Ok ... let me know if this qualifies me into the group. For the "Hobbyist" part of this group, and if you are really bored and have about 50 minutes to kill, I just posted a new video of what I've done in my spare time for the last several months with mods to my F14 Tomcat. I'm by far no professional, as you will see, just a "hobbyist". If/when you get board, skip to about the 48 minute mark for the "after" light shows in dim room light. I learned a lot along the way and I'm still just a newbie when it comes to fiddling with things after 28 years of owning this machine. Maybe something in here will inspire you and show you what to avoid. Check it out:

Ummm ... I got it ... I think. See my video at about 36:20. If that is not what you are talking about, please send me a link so that I can take a look at it.

Ohhh, ok. Where do I get get those? Can you send me a link?

I got them ... one of the attempts did get through. Thanks!

As far as the reward itself for the "special", that can be set to different things also. I have mine set for a extra ball. During the multi-ball, I'm concentrating more on getting all the landings.

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I replaced my beacon motor and the rubber belts/bands when I reworked mine. It was sticking a little at the beginning. I messed with the pulleys a bit as my thoughts were that they were side loading a bit and after they were not used for 25+ years, there was likely some dust/dirt restricting it here and there. I pulled on the new belts/bands a to flex them a little so that they were maybe not as tight. That worked, but was still sticking from time-to-time. After it got used maybe 5 times or so, it worked a lot better. Not sure if that will help at all, but I had the same thing happen.

Does anyone have these pinblades installed on their F14? If so, can you post a couple of pics of them installed on the machine? Thanks!
http://www.tiltgraphicsinc.com/#!product-page/c7zeb/7345d3e3-7920-f2a4-2ab1-b476e5a11660

As far as I could see/find, there were no code updates. Someone correct me if I am wrong.

I like the one from pinballlife.com that has the light up LED cap and that also illuminates the area playfield. There are some adjustments for brightness for your specific tastes. It comes in various colors too if you don't like the red cap. Go to the 35:22 mark in my video link below and I have some close ups of it.

The beacon motor can be replaced fairly easily too - if that is the only problem with the beacons not working and it is not a board issue. But deduct for that anyhow if it is not working.

Has anyone used these F14 cabinet decals? My cabinet could use a facelift and I'm thinking about restoring it a bit more with these. Experienced input/reviews with these would be helpful. Thanks!
http://www.planetarypinball.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=PP&Screen=PROD&Category_Code=GS-804&Product_Code=PPA-F14-CABSETNG

Thanks for the info. I will definitely make sure mine is set ok and put this bulletin with my manual.

Ok thanks.

Stuck with the clear and modded them out with the popular vinyl decals. He sells them for all the clear plastics.
ebay.com link: F 14 TOMCAT WILLIAMS PINBALL MACHINE YAGOV STICKER DECAL MOD

Look at the photo in post 1960 a few above yours. Looks a little different.

See some of the later entries in https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/f14-flashers-not-working
I also cover how I did it in the following video, and the beacon lights, and I also added under cabinet LED flashers in the video.

Have fun!

GRUMPY is the master of F14 trouble-shooting. He's helped me before.

Click on the link to this post to see how it should be wired to make the LED flashers work correctly in the backbox ... in case this helps.

Note that further in the thread I had discovered that I had to remove warming resistors from boards under the playfield on the same circuit as well in order for them to work. Check those too. (This was under GRUMPY direction too.)

Maybe getting a different flipper rubber would help? I just have the "normal" rubber ones (not the silicone) and the ball does not bounce up to the glass, and can't remember it ever doing that. Make sure the rubbers are positioned in the center of the flipper vertically too and raise/lower the flipper from the play field so that the impact of the ball will not hit the top of the rubber. Just a suggestion to try ...

I read on ipdb that this was the first pin ever to have that feature. Some nostalgia for you. They have quoted from Steve Ritchie:

"F-14 had a first-ever kickback device that fired the ball straight back at the flippers at very high speed, called the Jagov Kicker. F-14 was the first game with "Autosave", which meant the player could have the ball back if it drained prematurely [at the start of a ball], was shot down between the flippers by the Jagov Kicker, or drained during the onset of multiball, etc."

There are on/off settings for that and you can adjust the timer for it. My wife mandates that the Yagov have a ball saver in case she does not catch it in time. She does great at it, but still wants "the flight insurance".

Mine has always gone through the spinner and loop around.

Need a little help. During a party the bottom 4 bulbs went out for Mach 1&2, and Landing 1 & 2. I swapped bulbs with the top 2 to confirm that the 4 bulbs didn't burn out. The locks still work. No errors. Any ideas what the issue is? @grumpy?

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Thanks! I will go on the hunt for the issue this weekend.

Nothing obvious yet. I will check continuity.

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If I jumper the yellow wire, then they all work in lamp test. Nothing is broken in 2, but looks like it needs to be replaced or maybe re-soldered. Thanks for helping to troubleshoot.

Yes, that is what the problem is, thanks!