[Ron Ramirez]

When I squeeze the 6A8 Dector/oscillator grid cap wire, the volume increases a good bit.

Sounds to me like you have an issue somewhere before the 6A8G control grid. How are the voltages on the 6K7G RF amp?

This sounds very much like the classic bad antenna or RF coil on AM. SW...??? Did you replace caps (8 ), (20) & (21)? Also check resistor (9); if it fails, you lose AVC to the RF tube and the radio will exhibit the same symptoms as open antenna coils.