Rockola 437 coming out of storage after 45 years

[LJ]

Greetings from Texas...Im new to this site being just registered.  I just pulled out of storage after about 45 years a Rockola 437 that belonged to my dad who had it in one of his restaurant's in yester year.  Being a little mechanical I started tinkering with it to see if it still worked and of course as soon as I plugged it in and not knowing anything about this machine it lit up and the carriage and turn table turned for about a half of second before it started blowing fuses.  Upon looking closer inside I then noticed the harden grease on the gears and all the dust and dirt on the inside, not to mention what looked like someone had poured coke down the coin slot probably mad because it took their coins with no song. So it begin, when in doubt go to utube, rt..which I did and tried to learn and trouble shoot this model and close by models for trying to self teach myself before I have to load it up and take it to someone who knows what they are doing.  I have taken the gear arm assembly apart and have clean and lubed the assembly.  My dad had the service and parts manual tucked away in the bottom of the machine in a large envelope.  I have replaced an electric motor at the top along with the pully and belt that turns a city skyline. I went online and found the old exact fuses that blew and replaced them.   I have blown the inside out and cleaned inside to the point it looks pretty good.   I have done the best I could on the coin mechanism which im sure had coke poured down the slot.  I think I have the cam lined up right and have cleaned the micro switch contacts. I have also cleaned with emory cloth the contacts relays in the metal control box.  Here is my problem currently.  The turn table will spin in both the operate and scan position, but the record carriage will not turn. I have taken both motors off and inspected them and feel they are still good because every once in a while the carriage will turn when I flip the service scan switch, but it only turns for a couple of seconds and then will stop. This has happened like this only a couple of times . A
ny ideals on what direction to maybe concentrate on ?  Thx for any help.  LJ

[Ron Rich]

Hi LJ,
Well, for starters, be sure ALL fuses are both the correct size and type ! Next, I would never have plugged it in, prior to at least changing all electrolytic caps ! Then check power supply operation--does it meet specs. ? Have you removed, and cleaned oiled the gripper motor, and basket motor ? ( see our FAQs on oil !!) Do not even think about dis-assembling the AC write in motor--but do oil the main shaft bearings. Also oil the cam and the toggle, that "follows" that cam ! ---and the basket bearings. As for "emory cloth", please read our FAQs on contact cleaning. Your slug rejector may be cleaned with a soak in hot soapy ( dishwasher preferred) water, then a hot rinse, and total drying.( Please also go to our User Introductions and comply with our "rules")Ron Rich

[LJ]

Thx for that information Ron.   I have cleaned and lubricated the basket and gripper motor with recommended lubricants.  When the basket does decides to spin, which it has happened a couple of times after hitting the Scan/Operate switch it seems to turn strong with no drag which makes me think maybe it might be the Scan/Operate switch itself maybe not making the right contact touching, but I could sure be wrong.  Also, all the fuses that blew in the beginning were replaced to spec.  I want to think it is some little something that Im missing and feel Im fairly close in finding it, but again my mechanical knowledge is very limited on a juke box and electronics.  I had to really look at the gripper gear diagram hard along with utube repairs just to see how that thing went back together after I removed it and cleaned it. Wow, Im impressed whoever designed these types of mechanisms.  I will run down your list and see if I can take a look at any of these possibles.   I kind of have developed a fondness of tinkering with this thing, but ultimately will probably have to take it to somebody who knows how to work on them which I think there is a place in Waco.   Again thxs a bunch!!! LJ in Jewett, Tx