Here is what I did just a couple hours ago while it's quiet on every band:
I realigned the radio by just the signal generator. Went through entire process.
Unhooked generator and moved all jumpers far away from the radios SO239 input (eliminate possibility of any stray signals from nearby coax).
Turned volume wide open.
Adjusted L6 for lowest noise level. Clockwise increased noise level all the way down, counter-clockwise showed a low dip before climbing again near the top (about 1.5 turns below top), so I set it for that lowest dip.
Turned volume down.
Hooked antenna back up.
Signal was 6 s-units on every channel, but I could barely hear my central heat/air unit anymore (which is a plus for me).
Instead of touching any receiver IFT adjustments, I adjusted VR1 and VR2 down to just a 1/4 of the way up on each.
I may stick with this for a few days, so far it seems to have at least eliminated a lot of my central heat/air units noise I used to get when it kicked in.
I'm still leaning on TR17 being weak or leaky. But for now I'll try this and get back with you all later on how well I like it like this.
I've been copying/pasting a lot of you all's conversations on this thread for future reference. A lot of very useful info I don't want to lose.
I still feel like I'm chasing ghosts, lol... I'll smoke some, that helps me focus more, lol....Wait, maybe smoking some is what's got me to chasing ghosts, lol...oh well I'll smoke some and think on that also, lol...
Thank you guys/gals...