My challenge was to think of a way to replace the brass rivets. The rivet diameter is 3/16 of an inch, and I had no bolts that were 3/16 and long enough. Using thinner bolts that were of sufficient length was a bad experiment, as the motor coil itself had to be perfectly positioned to enable it's "clutch" to engage. I tried re using the rivets, with a bolt of thinner diameter, fed through the rivet. No good, as the head of the bolt protruded against the motor housing. I found an old motor lying around and something really interesting caught my attention - the cut end of the rivet was threaded and a small bolt was used - not bad - but when I triend it - it was too loose.
Off to bunnings.
Within 5 minutes I found the EXACT bolt that would do the job - and it was BRASS. Cost me $3.20 for four (in a pack). Theses are PERFECT - 3/16 AND countersunk, so that the top of the gearbox housing if flush with it's assembly. Absolutely stoked !
In the picture below, I've fitted two bolts already. I used a washer and did a test run. The alignment was "spot on"
Countersunk head - and the old rivets;
The bottom of the casing ;
Motor and Cam installed. I switched the game on and closed a switch to activate the score motor and it works flawlessly. I had already cleaned and filed all the contacts.
The Big Reward !I thought I'd be a "smart ass" and drop the baseboard into the machine to test the score motor and get an idea of what my next road block would be. I connected everything to the baseboard and head. Switched the game on and tapped the flipper button. Game switched on - cool ! There were credits up, so I dropped the ball into the ball drain and hit the start button. She sprung to life ! Score reels worked feverishly and finally made it to ZERO for all four players, Ball 1 Light came on and she served the ball ! I tapped the flippers - both worked.. I plunged the ball and she started scoring. In fact - the game was very much playable. There were a few minor issues, like stuck switches and sloppy score reels, but I couldn't care less - you could not wipe the smile off my face. It was like someone had thrown a bucket of cold water over me on a 45 Degree hot day - I was completely relieved and I felt like a kid again !
The more I played it, the less faults were persisting - It was fixing itself ! Try doing that with a DMD ! This game is FOURTY FIVE YEARS OLD - and is 90% in working order. The cobwebs were winding around the steppers in the backbox. This game has not been played for 10 - 20 years. I think I played it for a solid 30 minutes. It is slow and plods along. But it works ;
Here's a picture of the machine in "almost working" condition - playable !
Here's Zac having a couple of games. He is 6 years old and simply loves these games
A VERY rewarding moment for me - yes - took a weekend to rebuild a siezed score motor, but seeing my son playing this game made it all worth it.
This is what Pinball is all about.
