Interchangable or not?

[SilverFerret]

I have two Bally 873's that are the same style "Jackpot" black reel machines but one is a nickel and the other a quarter. My nickel machine stays inside and the quarter I haven't found room for in the house so for the time being it stays in the garage.
The nickel machine's reels don't always spin as freely as they should. I've tried to adjust them according to the "Owner Pictorial Guide" but haven't gotten the results I've wanted.
The quarter machines reels spin good and I suspect I could just swap out reel mechanisms but just wanted to check from the NLG community if there was something unique to each machine that might cause an issue.
Thanks, Jim
P.S If you could tip me off to getting the reels to spin correctly that would be fantastic.
Thanks agian.

[SilverFerret]

Actually let me re-state the spinning issue. The reels spin freely but the indexing levers sometime stop the reels too quickly, sometimes far too quickly. Sometimes the timing is comparable to my 809 sitting right next to it which works perfect. It's kinda a crap shoot of what timing the reels will have before the stop. It's not consistent.
Thanks, Jim

[Amachanic]

Hi... On the reels assembly thats giving you the problems have you checked and oiled the clock? Also there are a few small levers on the cross shafts under the reels that need to move freely.. Clean and oil all of those. If any of them have old dried on grease or oil, your machine might not kick start the reel correctly..  As for trying the other reels aaembly in your machine, if it has the same symbols and payout cards, I would think it would work..

Gary

[SilverFerret]

Thanks Gary,
Yes it has the same reels and payout. I figured it should be fine but wanted to ask.
As for the other assembly, I had taken some of it apart to oil and clean it but never messed with the clock.
I'll try that.
Thanks, Jim

[OldReno]

You can pop the reels in both machines, put the mechs back in, and watch the action as you pull the handle, so see if they're the same.  You might have to adjust your handle linkage length, and I think there's a post somewhere here on how to do that.  Also, as Amachanic says, make sure your linkages are free.
Also, check the holes on your long linkages, you may find the spacing is different, and you may have to move the links one hole.
AND, be sure to oil your 3rd reel variator well, and check that it lengthens and shortens after each spin, as well as your main variator which is just above the clock and fan.