[Collins] Cosmos PTO for 390A newbie - Help requested

[Chris Kepus]

All,

This may be a bit long but I would really appreciate a response if you have
taken a Cosmos PTO apart.  I haven't taken one apart...yet.

I just picked up a Cosmos PTO for my R-390A. I liked the fact that Cosmos
came up with a design that didn't require messing with a corrector stack.
Others have pointed out that repairing and calibrating the Cosmos isn't for
the faint of heart, but it can be done. (I know, fools rush in..) 

Although the seller said it was dusty (it is), he didn't say the outer cover
of the PTO had numerous scratches suggesting a rather "rough" storage
environment.  The fragile elements on top of the output transformer were in
good shape with no observable damage... Anyway, in addition to scratches, it
was evident that someone had pulled the outer cover since only one of the
screws had the accompanying lock washer.  And the heater was possibly
removed because the screws that retain the heater (and insulation) were
missing.  If it is possible to remove the heater without unsoldering any of
the leads, it might have been removed. The heater wires did not look as they
had been unsoldered (could they have been cut at the top? ) My leads have
what appears to be shrink wrap over about an inch of them where they go
across the rear of the heater "can" assembly.  Photos at
http://www.flickr.com/photos/w7jpg/.

 Lastly, how should the PTO shaft feel when rotated by finger power?  I
expected low resistance and a smooth feeling rotation.  Mine is rather stiff
and when rotated, has an odd feeling, similar to rotating a shaft with
"soft" detents...not smooth at all.

  
So what do you think?  According to the writing on R390.com and elsewhere by
authors like John Harvie, Dallas Lankford, and Tom Marcotte, there doesn't
seem to be many conditions that cannot be repaired.  Is there anything I
mentioned that causes you experienced folks to be concerned (other than my
inexperience?)  Is there anything else that I should be looking for before
diving in? 

Thanks es 73,
Chris
W7JPG