TECH: Williams OXO

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.pinball (More info?)

Hi group,

Just got a new addition, a 1973 Williams OXO. Haven't started going
through it yet, but are there any tricks of the trade or things to keep
an eye out for?

Thanks!

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.pinball (More info?)

Make sure all fuses are correct before you cut it on and the fuse is not
wrapped in foil to keep it going. I don't know what it is about Williams EM
pins, but every single one I can remember buying whether shopped, semi
shopped, or unshopped has the wrong amp fuses. Cut the pin on, and if there
any weird things, like the ball skipping count, etc., check for loose wires
due to bad solder joints. Williams EMs are famous for this, typically on
the ball count relay for some reason. Those grey wires dry rot and pop off.
Also, check all stepper units. They are usually gummed up, like player up
for example, probably in the back of the cabinet.

Also, I owned a Gottlieb Egghead pin. you may switches to adjust for the
tic tac toe thing, but otherwise a great game, OXO. I played it at The
PInball Parlour recently and it was a lot of fun. One of the better
Williams 70's ems in my opinion.

Josh
http://www.pingeek.com

"bstnguy" <bstnguy@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1126964056.645366.90930@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...
> Hi group,
>
> Just got a new addition, a 1973 Williams OXO. Haven't started going
> through it yet, but are there any tricks of the trade or things to keep
> an eye out for?
>
> Thanks!
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.pinball (More info?)

"bstnguy" wrote:
> Hi group,
>
> Just got a new addition, a 1973 Williams OXO. Haven't started going
> through it yet, but are there any tricks of the trade or things to keep
> an eye out for?

Are you looking for specifics on this game in particular, or general
"pinball fixing up" info? For general repair/restoration info, see this
site: www.marvin3m.com/fix.htm

Nothing really unique to OXO in the way of nuances or anything special you
should know. Most everything about it is pretty common for most Williams
4-player EM games of that era- other than the fact that it does use an
unusually large bank of relays on the underside of the playfield to keep
track of the X's and O's for the 3x3 grid on the playfield- a lot of
hardware there, and makes for a very heavy playfield. This relay bank uses
the 100vac reset coil, which many Williams games during 1960's/1970's used,
but those games with a lot more "mileage" can often have worn out joints on
the coil plunger/link/arm that the 100vac coil activates- we've had to
replace a few of these from time to time that were badly worn.

Very fun game- often touted as being one of, if not the most, popular
Williams electro-mechanical game ever made.

Most OXO games have a lot of "mileage" on them as they got a lot of play out
in the field. So common to see them with moderate playfield wear, cabinet
wear, and poor condition backglasses (flaking/faded ink, etc). Very hard to
find a nice one, but a really good looking game if you can get one in nice
shape- and keep it that way- definitely "keeper" material, IMHO.

Good game- good luck!

Ray J.
--
Action Pinball & Amusement, LLC
Salt Lake City, Utah USA
Web: www.actionpinball.com

We're serious about pinball. Anything else is just for fun!

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.pinball (More info?)

Thanks for the advice so far!!

I found 2 fuses that were too high their spots, and think that
contributed to some relay wire melting. And one stepper that was
pretty gummed up to the point of not rotating at all.

When I bought it, it had the "Tilt" light stuck on, wouldn't score and
all three chime coils would stick on.

So far, found 2 relays that had relay switches mis-aligned (the Tilt
Relay and Latch Relay). Now the game plays, and I'll go throught the
rest of the relays to make sure they're set right. And check all the
coil resistances too.

I'd say the condition of the machine is middle to upper middle of the
road. The machine looks like it was retouched at some point, as there
are some touchups on the backglass. One minor spot of flaking, and
little playfield wear. Two plastics have corners broken (anyone
selling?).

The cabinet I can't figure out. Some of the paint is flaking off, but
it looks like there is another scheme underneath it.

Thanks again for the tips, any more, I'd apprecite them!

Bstnguy

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.pinball (More info?)

go slow, be patient, check and clean every contact, then check them all
again

Ctsteps5

owner of
71 Bally Expressway, 72 Williams Superstar,
74 Williams Star Pool, 75 Gottlieb Fast Draw.

Moderator of EM Pinball Group
http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/empinbalmachines/