Ratchet/pawl not working

[banjo_picker]

After cleaning up the motor on my Victor VV-VIII and putting in a new mainspring, I finally am getting it back together. I put a few turns on it with the crank, but I noticed that the ratchet is not working... it will simply unwind by turning the crank backwards. The ratchet is not doing its job.

The movable part (not sure if that is the ratchet or the pawl) is free of grease, lightly oiled, and seems free to move easily. Neither part looks excessively worn, but I am no expert as this is the only machine I have ever seen up close and it was nonworking when I got it. What do you think?

[alang]

Did you try to install the motor? It would then hang upside down and gravity might help engage the pawl? I remember having a similar issue when I re-assembled a motor, but once installed it was no problem anymore.

Andreas

[banjo_picker]

Thanks, that was it. Boy am I ever dumb. Gravity!

The good news is the motor is running good now.

[alang]

Glad that it worked for you.

Andreas

[banjo_picker]

Websites like this are great because it makes it easy for people to dabble in things that they don't know much about. I appreciate you and others taking the time to answer my dumb questions! I almost have the machine ready to go.

Thanks again!