Phil,
I am catching this thread in the middle, but I think your asking if the
meter can be made to work properly. Apparently the meter has been
modified during somewhere in the process, either by the prior owner or
by your restoration efforts.
My SX-28 S-meter movement is full scale zero (power off resting
position), and screen current of the IF amplifiers drives the meter to
left end of scale (normal zero position). AVC action reduces the screen
current moving the needle upscale.
To make your meter work properly will require dismantling the meter to
be able to adjust the rear spring attachment (like the front spring
attachment that allows you to zero the pointer) so the meter zero is at
full scale, then reinstall the meter and reverse the connections. With
the meter sitting at full scale, the opposite current flow is required
to deflect the needle downward to left end of scale, and AVC action will
allow the meter to deflect toward the resting position (in this case
upscale).
Good luck,
Denis

Phil Nelson wrote:

If the replacement meter works properly,
and the modification was done neatly,
why not just leave it alone? If a good meter ever becomes
available, then change it out.
Not many folks would know, or care about the difference.

I guess the honest answer is . . . that it bugs me. The replacement is
functional. On the other hand, it not only works backward but zeros near the
midpoint rather than all the way to one edge. So it can't be as responsive
on weak signals as if it had the full range of travel.

My plan for this SX-28 is that it'll be my "keeper." It's a one-owner rig
that worked well as found, unabused and unmodified except for this meter.
I'm taking pains with all the work to make sure that it's as squeaky clean
as I can manage. (Everything is easier the second time around!) I even went
so far as to restuff paper caps for a while, until I got impatient and
noticed how hard it would be to cram some of those big paper cases back into
the crannies whence they came, without disturbing lots of other components.

I suppose I could always change meters with my first SX-28 and then keep an
eye out for a replacement or just dispose of that set as-is. The thought of
having two of these beasts open for surgery on the same workbench is a
little daunting, tho' :-)

Regards,

Phil Nelson