Electronic – Should I replace these resistors on the vintage radio

radioresistorsvintage

The one in the image isn't the 250k one exactly, but it's one I had a picture of. The 250k just has a different colour but is the same kind of resistor.

EDIT, the big red one is a capacitor, the resistors are above and to the right of it

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I have a sheet telling me to use 250k resistors however they are measuring out to be 338k instead. I've done this with a couple other resistors and found them to all be slightly over what the data sheet calls for.

Is there a reason for this? Should I replace them or are they fine as they are? Also why are they so big? First time working with vintage components. Looking for any knowledge you guys have on this!

Best Answer

Carbon resistors like what's in your vintage radio are not stable over long time periods. In my experience, the resistance moves upwards. I have noticed this even on early Delco Studebaker solid state car radios that persisted with carbon resistors. Your radio probably has pre-WW2 resistors because WW2 made designers adhere to the preferred range which 250K is not. Due to the age of your radio, I think you should replace all the old resistors. Remember that many small modern resistors do not have the voltage rating. It is good to get the chassis to spec so the valves will all be at their correct bias points.