With these old Heathkit GR-81 radios its just a matter of time before the filter caps and the "black beauty" capacitor give out.  Having restored several of these radios it should be noted that recapping the GR-81 (replacing the normally suspect capacitors) makes a significant difference in performance even if the radio receives signals with the original 1960's vintage electrolytic and black beauty caps.  Recapping has solved a variety of problems in GR-81's I've owned.  I heartily recommend replacing the electrolytic and black beauty capacitors (4 capacitors in all).

Until 2008, I simply worked off the schematic and rewired the GR-81 in what seemed to me to be the most efficient way.  See the photo below:

I have since gone to a more pleasing approach which locates all the new electrolytic capacitors directly under the old "can", keeping all the hook-up wires very close to their original locations at the base of the "can".   To do this, I use a three pronged terminal strip under the left bolt of the can.  Each terminal strip lug, then, corresponds to one of the three lugs on the old electrolytic can.  That way, all the wires originally connected to a particular lug of the original can, connect now to a corresponding lug of the terminal strip.  When finished, this tidy arrangement looks like this: 

Notice the three electrolytic capacitors in line, under the old can.  The grounded side of the capacitors solder to whichever twisted ground lug of the electrolytic can is most convienient.  You can also see the new yellow capacitor under the on-off-volume pot, replacing the black beauty.  Here are few more photos:

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Bill Patton, WY3A
West Chester, PA