[Crist Rigotti]

the higher the heater voltage the shorter your tube life. If the 6.3 v gives sufficient brightness to view in moderate light, it is fine. These sets were not to be viewed in a bright room in those days. I remember well, the pictures were a good bit dimmer than what we are used to today.

Mike,
Yeah, but the picture is viewable only in a very dim room.  I'm working on getting some substitute tubes and going back over my friend's house to retest the CRT in his good working chassis.  He'll also help trouble shoot the problem.  The audio is very good.  Just have to work out one bug at a time.  If I remember right, when we tested the CRT the shops lights were on and we had no problem seeing the picture.  We even thought that over time it might even get better after it "wakes up".  Thanks for the input.