Every once in a while, a machine comes into my shop that feels like a time capsule. Williams Firepower II (1983) is one of those games. It’s a sequel to the Steve Ritchie classic with fast gameplay and that early-80s style that just feels right. This time, his brother Mark Ritchie was the one who designed it. I’ve always been a fan of Road Kings, and I can see some clear similarities between the two machines. Read more about Road Kings here.
This Firepower II needed some attention. Nothing extreme, but enough wear and tear had built up over the years that it wasn’t playing anywhere near its potential. Here’s the rundown of what I did to bring it back to life.
Coin Door Switch Replacement
The coin door had a broken switch and a loose wire. These are common problems on Williams machines, since spilled beer or soda can easily damage those parts. I filmed a short video while replacing the switches on this game.
On System 7 titles like Firepower II, the coin door switches aren’t just for adding credits — they’re also tied into diagnostics and service functions. I pulled the worn switches, installed fresh replacements, and now everything works as it should. Credits register cleanly, and the service buttons respond properly.
It’s a small fix that doesn’t always get much attention, but it makes setup and testing much easier. I also set the game to free play mode by adjusting Function 18 (Max Credits) to zero.
Standup Target Replacement
The first major task was a set of busted standup targets. These take a real beating on Firepower II, so it wasn’t a surprise. I replaced the faces on a couple of targets and added fresh decals.
Cleaning & Fresh Rubbers
Next up was a fresh rubber kit and a deep clean. Old rubbers lose their bounce and get grimy, which can make gameplay feel sluggish. On this game, several rubbers were broken and the rest were rock-hard. I removed all the posts, cleaned the playfield thoroughly, and reinstalled everything with new white rubbers. This is one of the quickest ways to tighten gameplay back up.
Flipper Rebuild
Flippers are the soul of any pinball machine. Whenever I bring a game into the shop, I usually start with two things: replacing the power cord and rebuilding the flippers. On this Firepower II, the flippers were weak and sloppy, and the left one wouldn’t even return to its resting position.
It was missing a screw, and the plunger and link assembly were worn out. That meant installing new coil sleeves, bushings, links, and EOS switches. The result? Crisp, snappy flippers that shoot cleanly and reliably. Now the right flipper can consistently hit the outer loop, making it much easier to activate the hold bonus shot.
Power Cord Replacement
The power cord was next. The ground plug was missing, and the cord itself had several nicks. After decades of use, the original cord had seen better days. I replaced it with a new grounded cord so the machine is safe to plug in and enjoy for years to come.
Battery Corrosion Fix & Remote Battery Pack
The MPU had the all-too-common signs of alkaline battery corrosion starting to creep in. Left unchecked, that corrosion can eat traces and ruin the board. I neutralized the corrosion, cleaned up the area, and installed a remote battery holder so future battery changes won’t put the board at risk. It’s one of those small preventative fixes that can save a lot of headaches down the road.
Wax & Polish
After all the cleaning and repairs, I gave the playfield a fresh coat of wax. This keeps the ball moving fast and protects the surface from future wear. A slick Firepower II is a happy Firepower II.
Switch Adjustments & Testing
The last step was going through all the switch adjustments and play-testing. On older games, switch gaps tend to drift over time. A few tweaks later, all the rollovers, targets, and pops were registering properly. I put a few games on it to make sure everything held up under actual play.
The Result
Firepower II is back to playing sharp and fast. Snappy flippers, reliable targets, a fresh look, and no more corrosion worries. It’s a game that captures the spirit of early-80s Williams design, and after the tune-up, it’s ready to deliver hours of fast, smooth, and exciting gameplay.
Quick Before & After Checklist
✅ New standup target & decals
✅ Fresh rubbers & deep clean
✅ Full flipper rebuild
✅ Replaced power cord (safety first!)
✅ Neutralized corrosion & added remote battery pack
✅ Wax & polish
✅ Switch adjustments
✅ Full play test
