Re: 8 Track Tape Deck Servicing

["Brien Tourville" <hh7x@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Correct Ken~!   If the Tape unit has 'high mileage' 
with the service cleaning a ' never happened', 
the transport path may be grooved from wear, 
causing the Trip-Foil to w'alk' on occasion> 
thus  intermittent track switching failure.

Depending on the tape transport path > 
guides etc. condition, ( clean like crazy! )
Jay won't know until the top is off, the Head Cleaner
applied & a finger-nail is run across to see
if there are grooves cut in from wear.

Just follow the path the tape does > check each
guide & head surface.  

If the head has a lot of wear,
it will show once well cleaned & under a Tensor Lamp
by looking w'avy' .  

If it has 'ledges' cut in and / or odd
'flats' .......... run the Deck after servicing & go from
there.

Cleaning / deGaussing / deGlazing may span the wear problem
by allowing greater sensitivity between the Trip-Foil
and the trigger contacts.

The servicing will answer
the question whether or not a Service Repair
Center should be selected.

Copy down all the Deck information Data for 
your records & chats with Service Centers
on Parts availability ( no doubt the head is
available as many manufacturers used the 
same one ).

A good shop can install a New Tape Head 
and align it for years of 'Listening Pleasure'.


If the track switching failure only happens 
with one tape in particular.........

you can check the Foil on the Tape ( as it it most
likely your favourite ) by pulling the Tape out as soon
as the Track changes.

Gently back the Tape up by slipping a Q-Tip under
it to pull out from the case....... draw the Tape out
and you should eventually
see the Silver Foil insert > 
see if it is 'krinkled' or 
edge folded etc. 

 If it is, check with Radio Shack
on their Tape repair kits > the Foil is an A'pplique'
and can be restored if you can't find another copy
from the .net .

Spin the rubber wheel to re-wind & re-tension the
Tape.

Reminder*  >  The Rubber wheel in the 8 Track
Tape housing turns to 'Goo' over time ........ 
but can be replaced with a S'ervice Wheel' , 
again, check Radio Shack > and / or  google
the 8 Track Tape Repair theme & make some
inquiries.

ALSO, ........ out there somewhere,
is an '8-Track
Head Cleaning' Kit , ........
looks like an 8-Track Tape and
you just insert it and it does its' thing.

This is perfect for bi-weekly maintenance if you
run the Deck a lot.

These came out in the last years that 8-Tracks
ruled the Trans. humps - just before Cassettes.

Credit to great 'Electronic Geek' friend Dan Overton:
" 'lemme school 'ya here on this 'B......" 
hangin' in my '66 GTO 'Rag'
one afternoon, as my deck ate a favourite
CACTUS Tape & I went ballistic........ who
simplified the complexities.........
Tape was saved > Deck serviced & no
further problem,.......one Summer, 
almost yesterday...........back in '71.


Note* > I read that the Cassette bays can receive
an adapter allowing you to run your MP3
Player or iPod thru the system .

Might be a good reason to
hunt up an AMC cassette deck........ hmmM.....?



              Brien.
         NEW YORK
   eagle registry #501
eagle kammback registry




From: Ken Ames <ameskg@xxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: 8 Track Tape Deck Servicing

The 'dirt' is a type of lubricant that allows the tape reel to work
properly, pulling the tape from inside the reel and putting it back 
on
the outside.

The track change signal comes from a strip of foil on the tape that
bridges contacts near the tape head and thereby trips the stepper
motor to move the tape head. If the foil is damaged or no longer
conductive the tracks won't change.

Ken Ames

Quoting Brien Tourville <hh7x@xxxxxxxxxxx>:

> 
> 
> Date sent:      	Wed, 07 Sep 2005 18:32:38 -0700
> From:           	"mail@xxxxxxxxxxxx" <List@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject:        	mail Digest for 7 Sep 2005 in hour 18:00
> To:             	"hh7x@xxxxxxxxxxx" <hh7x@xxxxxxxxxxx>
> Send reply to:  	mail-From-<# print("<#"); #> print(JADDR); <#
> print("#>"); #>@amc-list.com
> 
> From: peggy delancey <butterfly15610@xxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: Re: 8-Tracks
> To: mail@xxxxxxxxxxxx
> 
>     Speaking of *-Tracks folks. Does anyone know where
> I can get the one in my 1975 Pacer rebuilt? It works
> fine most of the time, but once and a while it will
> not change tracks! A little nerve racking at times.
> Still not bad for a $5 purchase out of a junk yard.
> 
>                      Jay
> 
> 
> ------------------------------------------------
> 
> 99% of the time Jay, it is either excess magnetism,
> or dirt ( 8 track Mylar Tape is coated with 'Dirt' which
> is what stores the signal ).
> 
> At Radio Shack you can buy a DeGauss - ing tool >
> looks like an electric tooth-brush but with a 'wand stick'
> on the end.
> 
> Open the Tape door > place the wand tip on the 9'o'clock
> of the metal and touch each 'hour' around the clock including
> the tape head > you're removing the excess magnetism
> from the head and surrounding area.
> 
> I'd remove the cover from the deck & use Tape Head Cleaner
> and the wooden Q-tip sticks found at Radio Shack specifically
> for this purpose.
> 
> Radio Shack also has a Treatment for the Rubber drive wheels
> that remove the glaze & restore contact patches.
> 
> I would do all the above before sending the unit out > save $$
> and you'll now have the skills to service your deck.
> 
> I used to degauss once a week > kept the signal clear and strong.
> 
> If you do want to send it out : 
> 
> http://tinyurl.com/7mtrh
> 
> It is www.google.com > typed in 8 Track Tape Deck Repair >
> take your pick.
> 
> 
> 
>              Brien.
>          NEW YORK
>    eagle registry #501
> 
> eagle kammback registry