[winston763]

Morzh, great idea for the philco bakelite stuffing.  you should get a prize for that one - made the job SO simple.  I'm glad i found it.

I have re-traced my steps over and over.   outwardly it looks ok.  I think it has to do with alignment.  My oscillation is screaming. However, i can't get any alignment when i try to tune at 1400.  All i hear is hum. no wire connections are bad. the antenna is not detecting anything.  I am so mad - i had a perfectly good radio til i decided to take apart and clear that tuning capacitor.  i've checked over and over and the plates are not touching.  I tried following the procedure in the schematic but the 1400 tuning is only hum.   I had a great signal before so i believe the coils are fine.