Since my last post, I think I have learned something.
In the HP3456 the aforementioned accursed FET was used in switching and also as a "clamping diode". As I recall I replaced some of the switching diodes (not the ones used as diodes) with common FETs and that worked.
I then obtained a DAS 45 voltage reference and had it Calibrated. Using the calibrated values, I found out that the low volt (100 mV) scale on my 3456 units would not work correctly. My Blissful Ignorance was unceremoniously ended.....
I Believe-------( I am just a hobbyist, not an Engineer )-------
The problems I had with the 100 mV range were related to the use of the FET as a clamping diode with source and drain tied together. Eventually I procured some
Thompson 2N4117 FETS and installed some in the clamping positions....they worked, These are extremely low leakage FETS with advertised gate leakage of 120 femto amps,
I do not know of any diodes that are of such a low leakage value. Perhaps there are some but HP used the FET.
They test in my BSide as two diodes as do some of the original FETs. This is just an observation, I do not know it's significance.
I also had to replace the "pre charge" FET.
At Present I have been able to calibrate the two repaired 3456 units with my General Resistance DAS 45, so I conclude that they are working.
I have a third board that has the same trouble with low volt range that I have not fixed.
At Present, my working theory is that the choice of FET for "switching" is not as critical as the Clamping Function that they are also used for.
There is another extremely low leakage diode (not a FET) used in the protection of the resistance function that I had to replace on one board, Cycle Collector on For Sale forum has some. As I Recall, this diode caused high resistance values to be off. The test for this is easy and is elucidated in the manual.