Have a look at the tuning control. It's not likely to be a TRF, rather a hetrodyne and the tuning control varies the oscillator.
The radio looks like a junker, so destroying it in the name of education validates any failure
If you can locate this oscillator screwing around with the tuning coil or the capacitance you will get a result. Probably not the one you expected, but still useful information.
Even if you get this tuner in band, it isn't likely to be a high performance receiver. As mentioned, a lot of traffic is SSB, so some more modifications will be required.
For the effort, if say I was given this radio and a task as part of some sort of competition. I wouldn't try to modify it, but rather strip it down for the parts and purpose rebuild a new cannibalised circuit.
Everybody has their own ideas of fun. If you're not worried about destroying it ... trail and error is good education.