Pye PCR2

[Skywave]

Yes, resistors, especially the big ones, are next on the list.

Presumably, by the term 'big ones' you mean the ones that are 'big' in terms of Ohmic value, not 'big' as in physical size or wattage. It's high-Ohmic value resistors that are more prone to drifting high in value than lower value ones.

I've looked at the alignment instructions and can't make head or tail of it as it doesn't say what to twiddle in what order.

With a straight single-conversion superhet as you have there, the procedure is always first to check the alignment of the I.F. strip - for which a frequency-calibrated signal generator is needed as an absolute minimum item of test kit. Then proceed to the get the local oscillator running at the correct frequencies and getting the padding & tracking correct. Again, the appropriate test kit is essential to do this. The alignment of any L/C ccts. that are from the mixer grid to the aerial socket can come last of all.
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A couple of the cores look like they have been fiddled with before but adjusting these made no difference. I fully unscrewed one and found that the cap has come adrift from the actual core.

In that case, I would suggest that you remove each I.F. can from the chassis and examine its internals. Trying to check the I.F. alignment if there are faults in the I.F. transformers will obviously be a waste of time.

The cursor is bang on on MW, by the way.

So presumably then you've checked the calibration and a few places on the dial. Did you use a sig. gen.?

Just trying to make constructive suggestions. Provided that you keep strictly to a logical method of working, keeping in mind the 'block diagram' of the set, which valve does what, and have some idea of what voltages look 'about correct' in certain places, you should make good progress. And when I say voltages 'look correct', what I have in mind are voltages that are obviously incorrect - such as 20v on an anode, 100v on a cathode and substantial positive voltage on a control grid.

Al.