Idler Tire for GE 3-5259A

[Transistorized]

I have one of these Blockbuster Idler Tires coming. Anyone tried these? Do they fit and work well? I am assuming to replace the idler I pop the center plastic hub off the idler wheel and then the assembly slides off the shaft.

I also ordered all the belts. The sizes I ordered from MarVac are:
SCA 8.6
SCX 5.1
SCY 4.6
I read in a previous post that those above were the correct sizes. I hope so as I already purchased them.

Of course I have the head assembly and idler gear coming also. Hoping for a successful restoration and that I ordered all the right sizes of everything. I should have everything in around the next week or two. I look forward to going in and replacing everything

 

[goodman]

Transistorized, please check your PM ​

 

[caution]

Those are the correct belt sizes

 

[Transistorized]

Those are the correct belt sizes

Thanks @caution

 

[BoxBeats]

I have 3 Blockbusters that have been through the process. Belts, head assembly, idler gear all should be good, especially if you got parts from Caution. If I remember, that idler tire was just a bit off, you might need to sand it to bring it down if necessary. I had one but I went with another one I sourced but I can’t remember. Good luck with the build and God speed!

 

[Transistorized]

I have 3 Blockbusters that have been through the process. Belts, head assembly, idler gear all should be good, especially if you got parts from Caution. If I remember, that idler tire was just a bit off, you might need to sand it to bring it down if necessary. I had one but I went with another one I sourced but I can’t remember. Good luck with the build and God speed!

Thank you for that. I may see if the stock idler works once the head assembly is installed. That may be what was causing the OEM idler to not provide enough torque. Might just correct that issue once full engagement happens on playback. I just got the 3D parts in today. They look fantastic! I can't wait to start on this thing. Waiting on belts from MarVac at the moment. Should be here next week.

 

[Transistorized]

Success.

So the idler tire ended up needing modified however, the stock one was good enough to be used. Once I got the new head assembly in there, I put in the new belts that arrived today and cleaned the idler tire rubber. Fortunately, I didn't need the little idler gear....yet. But I do have it when its needed.

I want to personally thank @Superduper and @caution . This thing wouldn't be playing if not for them.

Short video clip: Repaired GE 3-5259A

I will upload a few photos also.

Broken Head Assembly

New 3D Head Assembly installed

Heads installed

Deck fully together

A shot of play head assembly after radio is back together.

The VUs work, the tape deck works, the radio works. I am very happy!

 

[caution]

So glad to see another Blocky at 100% once again!
I had to look up that Top 40 episode, it aired 1/30/88 when Hungry eyes jumped from #11 to #8

 

[Transistorized]

So glad to see another Blocky at 100% once again!
I had to look up that Top 40 episode, it aired 1/30/88 when Hungry eyes jumped from #11 to #8

It's nice to hear a voice from the 80's. This radio likely has had his voice played through it in real time in it's life.

I wasn't sure what cassette to try first for my Blockbusters maiden voyage. This was a cassette that I recorded that episode onto. Since they have an online version of it, I figured it was no loss if it ate it but it didn't. I only had to adjust the azimuth and it's been doing really well

 

[goodman]

Congratulations on the successful restoration.

 

[BoxBeats]

Congrats!

 

[Transistorized]

Congratulations on the successful restoration.

Congrats!

Many thanks guys There were parts that were a little tedious but overall, this box is very easy to work on. I always loved the way the Blockbuster looked. This project was a little bit of research over the last year or so to figure out the common issues. That, along with perfect timing on a sale which came together. I knew what parts were available and the usual culprits of failure. It was nice to hear it roar to life as I know it hasn't played a tape in at least 20 years. Even the tape counter was stuck. There's always that unknown feeling you get once everything back together. Is it going to work? So it's nice for that to be followed by a smile when success is seen and heard.

 

[Transistorized]

Note to self. Replace pinch roller the first time while your in there so you don't have to tear it down again and do it right the second time. The original was not shiny and cleaned up well during the initial tear down. But, it looked like this once 2 or 3 hours of tape play was done. The photo actually makes it look better. In person, it's as shiny as a mirror.


Out with the old, in the new.