Most old pre-war Zeniths with tuning belts are broken. Most would agree that the best approach is to replace the belt with a properly sized rubber O-ring.<P>However, I've had reasonably good luck with the "universal" rubber belting kit sold by RadioDaze. It avoids chasing down the correct-size O-ring. Plus, since the belt is spliced (with super-glue), it's unnecessary to disassemble the tuning shaft to get the belt over the end of the shaft.<P>Here are tips for using the universal belting material:<P>Cut the belt slightly long -- you can always slice a little off to make it shorter. You want just enough belt tension to keep it from slipping, but not enough to put unnecessary tension on the splice.<P>Cut the belting on a bevel to provide more surface area for the glued splice.<P>Allow plenty of time for the super-glue to cure before stretching the belt over the sheaves.<P>A bit of belt dressing (available at auto-parts stores) can increase the tuning belt's traction with minimum belt tension.<P>------------------<BR>**********<BR>Doug Criner <A HREF="http://www.enginova.com" TARGET=_blank>http://www.enginova.com</A>

One more suggestion.. Use FRESH adhesive!<P>Pete<P>------------------<BR>

Ah, yes, I put one of those on a Zenith afew years back, that's been in storgae since. Will have to make sure it's still tuning. Does super glue last?<P>------------------<BR>OZ

Here's an earlier posting in this Forum on the same topic.<BR> <A HREF="http://antiqueradios.com/forums/Forum10/HTML/000141.html" TARGET=_blank>http://antiqueradios.com/forums/Forum10/HTML/000141.html</A> <BR><P>------------------<BR>

I have another tip. Pre-stretch the belting material before you make the splice.<P>Mike<P>------------------<BR>

If I may be so bold... on my 8S463 Zenith, I used a 16 mm projector take up reel drive spring back in 1958 and it still works perfectly. I cut it to size and put it on. No rubber or leather to get hard and crack. I doesn't slip at all.<BR>Just my 2 cents worth.<BR>Denny<P><BR>------------------<BR>All who come here bring happiness... some when they enter and some when they leave ...

Denny, Now that's an interesting approach. i will have to try that on my next Zenith console. How do you connect the ends of the spring so it doesn't make a bump as it goes over the pully?<P>------------------<BR>OZ

OZ132HOME,<BR>The projector belt I used, "how do I describe this?", I cut it to fit but one end screwed into the other if that makes sense. Replacement metal projector belts are straight with one end that is designed to screw into the other. You back turn the spring belt and insert one end into the other and it screws into it. Gees it's tough to describe this typeing it out. Not meaning to brag but it's lasted 47 years for me with a whole lot of dial turning during over the years and no slipping at all. I'm sure replacement spring type projector belts are available today exactly like the one I used. I was all of 12 or 13 years old when I installed the spring belt. <BR>Denny<P>------------------<BR>All who come here bring happiness... some when they enter and some when they leave...