[codefox1]

I too would be dubious about the need for these caps. And the lead dressing would have to be addressed too, since the surge upon start up is really serious and arcing may occur. I picked up some 2.2 kv radial caps a while ago, and have used them across output transrormers or plate to plate on amps that needed them to eliminate oscillations at post audible frequencies due to sloppy lead arrangement, but have never seen the same used in power supplies, except that sometimes small .001 capacitors are put in parallel with silicon diodes to keep noise down. Never did this myself, can't see a need. Just one more point of failure.

Could be that the "tropics" were used all around the world, where spikes are (probably) still common on the A.C. mains. Kind of like the caps on the secondary of old auto radio transformers with vibrators, and they had to be 1600 WV or else! I do make it a practice to clean up old NOS ceramic caps that may have been sitting around in a bin for years before installing them. I use a cotton swab or gauze moist with paint thinner to wipe them off, and for sure make wait they are bone dry before installing them.

But like others have said, you probably don't need them at all. Two tricks you could use is to put a silicon diode in series with the 80 for each plate, and add an appropriate fuse on the primary and/or center tap to ground of the B+ winding. Then at keastm you will not be back here looking for a power transformer.