Anyone know about 8-tracks?

[Google [bot]]

I've recently a really a nice '78 Lincoln Town Car, complete with original 8-track. There are a few cartridges (correct terminology?) in the boot. So far all I know is I can't get them to work, they go in and all seems ok, I just can't hear them. I also have a cassette to 8-track adaptor that I also can't get to work (damn shame). Someone told me about the 'pads' within the disk ( behind the 'tape') that if perished stop them working, but I don't know. I'm not a million miles from being old enough to have used them but I'm sure the good slightly older or flashier folk of PH can give me some handy pointers?

Edited by Google [bot] on Tuesday 30th August 10:30

[Nors]

You used to get a head cleaner tape for them. After all this time, could just be dirt.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/gds/How-to-Clean-an-8-Track-...

https://www.amazon.com/Track-Shack-Player-Cleaner-...

[Google [bot]]

Good lead, thank you.

[spyder dryver]

Inside an 8 track cartridge.

[marshalla]

Do you get any sound at all? Even a hiss or crackle?

[spookly]

I'm not old enough to have even been in a car with an 8 track

But:

1. I would first check that the thing has power (surely you've done that?)
2. Check it is actually connected to speakers that still work
3. Check if the mechanism is working to move the tape
4. Check if there is any output from the tape head/reader thingy
5. Check amplifier input/rail/output voltages inside.

If you can't do those yourself then find someone who understands electrickery.

[Slushbox]

8-track players had a 'capstan' - rotating spike inside the player.

Pushing a cart in activated the motor which turned a belt which turned the capstan. Roller inside the cart case presses against the capstan and moves the tape.

Tape-head in player on a vertical stepper and moves up for next track, triggered by a foil splice in the tape or the track change button.

So; guesses are belt drive to capstan failed or capstan covered in grime, or motor/switch defective, (if the tape is not moving) or amp problem if it is.

If you shove a cart in, and the player doesn't track change after fifteen minutes then maybe the tape isn't moving.

Very cool item when they first appeared over here. :-)

[GAjon]

You know if it's on 8 track it could be seventies prog rock, twenty minutes of hissing could be the actual music!

[V8 Fettler]

Kraftwerk's Autobahn album was available on 8 track, might even have been in quadrophonic sound. albeit slightly pointless in a Mk3 Cortina.