power) but not actually turning it on.

You might want to check the harness point to point with an ohm meter or test light to insure integrity from radio to speaker.

If all thats good, (and you really want to keep the O/S radio.pull it and take it to an auto radio repair shop, something is wrong with it.If your not interested in saving the old radio consider replacement with a new CD/radio package, which will run you about 1/3 less then bench repair of the old radio.

Hope it helps!

Doc

__________________
Aftermarket Solutions
Electronic & Electrical
Innovations

Some good points there. The Radio Shack test piece is a good idea.

I do want to keep the am/fm 8-track, for no other reason than nostalgia. I found two 8-tracks in the glove box, too. I don't want a loud system, necessarily, I just want what I have to play. I should probably first get the specs of the stereo itself.

I can get to the rear speakers easily. I believe there is a remove amp, as well. I have a couple more questions, but I need to take a picture of the piece attached to the speaker to adequately describe what I am trying to ask.