Hallicrafters SX-42

[electroking]

The pot controls some bias on a tube acting as a DC amplifier, so removing the
meter may not fix the condition that applies excessive voltage to the pot.
I would unsolder the pot and measure the DC voltage available at that
point when powering up the receiver. I guess a capacitor somewhere in that
area is shorted, but the schematic would definitely need to be studied. Good luck.