Hullo folks. So I have just spent the last two weeks restoring an FH-7 MK2 and really having a great time. It's the Canadian model that has the FM/AM tuner with 6 presets but no shortwave. Everything is working well except the tape deck. I rebelted (matched belts to old ones), lubricated and greased it but it seems to me that there is an idler gear for the ffwd/rew that has got stripped. My service manual lists it as "Gear FR" part number 3-307-970-00. Every second tooth on this gear appears to be about half the length of the others. The deck refuses to fast forward but will rewind. It also starts out playing well and then gets progressively slower. Questions are: 1. Perhaps there is a stock belt set for this deck, and if so, where do I get it? 2. Is it possible to replace this gear? 3. What else am I missing? Thanks! Matt
Hello Matt, Sorry I cant help much on this, but I also have a TC-78 (from an FH-7 mark 1) which also has a problem with the gear on the take up reel, mine slips so the tension on the take up reel is not constant in play mode. The teeth are partially "mashed up" leaving some grip for the other cog, so it is / or was possible (see below) to play a tape, but I'm not sure it does much for the tape pack (capstan and pinch roller still do the job they should though). Unfortunately in the process of attempting to fix this - from memory - as there's half of the gear circumference that isn't damaged - I've managed to mess the electronics up / or get the mechanism alignment timing out of step, so now it only winds and doesn't play. There are so many circuit boards in this small deck, and most are stacked on top of each other and bolted to the back of the mech. with myriad wires attached. So it's not a machine I relish working on! Good luck.
Hey Phil Also have the partially worn gear problem here. Perhaps it is common for these decks? If only someone would re-manufacture the gears... I know what you mean about electronics. Talk about wading through circuit boards! Matt
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