I'm helping a friend bring his 1974 Gottlieb 'Far Out' back to life. The machine sat unused in a basement for about 20 years when I was enlisted to help with restoration. He is the second owner and the unit is in good overall condition. Full history and other details are included below.
While we've brought this game back to life after a 20-year sleep, I'm struggling to get the scoring and gameplay behavior dialed in. Often (but not always!) the scoring reels will advance in tandem (i.e. the 10s and 100s reels will move in unison). Also, the 'Double Bonus' light remains constantly lit, despite the player, ball, or targets that get triggered.
In addition to a careful playfield cleaning, rubber + lamp replacements, I carefully serviced all 16 scoring reels (teardown, clean, polish, properly lube, adjust switches, reassemble) and am fairly confident that all the 0, 1, 9 and EOS switches are adjusted properly. I serviced the step-up / step-down bonus mechanism under the playfield to restore proper mechanical function when manually operated, but am not sure this unit is working correctly during actual play.
I don't have the luxury of having the unit nearby, so am working on it periodically as I learn more about how things are supposed to function.
Thanks in advance for any tips or help you might be able to offer.
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NAME OF GAME, MANUFACTURER AND YEAR: Far Out, Gottlieb 1974
DID IT EVER WORK IN YOUR POSSESSION? I am helping a friend with restoration and have been able to get it working. Currently fine-tuning scoring and gameplay issues.
WHERE DID THE GAME COME FROM? Unit was acquired from an operator in the 70s and played intermittently in a private home until about 20 years ago. Machine sat unused since that time.
WHAT WAS THE LAST SERVICE YOU PERFORMED? Restoration was started a few months ago. Scoring motor ran continuously until all 16 scoring reels were fully serviced and properly lubed. Credit unit in back box also serviced and set to free play. Player Unit contacts shined up and lightly lubed with contact grease. Advance unit under play field rotor contacts cleaned up, mechanics realigned and repaired. Playfield carefully cleaned and waxed, full rubber replacement.
BLOWN FUSES: Not blowing fuses at present
SMELL: some minor burning upon cleaning and servicing the 'Advance' indexing unit under the play field, but that has stopped. No other smells.
OBVIOUS PAST WORK PERFORMED: There appears to be a couple of non-factory jumper wires on several switch stacks and the 'Advance' mechanism
DO YOU HAVE A VOLT/MULTI-METER: Yes, and I'm familiar with how to use it
CAN YOU SOLDER? Yes, I had to repair several disconnected scoring reel leads
DO YOU HAVE THE SCHEMATIC? Yes, plus the Game Operation instructions.
YOUR LOCATION? Machine is in Temecula, CA
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