(Topic ID: 217555)

Keep it or let it go? Bad MPU, corrosion, beat up playfield

By MountBrew

5 years ago


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  • 19 posts
  • 9 Pinsiders participating
  • Latest reply 5 years ago by MountBrew
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Topic poll

“Keep or Let Go”

  • Let it Go! 6 votes
    50%
  • Restore that! It'll be fun! 6 votes
    50%

(12 votes)

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#1 5 years ago

I learned an important lesson on what not to buy and getting myself in way over my head for someone new to refurbishing machines.
Picked up a Game Plan Sharpshooter that looked like it only needed some MPU work due to battery corrosion. But after getting it home I found that it probably sat in a barn or basement and has other corrosion throughout the machine.
Honestly, I'm fine with the beat up playfield and corrosion as long as the game plays.
The big question is: Is it worth trying to get this up and running for a fun family pinball or sell it to someone who is capable of getting it to shine again.

Pics to follow

#2 5 years ago

Hmmm....Waiting for pics to tell. I've seen some rusty ass games before

#3 5 years ago

Here are a few of the concern areas

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#4 5 years ago

Som more of the playfield, backglass, and under field

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#5 5 years ago

Wow!
Just picked one of these up today also. Was thinking the exact same thing. . . fix it up or let it go.

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#6 5 years ago

That’s a pretty awesome coincidence. Yours looks to be in better shape.
How is that MPU-2 board looking? Battery leak damage?

#7 5 years ago

I honestly unloaded the game and took a few pictures -- didn't have a chance to give a closer inspection (I picked up a Stern Meteor at the same time -- more interested in that machine).
Looks like there was an external battery installed at some point.

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Don't worry, my playfield is no showpiece either.

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#8 5 years ago

Honestly, that's not all bad. I've fixed up worse. And seen worse:

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/bally-playboy-had-been-in-a-fire-restore-or-part-out

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/i-wanted-a-project-and-i-got-one

It is more of a question of your passion for the game. If your heart is in it, you find the ways. If your hearts not in it, pass it along to someone else.

I'm not all that familiar with the cost and availability of parts for this game, which is data you will need to collect to make a decision. Questions such as "If I can't fix the MPU, is there someone who can?...or is there a replacement available?"

The playfield would be a good place to develop your restoration skills, touchups etc.

#9 5 years ago

My thinking is if you don't have any interest in keeping the game for the long haul (and by that I mean something like 10 years) then let it go now. You'll need to sell it to someone that wants a Sharpshooter and is willing to put massive time and money into it(because that's the game they always wanted) because if you try and do it and then go to sell it right after without long term enjoyment of the game then you will be so upside down on the expenses you will never recoup.

John

#10 5 years ago
Quoted from wayout440:

I'm not all that familiar with the cost and availability of parts for this game, which is data you will need to collect to make a decision. Questions such as "If I can't fix the MPU, is there someone who can?...or is there a replacement available?"

Pretty sure someone just came out with a replacement MPU, but I'm sure it's not cheap.

John

#11 5 years ago

Echo lake makes batches of the MPU every so often. viperrwk did some very nice guides on the forum and pinwiki on rebuilding/repairing the MPU.

Most sharpshooters had the stuffing played out of them, had broken drop targets, MPUs ruined by the awful battery, and sometimes have corroded connector pins.

Otherwise, for the most part, they are generally reparable like any other early solid state machine. Just because it wasn't one of the long-term mainstream manufacturers doesn't mean it's scary to work on.

Fix it if you're interested in it, pass it along if you're not, but please don't deprive someone else of the game by parting it out.

#12 5 years ago

Good advice so far everyone. Very much appreciated! I wouldn’t dream of parting it out.
I’ll reach out to Echo Lake ton see if there’s a chance for a new MPU to help with my decision.

#13 5 years ago
Quoted from TractorDoc:

I honestly unloaded the game and took a few pictures -- didn't have a chance to give a closer inspection (I picked up a Stern Meteor at the same time -- more interested in that machine).
Looks like there was an external battery installed at some point.

Don't worry, my playfield is no showpiece either.

I saw that ad for a few days. If you don't mind me asking what did you get those for? Did the meteor have glass? Half thought about throwing him like 200 bucks but didn't know if they were even worth it. Just curious!

#14 5 years ago
Quoted from grantopia:

saw that ad for a few days. If you don't mind me asking what did you get those for? Did the meteor have glass? Half thought about throwing him like 200 bucks but didn't know if they were even worth it. Just curious!

Don't want to hijack MountBrew 's thread. . . but I can tell you $200 would not have won the day. The Meteor is fairly complete but does need a new bridge rectifier; all the other boards look good (even the MPU -- no acid damage).

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Nice seller -- he lived about five minutes from the house I grew up in.

I have decided to put the Sharpshooter on the market place for what I have invested in it -- do the math (x2) and you'll know what everything cost me.

#15 5 years ago
Quoted from TractorDoc:

I have decided to put the Sharpshooter on the market place for what I have invested in it -- do the math (x2) and you'll know what everything cost me.

$900 ??

John

#16 5 years ago
Quoted from Dayhuff:

My thinking is if you don't have any interest in keeping the game for the long haul (and by that I mean something like 10 years) then let it go now

I concur with John.

The playfield is pretty bad.

If it’s not going to be a long term keeper ... out she goes.

Lots more fish in the sea.

My criteria for buying an old pin - good playfield. I can fix everything else. If the playfield is too far gone, I pass.

rd

#17 5 years ago

Jim at echo lake has a list to get the next batch of mpu’s made. He needs 40 names. I thinks he is currently at 32. Reach out to him to get your name on the list.

#18 5 years ago
Quoted from TractorDoc:

Don't want to hijack mountbrew 's thread. . . but I can tell you $200 would not have won the day. The Meteor is fairly complete but does need a new bridge rectifier; all the other boards look good (even the MPU -- no acid damage).

Nice seller -- he lived about five minutes from the house I grew up in.
I have decided to put the Sharpshooter on the market place for what I have invested in it -- do the math (x2) and you'll know what everything cost me.

Ha thanks! I wasn't super interested in either game but just had that morbid curiosity of what they went for. Appreciate it!

#19 5 years ago

Well folks it looks like the jury is in and it's time for this to go. I'm hoping to sell it for the same price I paid.

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