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Some time ago I bought a motor for my empty Victor III case but have since determined that it is actually a Vic III motor that was re-engineered at the factory to fit the Victrola IX. The crank threads and the speed control arm are both different than that of the original one in the Vic III, as is one other part of the motor that I have lost track of since I got the bad news and this past September’s MME in Wayne, NJ.

Have any of you modified such a motor for use on a Victor III and if so, was it a difficult job?

So, does it make any sense to look for the parts to change the motor back, which probably won’t be easy, or should I just start searching for a new complete motor for my little empty case?


Regards,
Green Mountain Bill

Green Mountain Bill wrote:Some time ago I bought a motor for my empty Victor III case but have since determined that it is actually a Vic III motor that was re-engineered at the factory to fit the Victrola IX. The crank threads and the speed control arm are both different than that of the original one in the Vic III, as is one other part of the motor that I have lost track of since I got the bad news and this past September’s MME in Wayne, NJ.

Have any of you modified such a motor for use on a Victor III and if so, was it a difficult job?

So, does it make any sense to look for the parts to change the motor back, which probably won’t be easy, or should I just start searching for a new complete motor for my little empty case?


Regards,
Green Mountain Bill

For the potential hassle involved in order to even attempted to make the motor work.....why not just wait for a decent Vic.3 motor to come up. They are not too difficult to locate.

There have been a couple sold recently on our forum. I think Jerry B sold the last one for a very fair price. It just needed cleaning, etc....

Sometimes it's better to have a machine correct than mickey moused.

However, this is just my opinion.... .

I certainly agree about not wanting to do a rig-job. You say Vic III motors are not too hard to find. I didn't find that to be the case when I was looking and I ended up with the wrong motor. But, I will certainly watch the listings closely to find one and maybe someone reading this message can point me in the right direction.

Thanks, Bill

Did the Vic III motor go in the early tabletop Victrola VV-XI?

There is a motor in mine which works fine (later similar to what should be in it except for the finer cut teeth).

However, when the proper motor comes available, I would not mind finding the correct one with the wider cut teeth.

Bill, How about some good photos of the motor? If I remember correctly, the Victor III type motor was turned 180 degrees in the Victrola cabinet which required a slight modification that is reversible. If I am correct, it should be easy to use in your Victor III. Jerry Blais

Vic IV and Jerry: I was told that the factory-modified motors were used in early Victrola IX table-top machines.

I am visiting parents and do not have access to my machine and motor but I will after 11/9. As for using the modified motor, I discovered that something was amiss when I bought my 2nd Vic III crank and it didn't fit the motor any better than the first. Making it fit the cabinet would require modifications to it that would leave me with a FRANKENPHONE so I would rather find an original Vic III motor. Maybe someone reading this post will direct me to one.

Thanks for writing.

Bill

Dear Vic IV and Jerry: OK so it's been a while since I wrote in about the issue with my Victor III motor. But I have leaned some things since then. The motor I now have to install in my Victor III case seems to match the carcass of the motor that came on its motorboard EXCEPT for the crank shaft. I have attached two photos of the crank shaft on my replacement motor as well as the crank that came with my Victor III and it seems that I need to replace it with a different crank shaft that has smaller threads on the end to allow crank to fit and wind up the springs. Am I correct about this? And if so, I am now on the hunt for such a replacement crank shaft.

Thanks for your help.

Regards,
Green Mountain Bill

The crank shaft you are looking for is narrower and will require replacing the entire cast spring barrel support and shaft. The thicker shaft (like yours) is seen in my first pic. My narrow shaft was broken and was replaced.

Note...because these early shafts are so narrow, they tend to break off at the very end.

Ron Sitko sells the shaft. However, you will need to make the notch for the gear key and then press the gear on if you find a support with a broken shaft. The last pic is showing Sitko's replacement shaft installed.

You could try and see if a parts seller like George V would be willing to sell you the assembly. However,you may find it difficult finding someone who is willing to part out a complete early motor. They would want to sell the 'whole' thing. But, you never know... .