[grandntl]

Thanks, Ron and Terry, for your help; I checked the DC voltage on the plate of the 44 RF tube, it's 272v on a strong signal and 260v between stations with motorboating when the probe is in place. I used the chassis and electrolytic capacitor negative as ground points in separate tests. I double checked to make sure I had the right tube pin and checked the plate voltage on the 36 detector/oscillator(272v) and 44 IF (250) . Looks like the RF and detector/oscillator plate voltages are high.
Terry, I checked the resistance between ant and gnd posts... 22 ohms. It looks like the coils are okay. What should happen when the tube shield is removed? I'm sure the radio should not play better after doing it, I would expect squeals etc.
Bob