[adamrobertg]

I decided to just jump in and go for it.  I replaced all caps in the bakelite blocks, metal cans, and tone control.  Found 2 open resistors (and a few others that read high that I'll eventually change).  This was the power supply/audio section before:

   

And now:

   

Wired new 10mf 500v electrolytics as per the schematic, added a fuse and a thermistor.  Got most of the tar cleaned up with a heat gun, paper towels, and mineral spirits.  It's a lot better on top, though underneath still has a fair bit of tar.

   

   

   

Sleeved some bare wire on the spacer near the plug.  Tested the tubes - the 80 and 47 were marginal (and of course I don't have any extras, will have to order some).  Powered it up and... no stations.  Power supply and audio section is working, and there's no hum - so that's something.  

Having dealt with open Philco coils in other sets, I thought I'd check some of the coils... and it looks like the primary of the 1st detector coil is open.  I'm not the best at rewinding coils, but I had success with a Zenith field coil and a Philco 19 oscillator coil primary.  On that set, I read that baking the coil in the oven after winding it was critical.  I did that with good results.  Worth doing for the 90 too?