Hello from S.E. Idaho!

[idahogem]

My name is Norm, just purchased my first Jukebox just before Christmas.  Always wanted one finally got one.  Very hard to find in my area as we are mostly rural. 

Purchased a Wurlitzer 1974 3800 model.  So far found some selection problems.  Did an inspection with a flashlight and found that 1 side readout actuator was jammed up against the 1 side readout switch.  Corrected that, will now play side one.  Playing a little slow on speed, drive belts are stretched and are doing the wave!



So, ordered these items from Victory Glass.

Service Manual
(2) turntable motor drive belts

Not going to do anything else until the service manual arrives and I can clean and lube.

In the future I hope to modify the cover panels so the Mech can be viewed from the outside.  Want to proceed carefully with this so as not to produce a "hack job"  modification but to complement the machine.

[e093116]

Hi Norm,

My story is similar to yours (I always wanted a jukebox), and a 1973 3700 model Wurlitzer was my first machine, which is very similar to your machine.

As part of drive belt replacement, check the rubber motor isolators under the turntable.  If the drive belts are stretched out, it might be caused by sagging mounts.  They are difficult to see, and you need to pull out the mechanism and look underneath the turntable area to inspect.

Mine were totally wasted, and I ordered replacements from Victory Glass.  I was surprised how soft the rubber was on both the originals and the replacements, and the way the mounts are installed (in shear) and the static load placed on them makes me think these are a 5 year or so replacement/maintenance item.

Your juke appears to be in good cosmetic condition.  I seem to recall seeing someone having a video of a 3700 on youtube where they replaced the panels below the songboard with "glass" and you could see the mechanism.  I didn't bother to look for this video at the moment, but might be helpful for you if it's still out there.

Good luck with your project.

Bill

[idahogem]

Bill,

Thanks for the advise and information. I will check those motor isolators. Yes it seems to be quite clean inside and out with just a couple of scuffs on the outside cabinet. Inside just a light dust and very little old grease. I always wonder where these boxes have been and the stories they could tell!