Latch link help, reel stop sequence

[Seaweed]

1097-4 reels stop, 2, then 3, then 1. That cant be right. Should stop 1,2,3 right? I have been adjusting the latch links into different holes, on the bottom of the reel unit.  Manual seems to indicate reel 1 in the second hole from the end, reel 2 in the 3rd, and reel 3 in the 4th hole. The stop sequence is all over the map....but not 1-2-3. Please advise.

[DavidLee]

Possible first reel mechanism under the reels is gummed up and not releasing properly.
Best to remove reels, push the wiper arms back and monitor the return speed for each one.
You can kick the reels by pushing the J bar into the air cylinder, upper right side of the reel mechanism.
Do this to observe the reel stop arms in motion. Caution, sometimes stop arms move past there guide slots and need to be realigned for them to work properly.
Lubricate the mechanism with light oil and or cleaning penetrating oil then manually work it back and forth.
This will loosen the mechanism.

[Seaweed]

Thats it Dave, found it before I saw your reply. First reel stop lever gummed up with old grease, moving real slow to stop pos. From the underside
I pulled the c-clip and slid the arm to the side. cleaned/degreased and oiled the shaft and arm and reassembled. Works great now.
30 plus years of working EM pinballs and I find this slot the same.....but different.
Now I just need to get the bell to ring on a jackpot......
Bob, in Vermont

[off-track]

EM's are the same regardless if it's a pin, slot or shuffle alley.  Lack of use and old gummed lubricants ... just like us.   
Careful what you wish for.  I had to find a piece of foam just to quiet the bell.

[DavidLee]

Bob,
Glad you got it going, I happened to be doing the same cleaning to the 956 machine today.
It still has an intermittent problem with the first reel. It stops to soon or lags to a stop. Like there is a burr or some sort of interference on the mechanism. Might try moving the lower link to the next hole
just to see if there is any difference.
Re: pinball machines, have a couple I’ve brought back to life. A Bally Odd Even which is a challenge to play, but not to much action. Also a CC Cinema machine that had a lot of issues when I got. The bottom cam was so worn it caused the switches to stay on to long.  Had to make a new bottom cam disc to get the timing back. Still has a few glitches like sticking on a player and not advancing for 1 or 2 balls now and then.

[Bally Bill]

I had the same issue on the Money Honey kit machine, #2 reel would slowly kick off or just have a dead spin on various plays. What did you use to clean the old grease? David need to see some pics of Pinball restoration.. 

[Seaweed]

Hey Bally Bill, I simply soaked a rag with whatever solvent/degreaser I had on the bench and wiped down the shaft. Then lubed with a light machine oil... works perfect.
Bob, in Vermont..

[Bally Bill]

ok I use Blaster PB to remove the gunk and follow up with some light drops of gun oil ONLY in certain areas. Avoid applying excessive grease/oil  because it attracts the coin dust to the contacts and coils.