My First Pinball

[MrGoodBurn]

I just purchased my first pinball machine today. I will be picking it up tomorrow. It's a 1978 Bally Fireball (Professional Home) version. I know it's not the exact same as the official machine. It has no coin slot, and is slightly smaller than the 1973 original; with a more simplified playing field. I picked it up on Craig's List for $175.00 with a box of spare parts and the original manual. It's in good condition with no ware on the playing field, and minor ware on the outside cabinet around the flipper buttons. It's fully functional, and ready to play...

I'm a little anxious since it will be my first pinball machine. Does anyone know anything about this machine?

I have posted a link to pics of the machine (not mine but like it).

http://www.ipdb.org/showpic.pl?id=4116&picno=5976

[luckydog]

congrats!!! it looks like fun

[new in town]

Congrats.

Welcome to the "I Really need MORE ROOM Club.

[20sporty02]

i would love to have a pinbaal machine, just nowhere to put it at the moment

[dattia]

That looks like a great machine! Have fun!!!

[bob5150]

Thats a nice price on that machine. As you said, it is missing some of the features of the original since it was made for home use but just remember, its also missing some of the headaches of a commercial machine(Those playfield spinners were a beast to keep clean and working). Also, and best of all, you know that its going to be pretty clean since its a "home" machine and it didn't sit in a bar, arcade, pizza place etc, getting crud all over it and wear all over the playfield and exterior. Great score.

Cheers, Bob

[MrGoodBurn]

Well... It isn't in as good of condition as I was led to believe. It is still in fairly good condition for it's age, but there is a lot of weather cracking in the paint on the cabinet and playing field.

The "POW" spinners are faded and in need of replacement. I will need to figure out where to get the stuff to seal and wax the playing field.

It has a few lights that don't work here and there. I checked the bulbs and they are all good. It looks like a matter of cleaning some bad connections I think.

It came with an extra power supply and power board that were reconditioned not too long ago.

I will post some pics later tonight.

[MrGoodBurn]

Here are a few pics...

[new in town]

Actually it's a 1976 machine. Here are some spec's on it.

Internet Pinball Machine Database: Bally 'Fireball'

The main search page for this site.

The Internet Pinball Machine Database

A serial number database.

-=Internet Pinball Serial Number Database-View Game Serial Numbers =-


A write up on (EM) games. (Electro Mechanical)

PINBALL: Repair EM Electro Mechanical Arcade Games (pinball, pitch and bat, bowlers)

If you need any parts or other info I can search all the Sites (many) that I have come across. I used these to restore my 1993 Indiana Jones.

[luckydog]

I don't think you went wrong at all for the price you paid

[MrGoodBurn]

As you may have noticed from the first set of pictures; the lights were not working. I did manage to fix them a few minutes ago.

There is a problem with the main harness going from the transformer to the power board. It looks like a common problem with these machines. I looked at my spare transformer, and power board, and I can see the beginnings of the same issue.

For now I used my trusty dremel, and a sandpaper disc to clean the burnt contacts, stretched them back into place, then reassembled.

That should hold it until I can get to the electronics store tomorrow for new connectors.

[MrGoodBurn]

Actually it's a 1976 machine. Here are some spec's on it.

I did notice that once I started working on the inside of it. I found a bunch of date stickers that had 1976 on them. I'm not sure where I cam up with 1978, but as usual... I was wrong!

If you need any parts or other info I can search all the Sites (many) that I have come across. I used these to restore my 1993 Indiana Jones.

Thanks NIT!

I may need some help finding the little "pow" spinners at some point. I haven't been able to find them yet on my own, but have only tried a few places. The ones I have are badly faded, and the labels are pealing.

[new in town]

Thanks NIT!

I may need some help finding the little "pow" spinners at some point. I haven't been able to find them yet on my own, but have only tried a few places. The ones I have are badly faded, and the labels are pealing.

I'll start doing some digging.

[new in town]

Found this. :

Internet Pinball Machine Database: Bally 'Fireball' Images

If all else fails you might ask Devon if he can make you up the spinner labels. If he can make them all you would need to do is give him the actual size of the spinner targets to print them out.

Found these on E-Bay. :

fireball pinball, Collectibles, galaxy pinball items on eBay.com

Some good links. :

Links

[bob5150]

Looks great so far. It should clean up nicely. For the price, you got a nice machine.

[ultramanst]

Very nice machine for the price i wish i had the room for some pinballs...