Another Mopar Off My Bucket List - Barracuda Fastback
Like most things I've worked on, each project seems to have several mini-hurdles to overcome.
One of the things I hadn't liked about the pinball machine I was modifying was that it had really short flippers that were spaced far apart. 90% of the time the ball in play would go straight down the middle before you had a chance to hit it. The solution I thought of was to install longer flippers. It seemed easy but once again my lack of experience bit me in the butt.
First I ordered a longer pair of plastic Gottlieb brand flippers. I assumed I could install them in a few minutes. Well, they didn't fit. The steel pivot arm that they were to attach to was different. I considered trying to epoxy them in place but knew the pinball was a pretty solid force to contend with. I probably needed a better solution.
Next I purchased a pair of longer flippers that included the proper steel pivots. When they arrived I found that the pivot shafts were longer and a bigger diameter. I couldn't fit them into the existing structure.
Now I've decided to have a machine shop make me a couple of new pivot pins that I'll have to weld to the steel flipper bases. I hope this works.
Another thing I've been fighting is the fancy L.E.D. light modification. I needed to figure out a way to power them up. The machine has the twist in style bulb sockets but the L.E.D. lights use the spade style (194) sockets. There is almost zero extra room beneath them for any form of adapter. These lights are made so delicately that I don't think I could solder wires to them without damaging them. They are plastic and the power contacts are made of foil.
I've decided to try a cold soldering technique. I purchased some 'WIRE GLUE'. It is made to be used like an epoxy and it DOES conduct electricity. The dry time on it is slow so it is difficult to attach wires on these areas I cannot clamp. - One other thing I discovered is that the bond is not very strong. I may have to coat them with a rubber cement to keep them from popping loose.
I guess this project is just like every other one I get involved with. I'm fighting it every step of the way.
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Like most things I've worked on, each project seems to have several mini-hurdles to overcome.
One of the things I hadn't liked about the pinball machine I was modifying was that it had really short flippers that were spaced far apart. 90% of the time the ball in play would go straight down the middle before you had a chance to hit it. The solution I thought of was to install longer flippers. It seemed easy but once again my lack of experience bit me in the butt.
First I ordered a longer pair of plastic Gottlieb brand flippers. I assumed I could install them in a few minutes. Well, they didn't fit. The steel pivot arm that they were to attach to was different. I considered trying to epoxy them in place but knew the pinball was a pretty solid force to contend with. I probably needed a better solution.
Next I purchased a pair of longer flippers that included the proper steel pivots. When they arrived I found that the pivot shafts were longer and a bigger diameter. I couldn't fit them into the existing structure.
Now I've decided to have a machine shop make me a couple of new pivot pins that I'll have to weld to the steel flipper bases. I hope this works.
Another thing I've been fighting is the fancy L.E.D. light modification. I needed to figure out a way to power them up. The machine has the twist in style bulb sockets but the L.E.D. lights use the spade style (194) sockets. There is almost zero extra room beneath them for any form of adapter. These lights are made so delicately that I don't think I could solder wires to them without damaging them. They are plastic and the power contacts are made of foil.
I've decided to try a cold soldering technique. I purchased some 'WIRE GLUE'. It is made to be used like an epoxy and it DOES conduct electricity. The dry time on it is slow so it is difficult to attach wires on these areas I cannot clamp. - One other thing I discovered is that the bond is not very strong. I may have to coat them with a rubber cement to keep them from popping loose.
I guess this project is just like every other one I get involved with. I'm fighting it every step of the way.
View attachment IMG_6517.jpg
View attachment IMG_6518.jpg
View attachment IMG_6516.jpg
View attachment IMG_6522.jpg
View attachment IMG_6523.jpg