[morzh]

The chassis WAS molested a bit. The tubular electrolytics are not original.

1. No. Do not strip the chassis.
2. Do NOT test the set.
3. Do not replace the cloth covered wire unless frayed or in abd shape overall.



My recommendations (actuially, my routine, which works just fine):

- Remove all tubes, use a variac and test the transformer outputs (Hi-V and filament(s)).
- If it is all good, then do full recap. This includes your tone control.
- Then check your resistors and change as necessary,.
- Test all tubes.
- Test all audio transformers (interstage, if applicable and the output). If good then:
- After that put all tubes back, plug the speaker, put the meter on the Hi-V, using variac slowly make sure it rises to a reasonable value, bring it to 110VAC and....in my case I enjoy listening to a local station in about 80% of the cases.
- Do check thte RF coils for opens. Especially if the radio refuses to play.
- Align.


PS. Windex works fine for cleaning chassis without rust. As well as the tubes.
PPS. When cleaning tubes, be gentle, as anythig you use could take the marking off; note what tube it is before cleaning, and if the marking is rubbed off, mark the tube with a label or perm marker before you forgot what it was.
PPPS. Do use an isolation transformer at least when bringing it up and, actually, all the way through the repairs until fully assembled.