Resistor reliability question

[Old1625]

If you are looking at what I think you are IIRC the resistor in question has a length of resistance wire coiled around a ceramic cylinder, with leadoffs coiled a few turns at each end, creating a spool-shaped device. Then the whole mess is glazed over in colors representing RMA code of its value.

If it measures to spec, and it is not showing visible signs of overheat then it should be good to remain.

As for the set being silent it has always been with me the game of starting at the first audio stage near the volume control and then working through the second detector and up the line. If I didn't have a signal generator on hand to produce the intermediate frequency I would take a working radio, tune it to a strong station, and tap off the final IF transformer and inject that signal into the various points along the IF chain while peaking the transformers. This would also unearth any defects along the way. Always worked for me....