by El_Smack — published on March 26th, 2007
While I’m waiting for my parts, there is plenty to keep me busy. First thing that comes off is the Upper Playfield, so I started there. Getting that off was a bugger, but it eventually yielded. I pulled everything off it, some of it held on by the most ridiculous methods. Giant wood screws, bits of leather (really!), a twist tie holding a switch in place… I guess you work with what you got when you are a route tech.

It still had the factory mylar on it, which was good. Except where it was worn through, which was bad. That VUK has done a number on the playfield.
So I froze the mylar off, and used Goo Gone to clean up the left behind adhesive. Then a little elbow grease, Novus and sandpaper took care of the rest. Tada!

No one will mistake it for NOS, but it’s much better than before. Cleaning the bottom sides of the inserts with alcohol and Q-tips made a huge difference too. Light can actually come through them now!
by El_Smack — published on March 26th, 2007
Here’s the list of what’s getting replaced or added. The parts are coming from the usual places, Marco, BAA, Illinois PinBall, Pinball Inc, Pinball Life. And I’d like to send a shout out to my 2 local sources for parts, Action Pinball and ThePinballWizard.net. Both excellent places.
So without further ado, the list:
- Ramps, full set of repros. Everything but Insanity Falls.
- Plastics, full set of repros.
- Topper Dome. Repro.
- Waterfall topper insert. Beg, borrow, steal, wait patiently, pay way too much. Probably in that order.
- Green translucent targets.
- White targets
- Coin door
- Leg protectors
- Coffin speaker
- Backglass lift rail
- Rear glass moulding
- Leg bolts
- Shooter rod components
- Jet bumper skirts, and the ring and rod assembly.
- Flasher domes, changing from red to blue
- Pinballs
- Star posts and plastic post sleeves, changing from clear to blue
- Eproms - LH-5 for freeplay and added settings like ball save.
- Bulbs of all varieties
- Rubber kit.
Total cost: $76.48. Including shipping.
And just so this isn’t a text only post, here is a pic of me snowmobiling.

by El_Smack — published on March 26th, 2007
The first thing to do was take stock the actual condition of the machine. It’s fully functional, so I’m good there. All the dirt hides a lot, however, and closer examination of all the parts will reveal just what needs to be done. So off with the glass and let’s really take a look at what I’ve got here.

There’s more, but these pics really tell the tale. Are you supposed to be able to see the lights under the Whirlpool? Cause, I kinda can. If I look really hard. And who the hell put the “Bigfoots Cave” Mountain on bass-ackwards?
Next step: Order up the needed parts.