I'm trying to clean this advance unit. It runs the thermometer on Heat Wave. The band of steel that is the "mercury" in the thermometer runs along the white reel, which is kind of a pulley.

I cannot get the reel off. Also, the sprocket won't come off. After removing the hex nuts, I can wiggle it about 1/2" up the spindle, but that's it.

I sure don't want to bend these parts by forcing them off, but I've got to get them off so I can get it all cleaned.

Is there a tool for this? Some pinball mechanic trick that I don't know about?

Thanks!

Mike

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Just saw that Harbor freight has a gear pulling tool set for $20. Thinking I’ll try that on the sprocket side of the unit & use the penetrating oil.

Did you repaint the thermometer band?

The gear puller didn’t work. Ended up getting the sprocket loose by working it back and forth with a large needle nose.

This time I removed the switches and coils and left them hanging, but I had to cut the 13 Bakelite connections. After reassembling the unit in the back box, I think it is easier to cut all the wires and just resolder them all.

The unit works great, only I lost the thermometer spring, so that's not back on yet. I put it someplace safe a few days ago, so I wouldn’t lose it.

The funny thing is, the special and Blow Your Top now only light when they are supposed to. No idea why they were always on before or what fixed it. One less thing to worry about.

Big decision time: break down & clean the match unit on GPs, or just let it be. It’s sluggish, but it works.

Tomorrow I’m taking everything off the playfield but the pop bumpers, for a good cleaning & waxing. New rubbers, and I can finally see how it plays.

Other owners- do you have one or two bands around your flippers? This one came with two on each.

jrpinball does that mean that my 1964 machine will never really play as intended, because it was designed & configured for larger balls?

And... is there a tool for getting lamps out of these holes? The socket won’t flex from behind. My fingers are too big and I don’t have a rug rat to ask for help.

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And I just ordered from them! Hate paying multiple postage’s. Maybe it’s not too late to add on.

I have one of those!