CRAP! How hard is it to remove the head on a Williams pinball?

[Crazy Climber]

Hey guys, I really screwed up man I found one of my favorite pinball machines, Space Shuttle by Williams, and it was a great price so I immediatly purchased it. I didn't measure it! What was I thinking! Well long story short, the machine is 30" my basement doorway is 29"

The only way I can get this thing in my house is by removing the head, something I have never done. I was wondering if this is super hard or is this something I can actually do? I really want this game, it would crush me to come this close only to have to re sell it. Any advice? Can I do this without screwing things up? To make matters worse the top key is missing so I will have to ruin the lock but totally worth it to play Space shuttle in my basement. Let me know what you guys think, Thanks

[Ian Primus]

The heads come off EM pinball machines easily, and the solid state ones typically fold down easily - but can also be removed with more difficulty. You need to get inside the head though, since the bolts holding it on will only be accessable there. Raise the playfield and look to the back where the wires come down. If you're lucky, there will be a couple large molex connectors there. Disconnect them, unbolt the head, and away you go.

 

If not - then you can simply disconnect all the wiring from the logic boards inside the head, and thread it through. Shouldn't be necessary though.

 

With EM machines, the BACK of the head is a piece of sheet metal, which removes easily (a lock). Inside will be two or three big connectors for the wiring. But solid state machines have solid backboxes, the only access being through the front, by removing the glass.

 

Don't worry - these things do come apart. But first thing's first - you do need to get inside the head, which means drilling out or picking the lock, lifting up the backglass and removing it.

 

Don't worry about the lock either - you can buy another one for about five bucks.

 

-Ian

[Ian Primus]

but totally worth it to play Space shuttle in my basement. Let me know what you guys think, Thanks

 

I think you should just put the game in your kitchen. <grin>

 

-Ian

[Crazy Climber]

The heads come off EM pinball machines easily, and the solid state ones typically fold down easily - but can also be removed with more difficulty. You need to get inside the head though, since the bolts holding it on will only be accessable there. Raise the playfield and look to the back where the wires come down. If you're lucky, there will be a couple large molex connectors there. Disconnect them, unbolt the head, and away you go.

 

If not - then you can simply disconnect all the wiring from the logic boards inside the head, and thread it through. Shouldn't be necessary though.

 

With EM machines, the BACK of the head is a piece of sheet metal, which removes easily (a lock). Inside will be two or three big connectors for the wiring. But solid state machines have solid backboxes, the only access being through the front, by removing the glass.

 

Don't worry - these things do come apart. But first thing's first - you do need to get inside the head, which means drilling out or picking the lock, lifting up the backglass and removing it.

 

Don't worry about the lock either - you can buy another one for about five bucks.

 

-Ian

Alright! I found the key (was inside the coin box!) I am crossing my fingers that it has molex connectors. I am going out to the garage now, hope it's as easy as it sounds but with my luck....

Thanks for the tips man, can't wait to play this bad mama jama

[Trooper]

I have an old Bally Star Trek (78 or 79) and to remove the backbox on it you remove the glass on the backbox, open the door and there are 4 screws, once unscrewed you just lift off the backbox. It's quite heavy though so I'd recommend getting someone to help you.

[keilbaca]

:o

 

I LOVE that table. LOVE it, so much.

 

The head folds down, the legs can come off as well. There should be no reason not to get that thing into the place.

 

I'm completely jealous. The last time I played Space Shuttle, I was 5 or 6. I rock that game so hard on the Williams Collection on the PS2. Such a fun pin...

[Crazy Climber]

OK! Got it done, only took about 2 hours for removal, moving, total set up, etc....wasn't as easy as I had hoped but I can't complain.

I would not want to do it again though so I guess this one is staying in my arcade for a long time - lol - The wires consist of about 7 or 8 bunches which were all conected with molex connectors except for one large bunch....the power supply. After some debate I figured it would be easier to un hook all the wire plugs from the head then remove the power supply. Would not have been a big deal except for all the plugs were very far in the box and I basically had to un plug them blind. It took some time to find the correct places when it was time to put it back together but a few attempts (and a few painfull scratches, I swear these techs must have tiny arms/hands to work on this stuff) and it was up and running! I now have a Space Shuttle in my basement! AWESOME!

Thanks for the help guys

[keilbaca]

I'm seriously jealous. If I ever come to that area, mind if I take grand champion off of your pin? XD

[Crazy Climber]

I'm seriously jealous. If I ever come to that area, mind if I take grand champion off of your pin? XD

Yeah, stop on by man

[pinball22]

Congrats! Space Shuttle would be a really fun pin to have.