They don't get any more basic than this '69 Zenith clock radio

[radiotvnut]

I was at my local flea market and found this dirty old white plastic Zenith clock radio laying face up in one of the booths. When I picked it up, it had a faded "25 cents" price sticker on the cabinet. I figured that it should be worth that much just for the speaker or whatever else I could use; so, I took it up to the counter and told the clerk where I found it and she was amazed that anything in that booth was that cheap (I was amazed that anythig in that whole flea market was that cheap). I told her that I didn't know anything about that and she said that's what the guy probably paid for the radio. She went ahead and let me have it for a quarter. I'm sure when the owner finds out, he'll blow a gasket, saying "You mean to tell me that you sold that radio for 25 cents! It was worth at least $50".

It is from the "Z" model line (1969) and only uses 4 transistors. The clock does not run; but, the radio plays surprisingly well to be only a 4 transistor model. Unfortunately, this set was made after Zenith started using PC boards for it's radios and there looks to be some foreign components inside. At any rate, it was only a quarter; so, I guess I'll clean it up, fix the clock, and put it with the collection.

[Reece]

Wow, not much inside. It looks as if everything would come out with screws. I've done that on plastic sets like this and then given the case a bath all over (after removing the spider.) Dig the ancient-type plug somebody put on the cord. Is that big hunk of aluminum top left the heat sink for the output stage?

[radiotvnut]

Yes, that is the output transistor heatsink.

[wa2ise]

It has a hot chassis, and the circuit probably similar to this:

That cabinet design may have housed a tube radio in the previous year's model.

[marty59]

Heck, I would have bought it just for the vintage style plug!! Interesting radio though..

[jln1966]

The clock probably needs a good cleaning and lube and it would probably work. I like the vintage plug too. I have seen lots of plugs like that on many things. I have a brown GE clock radio similar to that I found in the trash. The clock on it works but the radio doesnt.
John

[radiotvnut]

I decided to dive into the clock. Once I removed the entire movement from the case, I released the two spring clips that hold the motor assembly in place. Once I removed the motor and applied power, I could tell that the trouble was in the motor assembly, since nothing turned. The capsule (gear box and armature assembly) simply unclips and slides out of the motor winding assembly. Once I got the capsule out, I gently pried up on the lip around the outer diameter on top of the capsule, in order to remove the capsule housing and expose the gears. Once I got everything exposed, I discovered that the motor armature was stuck. I cleaned and relubricated the inside of the capsule as best I could and the armature now turns freely. When I reassembled the capsule and motor, I gave it a test before putting it back on the clock movement. It runs; but, is fairly noisy. I went ahead and put everything back together and the clock keeps time; but, it's still a little noisy. I can hold the radio in a certain position and the noise goes away. I don't know if I didn't lubricate things good enough or if the clock is simply worn out. I think the movement was made by Westclock and I wonder if a replacement capsule is available.

I have a nicer '67 Zenith solid state AM/FM with a handwired chassis that uses basically the same clock. I decided to play around with this cheap radio as a learning experience before I tear into the other one.