[Ron Ramirez]

I may just yank the octal socket, install a loctal and run a 7J7. At least I'll have a set that matches a schematic.

Why would you do that? There is no need for such an extreme measure unless the tube socket is bad, in which case it would make sense to switch to a loctal socket and a 7J7 if you wished to do so. Otherwise, you would just be making extra work for yourself that is unnecessary.

Here's how I suggest you solve your dilemma: Go to the NJ7P Tube Database and look up the 7J7 and 6J8 tubes. Makes notes of what elements connect to which pins in each tube. Then, once you get your schematic package from Chuck, just make notes on the schematic indicating the pin numbers of the 6J8 on each appropriate tube element.

http://www.nj7p.org/Tube4.php?tube=7J7
http://www.nj7p.org/Tube4.php?tube=6J8G