i am in the process of putting my 68'coronet standard dash back together, i bought a original thumbwheel radio from a guy, he sd did not know if worked or not, so i plug it up , it wld not light up or turn on, so i kept it pluged in and continue to finish hooking all the dash parts up, i cranked the car, i was testing all the lights gauges, etc. everything was working, the radio wld not turn on or light up, i got out of the car, leaving it running, about 3mins into this, i heard a wierd pop sound and blackish smoke coming from the dash, i turned the car off, i got a light and looked under the dash, all i saw was smoke coming from the radio, i put my hand on the radio and it was hot to the touch, the smoke settled and i unhooked the radio and i changed the fuse out, cranked the car back up, everything was fine, apparently the radio blew up, has anybody ever had this happen? was it the radio or is it something in my wiring? since i unhooked the radio no problems, everything is working, i have tested everything, this is crazy i have never held of a radio blowing up?

It can happen. That's why it's best to always have your radio inspected / serviced by a profesional before installing in the car .

Greg

Wards Classic Car Radio Repair Specializing in restoration and sales of Mopar A B E body radios
We can restore YOUR radio usually in less than 14 days
Visit our NEW website..
http://www.wardsclassiccarradiorepair.com
gregward@mchsi.com
phone 256-852-0955

hey Greg,
so i wld think that my radio is now toast right? wld it be better for me to find another radio and have you rebuild it, or can you rebuild my blown up fire radio?
thanks

You can send it in , I have about 50-60 B body thumbwheel radios for parts, so even if I have to
swap cores with you , it's not a problem .
We charge $ 100 for a full service/restoration on AM radios.

Greg

Wards Classic Car Radio Repair Specializing in restoration and sales of Mopar A B E body radios
We can restore YOUR radio usually in less than 14 days
Visit our NEW website..
http://www.wardsclassiccarradiorepair.com
gregward@mchsi.com
phone 256-852-0955

that sounds like a winner to me Greg, what is the best way to ship to you? i guess it will not matter with my fried radio huh? can you give me your address?
it might be a couple of mths before i send it, i am trying to get the interior done and the money is tight right now, however with that price cannot beat that.
so do you think that it was just the radio and nothing to do with my wiring in my car? the wiring harness is all original and i hooked it up with the factory plug,the factory plug still in original connector,
thanks

Probably just something in the radio, unless the red wire/plug going into the radio shows signs of overheating/melting , I would guess the problem lies inside the radio. My address and contact info can be found on my website, just click the link.

Greg

Wards Classic Car Radio Repair Specializing in restoration and sales of Mopar A B E body radios
We can restore YOUR radio usually in less than 14 days
Visit our NEW website..
http://www.wardsclassiccarradiorepair.com
gregward@mchsi.com
phone 256-852-0955