[MrFixr55]

Hi Morzh,

I hear you re the metal thickness. On the 16, 17, 18 they put the detector and amp interstage transformers in a metal box that was at least 12 gauge, potted them in some sort of waxy material and installed it in the chassis by bending over tabs. I would think that the box and chassis was at least 14 gauge steel. Dunno if they figured that it would keep from rattling where a lighter gauge would not. Come to think of it, the later speakers like in my GE S-22(RCA R-7A) had a rather flimsy speaker frame, not really like the basket used in the earlier speakers.

In the mid 30s, RCA (and Non-RCA GE) sets, and even Zenith mounted power transformers in some sets by bending over tabs. Designs were constantly changed and improved to speed the manufacturing process. From multi-cap cans, molded plastic cabinets, printed circuits, multifunction tubes like the 55/75/6Q7, 19, 6N7, etc., Transistors, ICs, surface mounted devices, etc. Electronics is one field where manufacturing processes constantly improved efficiency and the benefits were passed down to the Customer.

Nowadays, screws are disappearing from cars, replaced by pop rivets, studs and press on clips, push pins, spot welds, etc. Whatever it takes to streamline the manufacturing process. In some (rare) cases, they actually added parts to do so.

I had to remove the entire dash from my 03 Taurus to replace the AC Evaporator (the entire heater plenum had to be removed). The job was made much easier than on previous cars by the construction of the dash, locating pins, and 2 very large harness connectors.