Bally E/M 1075: 1st reel indexes immediately, without spinning

[Simon Barsinister]

So after swearing off working on other people's E/M's, I took in a non-working 3 reel 1075 wide body for repair.  He said,  "Handle won't pull, reels don't spin, been sitting idle for a year", you know the routine.  With the reel assy out of the machine and the reels removed from the mech, I did the necessary cleaning, lubing and trip shaft adjustments and am finally able to get a kick and a spin by actuating the air cylinder armature.  Reels #2 & #3 kick and index properly.  Reel #1 kicks and then IMMEDIATELY indexes, without spinning.  Now I know if you induce a reel spin while holding the clock fan that all reels should spin freely and none should index until you release the fan.  But in the case of this reel bundle, reel #1 still indexes immediately after the kick whether I am holding the fan or not.  I am perplexed about that.  Anyone have any ideas why?

[The Fatman]

Take the mech out and lie it down on the Dashpot switch side,(Right Side) so not to bend the larger switch banks on the left side. Move the linkage by hand and you will probably see that the first reel linkage is built up with old grease and sluggish. Scrape off what extra you can and then use either PB blaster to soften the rest. You can as a last resort use Mineral Spirits on a brush. That will really disolve the old grease and pretty much strip all of the lubrication off of it, but you will really have to get new and better grease into that linkage. I use Lubriplate and it has not let me down. A left over from my game and JB operator days back in the early 80's, a great lubrication when used sparingly. What it sounds like is the linkage would reset properly so whenthe handle is pulled, it doesnt lock in and just goes into stop mode. Since you have it out, and on its side, do this to all the linkage under it and it will help you in the future. You will at least know that this wont be an issue in the future. Any other issues, this is a great site with many an educated people that are willing to help out, cause they love the industry and like helping. So if you got help and feel good about it, considering joining the many here that donate to keep this site going. Small price to pay for mostly, expert and professional help. 
Dave F

[Simon Barsinister]

Thanks Dave for the reply, and yes, great site, and already a contributor. 
All three trip arm/levers etc have been thoroughly cleaned and relubed.  All three have very fluid movement and no trouble kicking or indexing.  It is just that the first reel indexes IMMEDIATELY after the kick, it just pops right back to the index wheel.  And again, this happens whether or not I hold the fan blades on the clock mechanism from moving or not.  It is my understanding that all reels should remain in the 'cocked' position until I release the fan.  The 2nd and 3rd reels behave as expected, the 1st reel will index irregardless of holding the fan from spinning or not.  Hope that helps clarify, I can't see that being a lubrication issue because all parts are now moving fluidly. 

[Amechanic]

Check the latch paw that pivots on the small cross shaft. I have found them to frozen and gummed up, that you would think they where a press fit. You should be able to spin or rotate the small cross in your reel assembly. If you remove the rubber bumper located below the air cylinder. With that removed you can slide that shaft out and clean and re-lube the parts. Any thing that doesn't have a roll pin holding it fixed to the shaft needs to move freely.

Gary

[The Fatman]

I have also seen an adjustment on the right side at the bottom that allow the mech to travel a little further before it releases. That is done with the trip release block on the right side at the bottom. Be careful not to jump the gun on the adjustment for the main rod with the spring. That has to be done carefully noteing the previous position in case it is not the fix so you can return it to its original setting.
Dave

[OldReno]

You can remove the 3 reels, put the mech back in, and then watch what's going on in there.  Your first reel is probably not latching out like the other two are.  Could be worn, or the latch link is not latching in there like it should.  Sounds like maybe it needs more kick before tripping which you can often adjust with your L- stop bracket on the back right hand side of the reel mech.  Looks like an L.
Keep us posted...

[The Fatman]

Thanks OldReno for helping me with what that part is called. I at least got a good idea where to go.... just dont know the proper names of the thing-a-ma-jig
Dave F

[OldReno]

The parts and descriptions are all in your Free downloadable Bally EM manual.
Sometimes I'm too lazy to load it, so I use terms that are close.  My bad, sorry.
BUT, it is the best way for us to all be on the same page when we're talking about something.
If you can print it out, that's great, but my printer is touchy.