07-01-2011, 09:22 PM
You can also remove the tar old with a Wagner type electric heat gun and holding the caps can metal enclosure with a big pair of pliers wearing cotton gloves. Hold it upside down and move heat around metal enclosure. It may take a few minutes, but the tar will let go and you can pull the old caps out with other pliers. I usually do this procedure over a old cardboard box to catch the hot dripping tar. I have rebuilt several old late 20s era RCA Radiolas and Atwater Kents orig cap banks using this method. No need to mess up a kitchen oven ( smells) or use torch flames at all. The heat gun will melt the old tar with patience. Do this process in a well ventilated area if you must, and don't consume any fumes. Personally, I draw out a new schematic replicating the orig and use new terminal strips to mount all the same caps under chassis in place of the orig cans when possible. Takes up less space also, but then again, some folks prefer restuffing old cap cans for originality reasons or space constraints in some chassis'. Most TRF type radio chassis have mucho spare room underneath. Just my .02