My first restoration: Spy Hunter Upright

DougUSMC

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Donor 2024-2025
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Hey all,
I've been here a bit, some stalking, some reading. I picked up a Spy Hunter with "some assembly required" as my first real restoration project.
Over the weekend I focused on learning as much as I could from various threads and YouTube videos. Then I went down and started laying it all out to document my starting point, all of the components I have, and what I may still need.

Here's where we are starting from, the cabinet can use some love, and the side art will need to be replaced. A new set was included and the marquee, bezel, CPO and most of it is in great starting shape.

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Very little left over on the inside.

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Laying out the guts for the first time, trying to line up with the schematics. I'm still working on my understanding, but so far it looks like I'm missing at least a power and an amp board?

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A non-original monitor was included, but it looks to be in pretty good shape.0

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A new flyback and cap kit was included.

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A full Golden Age harness kit included as well.

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Step one looks to be cleaning out everything, finishing taking stock, and seeing what is needed. Then I'll start working my way through testing all of the components to see where we stand, followed by a series of cap kits.

I know lots of the threads and YT vids are by guys on these forums, so thank in advance for all of the research and hard work that's already been done that will make it possible for me to take a run at this!
 
From a first look, you are missing:

Linear power supply board (90412). Suggest you use one of these and not a switcher. Just buy a rebuilt one.
MCR III Dual Power Amp W/MXR (do not confuse with MCR II similar board)

Other thoughts:
Looks like your board stack has the "good" replacement cables, so that's good.
Looks like there's been various work done to the existing parts. Wiring...springs look new...
 
It looks like you are missing the back half of the gas pedal assembly.

It should stick into the back of the cab.

Someone has covered the hole with a piece of plywood for some reason.

Here's a pic if what that area should look like (lower left corner as looking in from the back).

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Here you can see the basic layout of the boards:

Center: Linear power board
Top left of power board: Absolute position PCB

Right side: Dual power amp on the right and Lamp driver just to the left of it.

Left side: Cheap Squeak.

Bottom right: Main PCB stack.

Bottom center: Suitcase

Notice the hole coming through the center board, where part of the gas pedal comes through. Yours is covered with plywood.
spyhunter15.jpg
 
Here you can see the basic layout of the boards:

Center: Linear power board
Top left of power board: Absolute position PCB

Right side: Dual power amp on the right and Lamp driver just to the left of it.

Left side: Cheap Squeak.

Bottom right: Main PCB stack.

Bottom center: Suitcase

Notice the hole coming through the center board, where part of the gas pedal comes through. Yours is covered with plywood.
View attachment 789943


That's awesome, huge thanks! I've been trying to find a picture as clear and well laid out as that one! I'm working on figuring out what parts I need and that's helpful.

From that picture I can see that my interlock is different, I don't have the mounting brackets for the main PCB or the linear power board, so I'll need to grab those. I also need to compare the monitor supports to what yours shows. My gas pedal is definitely different than that one. I'll have to take a picture when I get home, but mine has a completely different pedal, held in place with a couple of brackets that normally hold the control panel in place.
 
That's awesome, huge thanks! I've been trying to find a picture as clear and well laid out as that one! I'm working on figuring out what parts I need and that's helpful.

From that picture I can see that my interlock is different, I don't have the mounting brackets for the main PCB or the linear power board, so I'll need to grab those. I also need to compare the monitor supports to what yours shows. My gas pedal is definitely different than that one. I'll have to take a picture when I get home, but mine has a completely different pedal, held in place with a couple of brackets that normally hold the control panel in place.

Just a pic I found online, not mine.

Yeah, I don't know what's up with your interlock switch...looks like yours has a massive wad of wires for some reason.

I'd look for a legit gas pedal if I were you. Yours is all wrong.

I recall people selling Spy Hunter gas pedal assemblies, I'd post up a WTB for that. Here's an old ad someone sold for $10 so you can see what it looks like: https://forums.arcade-museum.com/threads/spy-hunter-gas-pedal-10.484997/

You might ask this guy if he sold his: https://forums.arcade-museum.com/threads/spy-hunter-cockpit-gas-pedal.540020/
 
Just a pic I found online, not mine.

Yeah, I don't know what's up with your interlock switch...looks like yours has a massive wad of wires for some reason.

I'd look for a legit gas pedal if I were you. Yours is all wrong.

I recall people selling Spy Hunter gas pedal assemblies, I'd post up a WTB for that. Here's an old ad someone sold for $10 so you can see what it looks like: https://forums.arcade-museum.com/threads/spy-hunter-gas-pedal-10.484997/

You might ask this guy if he sold his: https://forums.arcade-museum.com/threads/spy-hunter-cockpit-gas-pedal.540020/

That's not even the interlock switch, which is attached to the other side of that pressboard piece on the bottom, inside the coin door! It looks like a filter or something else, I'll take a pic of it once I get it out of there.

Awesome, I just reached out to him.

Here are pics of what the interlock switch and bracket should look like: https://forums.arcade-museum.com/th...h-bracket-and-harness-from-spy-hunter.514850/

Maybe ask the boneyeard guy?

I checked out his site, but didn't see a SH on his kill list or any SH parts for sale.
 
Paradisearcadeshop.com sells the main PCB stack bracket that goes at the top of the board stack.

You're also missing the suitcase power brick which I see up for sale here from time to time. I think I just saw one a few weeks ago.
 
Paradisearcadeshop.com sells the main PCB stack bracket that goes at the top of the board stack.

You're also missing the suitcase power brick which I see up for sale here from time to time. I think I just saw one a few weeks ago.

Awesome, thanks! (Annnd, they're out of stock...)

Is it just me or are the parts all crazily spread out? Why?

I mean, don't get me wrong: I'm glad that they're even out there to get at all, something tells me I'm spoiled rotten compared to 20 year ago, but still?!?!
 
Appears to me you have the suitcase in your pile of stuff, probably OK there.

Here is the dual power board. Tested, working, reasonable price...even a $5 off coupon: https://www.ebay.com/itm/235829784611

I'm not home so I was mentally comparing my board to the one in the pic that was posted. Mine doesn't have the two large caps, so I was a little worried about compatibility?

Thanks for the lead on the amp board, I just bought one.
 
I'm not home so I was mentally comparing my board to the one in the pic that was posted. Mine doesn't have the two large caps, so I was a little worried about compatibility?
I'm not sure.

It is possible some components have just been removed from it...many people would replace the large caps anyway.

It is also possible it is not the right suitcase.

I would post some clear pics of the top and the bottom and ask people on the forum.
 
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Turns out it's the wrong one anyway.

I'm glad someone who knows more about these things was able to identify the actual difference and requirement

Did that come from a different thread?
 
Did that come from a different thread?
Yes.

 
@DougUSMC Any progress to report on your Spy Hunter restoration?

Hey, welcome to the boards.

I still have the SH, but haven't really done much on it. I had a 720 take a nasty tumble, so that ended up being my first resto. After that I found a SH, so this one became the backup, which is just code for "sitting in the storage locker untouched".

I've been picking up parts here and there, but haven't been in a rush to work on it because I still have one or two more to pick up.
 
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