Introduction
I received a phone call during my lunch hour wondering if I can repair a pinball machine. The owner did not know the name of the game or the condition of it, but said he could drop it off out my shop. I agreed and some what intrigued by the mystery game. As promised, the pinball machine showed up at my shop and ended up being Bally Dixieland. I couldn’t hide my excitement when I found out it is a game with Zipper Flippers!
Easy to identify Back glass Score card
Bottom Panel
Like most repairs (Strange World, Apollo, and Sky Jump) that I do, I usually start with the bottom panel. Bally made a slick set up that allows you to service the bottom panel of the game by rising it up and resting on the cabinet. The power cord and fuse holders got updated with new ones. I rebuilt the Clarinet Stepper Unit and went through the score motor switches. I did find one switch on the hold relay that had been soldered shut and returned it back to its normal state. Next, the bottom panel was finished and time to move on to the back box.
Side view of bottom panel Bottom panel pulled out for servicing Old power cord Switch soldered shut
Back Box
I continued cleaning and adjusting switches on the relays. I went through all four score reels, rebuilt the ball count unit along with the 0-9 match unit. It looked like someone along the way made it free play by bending a nail around the Credit Replay Zero Position switch. I later found out that this didn’t work as there was a gap between the nail and the switches. I bent the switch, which allowed for free play.
Backbox Score reels disassembled Ball Count Unit Dirty score reels Clean score reels Dirty stepper unit Nailed it!
Playfield
At first the playfield looked good besides the flippers. The flippers were shot along with both coils attached to them. I ended up rebuilding the flippers along with ordering two new coils. The pawl needs to be removed the plunger by removing the roll pin and installed on the new plunger. The rest of the parts were replaced. I cleaned the playfield, changed rubbers, and waxed the game. I did add new rubbers to the mushroom bumpers, which is often forgotten (or neglected).
Flipper in need of repair Old flipper coil with coil stop stuck Worn plunger Old flipper coil Stuck coil stop Coil Wiring 3 Washers that go on the flipper Pawl and plunger assembly New flipper coil Coil Wiring Right flipper Rebuilt Bally Zipper Flippers Exploded view of mushroom bumper Um, that’s a BIG no-no. Believe it or not, the fuse was good under the aluminum foil AND the right amperage.
Conclusion
Bally Dixieland pinball game was fun to go through and play. Love the Zipper Flippers along with the carry-over feature from game to game. If you get the clarinet bonus up to 500 and score the points at the kick out hole, it will light a letter in DIXIELAND. If all the letters light up, then a free game is awarded. The lights will carry over from game to game. This game has a lot going for it with 3 more gates and a mini bagatelle feature on the playfield.
Lot of dirt Playfield partially stripped Playfield all cleaned Back glass with lights This gentlemen can go back to singing, stomping, and snapping now that Dixieland is up and running!
Video
Here’s a quick video of the rules along with game play. If you enjoy these repairs and want to learn more about fixing EM pinball machines, I have created a beginner’s course with over 50 lesson!
Wonderful job and progress of repair for the Dixieland machine. Looks in good shape now. I fix clocks (Horologist). My boss found out and asked if I could clean up and repair their pinball machine. 1968 Bally Dixieland. It is clean now, new LED bulbs. 95% of it works. The zipper flippers do not stay shut when needed. Would like to discuss this with you. AND, sometimes, some lights are on, then dim, then go out, then back on. other than that, everything works (knock on wood)…gates open, free game awards, bonus points, etc.
Hi Kyle. Sorry for the slow response on this. Did you get your problem resolved?
thanks for the response. i believe everything now is working except for the flipper that need to stay locked when the red cap is hit with the ball. I raised the playing field, and manually watched how it works. My take is that the magnet (if it is a magnet) never disengages. when the red cap is hit (lifted) the flippers do close and try and lock but the release lever gets pulled back down onto the magnet which releases the lock. it tries, but I am stumped.
Hi Kyle. Manually check the mech and make sure it’s working correctly. It should latch in the up position and then you can unlatch it for the normal position. If that’s good, then look at the schematic. You are looking at C-F Relay/Solnoid and the Red M-B relay both around C21 – C23 on the schematics.
C-F = Close Flpper
Yes, I manually checked the mech and made sure it is working correctly. it does latch in the up position and then unlatch it for the normal position. But, both of these things happen one after the other within one second, resulting in the normal position. just ordered the schematic. thanks and I will keep you posted on questions and/or progress.
If you manually move the flipper so it latches in the UP position, it should stay up. There is a coil on the bottom of the mech that has a latch that keeps the flipper assembly in the UP or DOWN position. Check and see if that is working correctly.
Cool is working properly. I snipped off one ring to make sure it is a bit stronger.
Great to hear!!
hang on…the “spring” is working, not the flipper holding/locking in place.
Just sent you an email.