[Hammarlund] SP-600 gear lubrication, nameplate and inrush limiter

[bluesdude]

Hello All,

Please excuse the long-winded post:

Over the past few weeks I have been restoring a fairly nice
SP-600-JX. I had a few electrical problems to clean up including
an open choke in the RF section and a damaged variable coil
in the BFO circuitry. I have replaced all of the black beauties that
weren't already replaced and will be replacing the big electroltic
as soon as the new one arrives. She is working A-OK electrically
now but some more work needs to be done,  so, I have a few questions for the
group:

I noticed whenever I aquired the radio that the "Megacycles" indicator
was off - the text displayed was between bands such that part of two
adjacent bands were displayed in the window. Also, the indicator for
the "band change" vernier was also off by a couple of bands. There seems
to be some binding in that mechanical sub-assembly (the cam...). I
can only assume that all of it requires lubrication, it seems extremly dry.
I have the jumbo technical manual (TM 11-851) and it does outline a
 lubrication procedure but it references a mil-spec grease. I'd like to get
some opinions on the best common lubricant for this application. Any
additional locations I should lubricate other than those outlined in the
technical manual? Also, an I possibly overlooking the cause of this problem?
I'd hate to put it all back together again and have the indicators
jump on me again....

I've looked through the archives on anything related to inrush current
limiting in the SP-600, I know it is fairly common to add a CL-80 limiter
to the AC input on R-390A's. Is anyone doing simular with SP-600s?
I know the CL-80 is used in the 390s to solve some particular problems
like the microswitch fusing but would it also possibly prolong tube life
in general? Only a couple of $$....

Finally, are there any sources for original nameplates? I've looked in
the usual places and have found nothing other than a fellow auctioning
reproductions for $27.50 on the site that shall not be named. (that seems
a little pricey to me for repros but I am no expert at all..)

Thanks!

73,

Paul W4QG