The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I recently purchased the Victor 8-35 ( pictured).
By all accounts, it hasn’t been monkeyed with in the past.
I was surprised when I got it home and could not get the crank to engage with the female end of the motor.
I verified that I have the correct crank, and the crank engages fine on my work bench with the motor board out of the case.
When I look through the escutcheon with a flashlight,
It looks like the receiving end is close to being lined up. but slightly high.
This would indicate that the spacers between the motor and motor board are worn, I think???
A big deal to fix or other thoughts?

Thanks,
Gene

Remove the two crank escutcheon wood screws.
This will allow plenty of wiggle room to get the crank to mate with the motor.
Then reinstall the wood screws.

Hi Gene-- I've had the issue come up at times-- You're likely correct, that the felt washers may be flattened. They aren't really "spacers", they are noise dampeners that reduce vibration between the motor and the motor board.
If, as you say, the motor seems just a bit high, replacing (or adding to) the felt washers would lower the motor a little and may give you the alignment you need for the crank. At times, I've used pieces of rubberized flooring underlayment or even leather for the washers-- Mainly something soft and flexible to dampen the motor noise transfer.
You could also adjust the escutcheon, as was mentioned, but be careful that the crank isn't rubbing on the edge of the escutcheon too much. Over time it will wear the finish off your crank. We've all seen cranks that actually have a groove worn in them from rubbing against the escutcheon.
By the way-- Is this the 8-35 that I posted about on facebook in the Baltimore area? It looked to be in pretty nice shape--and a good price. Good luck with your restoration- They are pretty neat looking machines.

Brad Abell

Brad,
Thank you for the advice.
Yes, I took the 7 ½ hour round trip from NJ to MD to pick up the machine.

My wife thinks I'm crazy!
Gene

I think it's a marital requirement that we make our wives think we're crazy. What else do we have to do-- right?? I just love driving down I-95--- NOT--

I had an 8-35 back in the 80's. I kept it about 12 years--Until the 3rd kid came along . I had albums in two of the shelves and some phono and Uncle Josh books in the others. Great sounding machine.
Please post some pics when you get it finished.

Brad Abell

Ha ha
Will do!