Eric's 1984 Cougar - UPDATED

Topic: Eric's 1984 Cougar - UPDATED (Read 12614 times) previous topic - next topic

Eric's 1984 Cougar - UPDATED

Reply #60 – April 01, 2008, 10:58:31 PM

Yes, I actually spent money and put in an 8-track radio. :)

I've got quite a few 8-tracks laying around, and access to more, and even more that I have to dig out. But here's the kicker...I have an old Panasonic home stereo with an 8-track recorder built in. So the plan is to keep downloading digital music from iTunes, hook the stereo up to the computer, record the music on the blank 8-track, and voila! My own digital-to-buttstuffog conversion. :D

Actually Tom, I've found evidence that 8-track radios were available for 1984. There was an '84 part number available; it may have been only through the dealer and not an in-dash factory install. There's info in my '84 owner's manual about them, too. What I'm really after is the factory digital 8-track player that's pictured in there. It's got to be a rare beast:

Shawn, those are full factory vents. The '84 base brushed dash panels were darker than '83s but I believe those are still the lighter silver 1983 vents.

And yeah, the center console panel was removed for the photos, as I'm replacing the aluminum plate with an NOS one.

Here's some more shots:

(note my Best of Foghat tape)

Anyway, this is the first radio that I ever remember where I had to make the wiring on the radio itself match what was in the car. Took some parts swapping but I got it figured out. There's a dude on eBay that rebuilds these old 8-track radios and puts in new bands, makes sure all the buttons work properly, slide dial works, etc. Then he puts in an 8-track and bench tests it for 24 hours straight. And I get a guarantee with it. I figure, if the stock tape deck is going to sound like total shiznit, and I have very few cassettes anymore, I may as well go all the way back retro-style and kick the funky 8's.

But just in case, I have an 8-track to cassette adapter. And a cassette to iPod adapter. And yes, the two work great together.

Ahh...the joys of factory 7-watt stereos again...

Eric's 1984 Cougar - UPDATED

Reply #61 – April 01, 2008, 11:15:30 PM

That digital unit would be slick...

While I don't have a 8 Track in any of my vehicles, you ain't got anything on me... I still have a '74(or there abouts), Realistic 8T player/recorder... Yes I still use it occasionally...

Eric's 1984 Cougar - UPDATED

Reply #62 – April 01, 2008, 11:46:09 PM

Quote from: EricCoolCats;212112

So the plan is to keep downloading digital music from iTunes, hook the stereo up to the computer, record the music on the blank 8-track, and voila! My own digital-to-buttstuffog conversion. :D
...

That is SUCH an awesome idea. I wonder how hard to find 8-track recorders are. If I owned a car from the 70s I would totally find one and do the same thing, so I could listen to what I wanted in period-correct equipment!!!

Eric's 1984 Cougar - UPDATED

Reply #63 – April 02, 2008, 08:03:26 AM

! I actually looked at that and thought "No, he didn't put an 8 track in there"

Guess I am the April Fool:toilet:

:D

Eric's 1984 Cougar - UPDATED

Reply #64 – April 02, 2008, 08:33:01 AM

Now all you need is the factory CB radio that was available in '83 :hick:

Better yet, the voice box from an '83 talking Cougar :hick: :hick:

(Yes, I know those weren't available in '84, but neither were turbines

)

Eric's 1984 Cougar - UPDATED

Reply #65 – April 02, 2008, 09:19:03 AM

that is cool, I have a big banana box sitting around here loaded with 8track tapes...

Eric's 1984 Cougar - UPDATED

Reply #66 – April 02, 2008, 09:42:49 AM

Quote from: 1WLD BRD;212167

that is cool, I have a big banana box sitting around here loaded with 8track tapes...

That said... BE CAREFUL WITH THE CARTRIDGES...

The foam rubber insert under the tape will have deteriorated and may gum up the player... It really should be replaced for best performance... The best ones use a copper spring and felt pads to apply pressure to the tape(I believe most cassettes use same system)... Even worse, in some cartridges(Lear Jets I believe) the pinch rollers have turned to a jell and those will really gum up the works...

Till about a dozen years ago, I had a Ford cartridge that had never been opened, was still in the cellophane wrapper... Then one day in a moment of stupidity I decided to open it, now I don't remember why...

Eric's 1984 Cougar - UPDATED

Reply #67 – April 02, 2008, 10:11:32 AM

Quote from: TurboCoupe50

Then one day in a moment of [COLOR="Red"]senility[/COLOR] I decided to open it

Fixed :hick:

Eric's 1984 Cougar - UPDATED

Reply #68 – April 02, 2008, 10:20:34 AM

Quote from: V8Demon;212174

Fixed :hick:

I can't remember if I was senile a dozen years ago or not...:D

Tom

Wow

Reply #69 – April 02, 2008, 11:12:00 AM

Wow man, that's incredible, it's nice when a dream comes together.

Quote from: EricCoolCats;149565

So you V6 guys and gals, don't let peer pressure or other people's opinions sway you. Stick to your guns.

As far as the V6 goes, here here! My Cougar A will forever have the 3.8L

:burnout:

Go

Go!

Eric's 1984 Cougar - UPDATED

Reply #70 – April 02, 2008, 11:27:04 AM

ours also !!!

Eric's 1984 Cougar - UPDATED

Reply #71 – April 02, 2008, 12:17:39 PM

Quote from: cougarXLS;212185

Wow man, that's incredible, it's nice when a dream comes together.

As far as the V6 goes, here here! My Cougar A will forever have the 3.8L

:burnout:

Go Go!

I would have kept mine but the main bearing is whipped.
If i'm going through that much work to fix it, it's just as easy to replace it all together with a 302 that I now have

Eric's 1984 Cougar - UPDATED

Reply #72 – April 02, 2008, 01:51:47 PM

I just read this thread. Excellent job preserving an original, Eric!

If you decide you don't want that 8-track...drop me a line. One of our Lincolns will need it:

Eric's 1984 Cougar - UPDATED

Reply #73 – April 02, 2008, 02:43:45 PM

You know, I thought about putting the old Sanyo 8-track my dad had in his Comet and Charger into the Cougar. Keyword here is thought

I have to admit they're pretty cool though. I'm still in the process of converting all my 8-tracks, cassettes, and records to digital.

Eric's 1984 Cougar - UPDATED

Reply #74 – April 02, 2008, 02:53:48 PM

yay, what do i win?! *Gets kicked in the nuts* :flame:

I was at the local goodwill and found a couple 8-tracks~So i bought em just 'cuz it's a rarity to me, rofl.
Dad says he has a player... somewhere, Maybe well dig out it someday. :hick:

I think they did this on pimp my ride once, with recording capabilities and stuff in the car.