The PHILCO Phorum

Looking at a 40-155 it plays but needs to be restored. Any input you might have on the 40-155 would be great.

Hi,
I have a 40-150 which is similiar to a 40-155 but has one less tube. I restored mine and it works great and has an excellent sound! A word of caution though, if this 40-155 is unrestored, be prepared to replace a lot of crumbling rubber coated wiring! Even if this set does work it really shouldn't be used until it is carefully inspected and restored. There is quite a bit of rubber insulated wiring under that chassis and if it is anything like mine was, it's rotted and falling off the wires!!!!
I replaced all the paper and electrolytic caps, most of the resistors and ALL of the rubber coated wiring. Nothing very difficult, however the pushbutton assy made getting to some areas of the set a headache!! If this is your first attempt at restoring an old radio it may be a difficult experience. that being said, if you really like the radio, go for it! I really enjoy my 40-150 now that it's done! Here is a picture of my 40-150,

Good luck!
Kevin

Still love those red translucent buttons! Spectacular!!!

Wow Kevin that is a great looking set. I figured I would end up seeing rubber covered wire. If I end up getting it I think it will be a good exercise before I start on my 38-116. You did a great job!!!!

Hello,

I just finished up a Philco Canada 17a, same as a 40-155 but built in Canada. It ia an outstanding performing radio. I have picked up Argentina and China on the shortwave with the internal antenna. The push button mechanism does need to be moved out of the way. However, you can take out a few screws and carefully fold it back without removing any wires. The buttons are normally shot but are being reproduced.
[attachment=2058]
keithw

Kevin

Spectacular job, love it.

After seeing the great work that Kevin and Keith did on their radios I picked up a 40-155 today. Will need a complete restoration. Roy

Congats on you your "new" set! My 40-150 looked about the same when I started on it, so yours should look terrific when done! The pushbuttons and rubber chassis parts are available through "Renovated Radios", there is a link to them on this site. Also, for the paint for the dial bezel, I used Rustoleum "Gold Rush" metallic. I found it was a close match to the original. Apart from the bad wires, the chassis is pretty straight forward. I will pass this on, although maybe the 40-155 won't have this, I had one octal tube socket in my set that was made out of some kind of fiber board like material. Be very careful with this!! I accidentally broke a contact out of it while trying to unsolder a wire. I was able to carefully epoxy it back into the socket and works fine, but it was a frustrating headache at the time!
Kevin

Those are really nice sets. They look and sound great when they're restored. I'd like to get one of those some day.

Tom

Thanks for the info Kevin. I sent an order for schematic pack to Chuck today. Probably won't get started on the set until August. Too many house projects in front of the Philco. I was glad to get this radio and have been scouring the forum on cabinet restoration. A lot of great information here.-Roy

I've got a question that I've never seen any discussion about: On the unrestored 40-155, pictured above, you can see a white/light colored speaker mounting screw head. The other two screw heads are dark. I've seen other Philcos in the same configuration. At first I thought the paint had rubbed off on the screw head, but I've seen several radios like this. I've got a 39-30 with the same thing, one light screw head at the bottom and two dark ones above it. Is there something to all this? Bob Andersen's restoration of his 39-30 had the same thing. It's not keeping me up nights, but I am curious.

Tom

I've noticed that too, Tom, although I do not know the reason why.