Part 10: 1978 Interflip Alaska 4 Player EM. Alaska is Alive!!!!

TL;DR

Pinball Shenanigans restores and powers on 1978 Interflip Alaska EM machine successfully.

Summary

Key Claims

• The motor in Alaska was seized and required disassembly and brake cleaner cleaning to restore function

  high confidence · Mike Dus and Corey Cook, shown disassembling the motor and cleaning solidified grease

• Alaska uses a different soundboard than Dragon, lacking the dual-sound capability (tones only, no creature sounds)

  high confidence · Corey Cook comparing Alaska soundboard to Dragon during restoration

• Interflip machines have a hi-tap voltage selector on the transformer allowing adjustment from 100V to 120V

  high confidence · Corey Cook explaining the voltage adjustment feature and its effects on game play strength

• The machine initially had the voltage set too high, causing overly strong flippers and aggressive gameplay

  high confidence · Hosts adjusted transformer from 100V to 120V setting to reduce game strength

• Alaska has excessive tilt sensitivity that required a tissue wedge adjustment to prevent unwanted tilts

  high confidence · Multiple tilts occurring during initial gameplay, resolved by adjustment

Notable Quotes

• “Oh my god, it's alive.”

  Mike Dus @ Early in power-on sequence — Celebratory moment when Alaska first shows signs of functionality after years of restoration

• “This motor is not interested in turning at all.”

  Mike Dus @ During motor diagnosis — Identifying the primary mechanical failure preventing operation

• “I was kind of worried about going through all this trouble to make it all pretty and then have it just never work.”

  Mike Dus @ During motor repair discussion — Expresses the restoration concern—cosmetic restoration without mechanical function

• “I imagine it's uh some 50-year-old solidified grease.”

  Mike Dus @ Opening motor for inspection — Diagnosis of the mechanical failure cause

• “That's the only thing I kept from that machine. Oh, actually that's not true. I kept this ashtray.”

  Corey Cook @ During parts cleanup discussion — Casual aside about a Led Zeppelin machine in his collection

• “I cannot believe it is working.”

  Mike Dus @ Multiple points during gameplay testing — Expresses amazement at the level of functionality achieved despite being early in restoration

• “Holy hell. Is this English?”

  Mike Dus @ Examining the playfield during gameplay — Commenting on the Interflip machine's non-English origin and design

• “way more functional than I thought it was ever going to be uh on day one.”

  Mike Dus @ End of episode summary — Assessment of successful restoration progress and exceeding expectations

Entities

Signals

• ?

  restoration_signal: Detailed documentation of EM motor cleaning procedure using brake cleaner on seized/solidified grease, including disassembly, parts inspection, and careful reassembly with attention to washers and spring retention

  high · Extended motor surgery sequence showing step-by-step cleaning and reassembly process

• ?

  restoration_signal: Systematic approach to EM machine power-up: initial power test, motor function diagnosis, switch adjustment verification, gameplay testing for functional systems, and iterative adjustment

  high · Sequential testing of motor, switches, flippers, bumpers, kickers, drop targets, scoring, and sound

• ?

  gameplay_signal: High voltage setting (100V vs 120V) causes overly aggressive flipper response and drop target sensitivity, requiring transformer adjustment to achieve balanced gameplay

  high · Corey Cook explains hi-tap selector purpose and Mike adjusts voltage downward, immediately noting softer flipper feel

• ?

  product_concern: Alaska exhibits excessive tilt sensitivity requiring physical adjustment (tissue wedge) to prevent unwanted tilts during normal play

  high · Multiple unwanted tilts during initial gameplay test, resolved by wedge adjustment

• ?

  restoration_signal: Interflip Alaska shows crack damage in corner plastics despite thick plastic construction; repairs included Lexan washers to reinforce weak points

  high · Visual inspection showing small cracks on corners with Lexan washer repairs applied

Topics

Sentiment

neutral(0)