[Radioroslyn]

>I did replace the oscillation winding on the Osc/detector coil.  is this a symptom of winding it backwards/wrong direction?  I think i tried both directions with the same result (did this a few months ago). 

Now I'm assuming that you mean feedback winding or tickler (that would be the small winding at the bottom of the coil). If that is backward the oscillator won't work. Simple test, try listening for the osc in another set. You can use a small transistor job. hold it near the #24 tube nearest the ant post. Since the IF frequency is 175kc your osc is going to be running at 175kc above the dial reading of your 52. For instants if the dial on the 52 is set to 600kc the osc signal should be heard @ 775kc (600+175=775) or at 1500kc the osc should be heard @ 1675kc.
The osc signal will quite the transistor set when it's on the proper frequency. It's not uncommon for the osc to be a bit off frequency so tune around a bit if you don't hear it right where it's suppose to be.
OR
You can use your generator as the LO by connecting the unmodulated output to the cathode of the 24 tube, tune it to the frequency of a known station + 175kc. Set the radio dial for the station's frequency. With an antenna connected to the set you should be able to tune in that station. Basically you are using the radio's tuning to tune the RF side of things and the generator to tune (or act as) the osc tuning but both have to match, radio dial to the incoming frequency and the generator at 175kc above the incoming frequency.