[Johnson] Some more Valiant and SSB adapter questions

[Dave and Sharon Maples]

All: First, I hope all of you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
I am greatly enjoying the Valiant.  I have recently replaced the finals with
6293s; the Valiant neutralized right on target (and far better than with the
junkbox 6146Bs that were in it).

I have yet a few more questions:

1. I'm getting ready to replace the 18K resistor in the VFO case.  I see
numerous recommendations to put the resistor below the chassis, with SHORT
leads.  I have also seen suggestions to remove the VR tube from the VFO case
as well.  Any suggestions on the best way to do either of these,
particularly if the leads must remain short?  Any other components I should
either check or replace while I am in there?

2. The meter resistors in the Valiant are 0.202 ohm nichrome wire thingies
which appear to have changed value (not uncommon, I understand).  I can
purchase 0.200 ohm, 1% resistors off-the-shelf.  That will make the meter
between 0% and 2% off.  Does anyone see any reason NOT to just use the
off-the-shelf 1% resistors?

3. Thanks to several folks' efforts I now have all the necessary connectors
for the SSB adapter.  I have looked all through the manuals I have but don't
see any length measurement for the RG-62/U coax.  Anyone out there have the
appropriate cable that can tell me the correct length?

4. There is a modification suggested by some to remove the driver
transformer and redo the 12AU7 as a phase splitter.  Is this really worth
the effort?  What are the downsides?

Again, thanks very much for the help up to now.

Dave WB4FUR