purely mechanical slot payouts incorrect

[oneslot]

I posted in the other reel games forum section with my issue of an Aristocrat 1975 vintage slot machine that is paying out too often on non winning combinations. One person tried to help but did not understand that I have a purely mechanical machine with no electronics other than lights and a 2nd coin lockout coil which is currently missing. It was suggested to me to ask the Bally E/M area for help. Here is a link to my post if anyone cares to chime in.
http://newlifegames.com/nlg/index.php?topic=4849.0

Thanks in advance Ed

[OldReno]

Hi Ed.
Interesting problem.  It sounds very much like one or more of the reels has been swapped, and put in the wrong place.
If you make a chart of the reel symbols, and then of the payouts listed on the glass, that might be of some help.
In other words, how many cherries, oranges, plums, etc. are on each reel.
And then, again, what the payouts should be.
For example, if a single cherry pays 2, and you find that reel #1 has 5 cherries, and reel #2 has one cherry, you can assume perhaps that reels 1 and 2 were swapped.
Again, a list of the symbols on each reel will be very helpful.
I am sure we here can calculate some odds and % for you given all that info....
Nice machine by the way, a 4 reeler, wow.

[oneslot]

Thanks for that tip.
I am thinking that maybe after 40 years of just adding oil and grease to the parts without cleaning first, things could be gummed up with dirt and possibly be causing the issue. I guess I should just dive into it do a thorough cleaning, chart the reels symbols while I am at it to see if something looks odd there, reassemble the same way if nothing stands out on the reels and hope I  get it back together correctly (I have no problem with mechanicals as long as I know what I am working with). I have no idea how the payout discs and reels are synchronized on a slot machine.(simply taking it apart may tell me exactly how though)
Ed

[mark the spark]

might try pennymachines.co.uk there will be someone there who can help you

[rokgpsman]

Thanks for that tip.
I am thinking that maybe after 40 years of just adding oil and grease to the parts without cleaning first, things could be gummed up with dirt and possibly be causing the issue. I guess I should just dive into it do a thorough cleaning, chart the reels symbols while I am at it to see if something looks odd there, reassemble the same way if nothing stands out on the reels and hope I  get it back together correctly (I have no problem with mechanicals as long as I know what I am working with). I have no idea how the payout discs and reels are synchronized on a slot machine.(simply taking it apart may tell me exactly how though)
Ed

With a digital camera it is fairly easy to document things as you take them apart. That way you can look at pictures if needed to see how something was originally assembled. I take lots of pictures when doing something like this, good cheap insurance that may not be needed but can be a big help if it is.

[oneslot]

That takes all the fun out of it. I do take pictures at times but rarely use them for reassembly. What can I say.... I like puzzles and challenges.
Ed

[OldReno]

Ed, you are braver than I am.
Have taken apart a lot of EM's but never a strictly mechanical machine.  I would need much more faith in my rebuilt abilities before I would try it without a camera...
Good man.