Zitt
Member
1981 Gottlieb Black Hole Pinball Restoration
Back in July; a local pinball friend (thanks Joe!) offered me a deal I couldn't refuse on a 1981 Gottlieb Black Hole Pinball Machine. So being my first restoration of a Gottlieb machine; I'm sure I'll learn a lot.
Unlike the 1979 Bally Star Trek I did last year; this GTB machine is considered "high-maintenance" and has frequent electrical issues. My goal is to return the machine to near new condition; and do most if not all of the circuit improvement suggested by Marvin's fixit site: http://www.pinrepair.com/sys80/index.htm in a effort to reduce this machine to a "it just works" machine.
This machine is a project machine which will require cleaning and releveling the Playfield inserts on both the upper and lower playfields. Many of the inserts have either fallen or risen due to heat and glue break down. Like the Bally machine; Both PFs will receive auto clearcoat to protect the playfield. The Black box will also need some door repair.
I have lots of plans for the machine as far as mods go... I think the machine will receive a set of flipper led mods since the buttons are identical to the Bally Star Trek. I'm thinking of doing something special with the pop bumpers - but you'll have to wait and see on that one.
As with all pictures in the worklog; remember to click the pictures for higher rez shots.
Here's the machine as it was unloaded from my truck:

Lower PF via blue window in the center of the upper PF:




Back in July; a local pinball friend (thanks Joe!) offered me a deal I couldn't refuse on a 1981 Gottlieb Black Hole Pinball Machine. So being my first restoration of a Gottlieb machine; I'm sure I'll learn a lot.
Unlike the 1979 Bally Star Trek I did last year; this GTB machine is considered "high-maintenance" and has frequent electrical issues. My goal is to return the machine to near new condition; and do most if not all of the circuit improvement suggested by Marvin's fixit site: http://www.pinrepair.com/sys80/index.htm in a effort to reduce this machine to a "it just works" machine.
This machine is a project machine which will require cleaning and releveling the Playfield inserts on both the upper and lower playfields. Many of the inserts have either fallen or risen due to heat and glue break down. Like the Bally machine; Both PFs will receive auto clearcoat to protect the playfield. The Black box will also need some door repair.
I have lots of plans for the machine as far as mods go... I think the machine will receive a set of flipper led mods since the buttons are identical to the Bally Star Trek. I'm thinking of doing something special with the pop bumpers - but you'll have to wait and see on that one.
As with all pictures in the worklog; remember to click the pictures for higher rez shots.
Here's the machine as it was unloaded from my truck:

Lower PF via blue window in the center of the upper PF:




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