The PHILCO Phorum

I just aquired a model 90 radio that is not complete and has some chassis modifications. I suspect that the radio was at some time redone to use a pm speaker as the field coil was removed and apears that a resistor is in its place. It also is missing one of the two electrolytic cans. None of the block or bakelites have been recapped. Is there some way that this radio would work in this configuation? My experience level is not such that I understand enough to feel confident tackling this project with out some advice. By the way this is the model with a single 47 output. No speaker came with the radio so I could go either way as far as that goes. If any one has a good photo of the underside of this type of chassis it would be helpful to compare. This is a great resourse for people like me that are new to the hobby. The advice I have recieved here allowed me to restore a 38-4 over the winter. Its amazing how good these radios sound when they have been restored. Thanks, Gary

As it seems requests for an under-chassis view of a Model 90 is coming up fairly regularly, here is a picture I took a few months ago of an unmolested original 90 with single 47 output:



Click the thumbnail above to see a full size picture.

Thanks for the picture, it clarifies alot. It apears that some one has replaced e-caps before and possibly housed both in one can. Any advice on which way to go on the type of speaker. The original field coil came with the radio but I would assume that orignal speakers are hard to find.Would a good pm speaker be a reasonable way to go? Again thanks for your help. Gary

Original speakers can be obtained...but they will set you back several $$.

If you do not care about originality you can use a PM speaker, with output transformer mounted on the speaker as Philco did originally. A 3200 ohm, 25 watt resistor will serve to replace the original field coil. It will run hot! A heatsinked resistor, mounted on the chassis away from heat sensitive components, will be a good choice for this application.

Thats a GREAT Mod 90 under-chassis photo Ron!! A Very clean orig- chassis indeed! My 1st Philco 90 ( single 47) restoration was way back in about 1980, 81.Just getting my feet-wet in those days. I would have paid "big bucks $$" for your photo back then indeed! I was "flyin by th seat of my pants" trying to figure out (decipher orig Philco condenser part#codes) of those orig Philco bakelite blocks back then when I lived in Dallas! I found a "oltimer" tube tech in Denton (nearby Dallas) back then, that had worked for a Dallas Philco radio (auth dealer) repair-shop in the early 1940s helped me out back in those days, after searching for months to find a person that "knew"!!
Lordy mercy!!, the power of the internet thesedays,.. and yours & Chucks Fine vintage Philco resto websites paves a: "Information Super Highway" to newbies in this Philco vintage tube radio(s) ALL models hobby!!
Great Photo indeed Ron!! I think I saw a "speck-of-dust" on the orig filter-cap connection? ( hee hee!!), but other than that, your Philco 90 photo should allow a visual " roadmap" to success for anyone new to this hobby indeed!! I have acquired some nice under-chassis photos also thru the yrs ( post restorations) of vintage Fada TRFs,Radiola sets TRFs, mod Radiola 18 pwr pack, Radiola 80 power pack etc, orig buried in tar components ,and several other chassis photos if anyone ( newbies) needs them. I could share them ( clear photos) in the "other brands Radios" area of the Phorum if ever needed.
The power of the internet never ceases to amaze my old-eyes these days in restoring vintage electronics!! Thanks for providing all this valuable vintage Philco info online!!