I actually just bought one of these off of a guy on Craigslist. It's missing the backbox, but functions. My goal is to convert it into a custom pin with all new artwork, while keeping the layout and rules the same, at least until I'm confident enough to alter that. As long as I can keep it in working order, I'll be happy. Now, to find a compatible backbox...

Note: There was another EM on Craigslist, an intact and very nice-looking Doodlebug. I didn't go for that one, because I'd feel bad defacing it when it's in such nice condition. The Mariner, on the other hand, is in good enough condition to use and customize, while not pristine enough to feel like I'm destroying a piece of history. I'll be making a thread and posting pics of my progress as I go.

No backbox at all. So no score reels or anything. It's been cleaning up nicely with a magic eraser and alcohol, and I'm very excited that it's mostly working, with little to diagnose so far. Looking forward to transforming it. I've already started drawing up designs.

Are Bally EM backboxes of this era pretty interchangeable with each other, or would I need to get a Mariner backbox specifically for it to work properly?

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Wow, @embryonjohn, that's looks to be in great shape!

Hmm, that's what I was afraid of. My hope was that it being mostly just the score reels inside the back box, that it would be fairly plug-and-play if I had another 4-player Bally of that era.
Guess I'll have to either keep my eye out for another Mariner or pick up a full machine at Pinfest.

It's been a while, but I got the backbox I needed and am trying to get everything functioning. Could anyone show me how the up-post is supposed to be wired? Mine currently stays up, and only goes down when the "down post" button is pressed. Then as soon as the button is released, it pops back up. If it's not the wiring, is a switch closed that should be open?

Hey folks, I know it's been a while, but my restoration for Mariner continues (after a lengthy hiatus). My apologies to EM-fan who messaged me a while back and I never responded. At some point in the future, I will indeed have some spare plastics and POSSIBLY, a backglass (assuming I don't hang onto it to frame as a memento). Not ready to part with anything QUITE yet, though, as I'm still using them for reference.

At any rate, my progress has been detailed here, but the long and short of it is I've got the game running at pretty much 100% and just need to do a full rebuild and cleaning and I'll be well on my way to begin the re-theme anew. Hope to see more posts here soon!