03-26-2014, 04:28 PM
I have a very similar RCA. Mine is model 86T. Mine does not have a tuning eye and it has less tubes, but it is from the same time period as yours and the dial is almost identical. The chassis restoration is very straightforward and actually very easy to work on.. You shouldn't have any issues. Also, plenty of room to work and a nice layout under the chassis.
I also had to replace the glass on mine. I went to Lowe's and got a scrap piece of plexiglass, 1/8th inch I think. It cost $1.00. You score it with an exacto knife, then snap it. If your dial cover is like mine, (they are similar, but not the same) ...RCA somehow molded those dial escutcheons around the glass. The glass sits in a slot that runs around the inside of the dial cover and there is no way to replace it without cutting. I used a dremel to cut a slot on the top edge (behind the facing), then slid the plexiglass down inside. I had to oil it with WD-40, but it is a perfect fit and looks identical to original glass. And it will never break again. Much cheaper and easier than having a custom piece of glass cut. You cannot see the dremel cut when the cover is installed.
I also had to replace the glass on mine. I went to Lowe's and got a scrap piece of plexiglass, 1/8th inch I think. It cost $1.00. You score it with an exacto knife, then snap it. If your dial cover is like mine, (they are similar, but not the same) ...RCA somehow molded those dial escutcheons around the glass. The glass sits in a slot that runs around the inside of the dial cover and there is no way to replace it without cutting. I used a dremel to cut a slot on the top edge (behind the facing), then slid the plexiglass down inside. I had to oil it with WD-40, but it is a perfect fit and looks identical to original glass. And it will never break again. Much cheaper and easier than having a custom piece of glass cut. You cannot see the dremel cut when the cover is installed.
The artist formerly known as Puhpow! 8)
