[klondike98]

This thread will cover the work on a Zenith Transoceanic 8G005YT that belongs to one of my colleagues from my previous employer.  His grandfather gave it to him and he’s looking to have it restored and eventually go to his son.  The unit is one of the earlier versions (s/n B203190)  which uses the 117Z6 rectifier rather than the later miniature 117Z3.  The cabinet, covered in black stag, was in very good shape, dirty but there was no missing stag and only a few places where you could see abrasion or thin spots.  

[Image: https://www.dropbox.com/s/7p5oaxu7i8eets....jpg?raw=1]

Opening up the cabinet showed a nice bezel and dial cover (slightly yellowed with some crud on it), a good integrated operating instruction set and good black plastic with nice white lettering on all the buttons and frame on the front.  

[Image: https://www.dropbox.com/s/sckay73iz0ewjb....jpg?raw=1]

The back side looked good as well.  The only rust I found was on the metal clips that hold the back shut.  A couple hours in the bath of Metal Rescue Rust Remover and some black Rustoleum spray paint and they were good to go back in.  

[Image: https://www.dropbox.com/s/9sx44hi090lfcv....jpg?raw=1]
[Image: https://www.dropbox.com/s/yalthp36yax3xx....jpg?raw=1]

Notice the set still had the 1.5v battery in it and fortunately it had not leaked!

[Image: https://www.dropbox.com/s/9sx44hi090lfcv....jpg?raw=1]

There are a number of web resources for working on TOs.  For this set I’m looking mostly at Phil Nelson’s restoration at  http://antiqueradio.org/zen16.htm
Some of the others:
http://www.ohio.edu/people/postr/bapix/zto_8g005.htm
https://www.staff.science.uu.nl/~tel0010...nTO800.htm
https://www.radioera.com/8g005.htm
https://www.radioera.com/t-o_museum.htm
http://www.drzeesradiorepair.biz/zenith-...nic-8g005/
http://www.n9dd.com/zenithto.html
http://www.zenithtrans-oceanic.portablet...estore.htm

Getting the chassis out is covered clearly in Phil’s restoration notes.  All went smoothly until I tried to get the antenna connection to the variable tuner off.  It is supposed to be a slide-in pin and should come out easily.  It did not and on closer inspection I could see a big glob of solder at the base of the pin holder.  Clearly someone had broken it off at some point and soldered it all back on. Unfortunately they also soldered the pin into the pin holder.  I realized that after one last tug and it came apart.  It will be interesting to figure out how to put that back together.

[Image: https://www.dropbox.com/s/t8ei338dlmxgh6....jpg?raw=1]  
[Image: https://www.dropbox.com/s/jazlntu23uqziw....jpg?raw=1]  

After getting that last antenna connection “disconnected”, the chassis screws were removed and it slid out.  I haven’t even looked underneath yet… just moved on to cleaning up the cabinet with a wet wash cloth and a drop of dawn in warm water.  You can’t scrub too hard or the old stag will flake off.  Q-tips, cotton balls and elbow grease got the dirt off.  I used some black shoe dye to touch up the few spots that were worn thin or frayed and then put some Armor All on the stag.  That looks nice for an hour or so but fades.  Many folks use black shoe polish although others are strongly against it.  I did a very light coating of shoe polish and buffed it off.  The cabinet now looks better but certainly not brand new.  With this look I’ve decided not to polish up the brass hasp that locks down the front of the cabinet.  It would look out of place with the way the stag looks.  The plastic dial cover got a dose of Novus 2 and the Novus protective spray.  That took off the crud so the dial is clear.  

[Image: https://www.dropbox.com/s/ullttzibgjgtjn....jpg?raw=1]  
[Image: https://www.dropbox.com/s/3tdfe9n9cpcoy8....jpg?raw=1]  

More later….