Looking for Metro Detroit area restoration mentor

[Electronic M]

My advise is to start with tube radios and audio equip, then once you get the hang of it to start to work on TVs. The three best tools for a radio beginner are a good Tube tester, a DMM and or a VOM, and a copy of the schematic of the set your working on.
Bad electrolytic capacitors will cause hum and distortion and sometimes worse. Try to get replacements that are close to the rated value of the oiginals. If you are within 30% of the MFD (or sometimes written uF value) on new lytics, and have the same voltage rating or HIGHER on the replacements then you have the right replacements. Observe the polarity on the replacements as they can explode if connected backwards.

If the tubes are all good, and you have new lytics installed and it is still not good enough check for paper capacitors. They should have MFD values between .1 and .001. Get replacements with as close a MFD value as you can and that match or exceed the the rated voltage of the orignals. Paper caps don't care about the polarity of their connections like paper caps do so that removes a step of consideration from instalation.