8mm Forum: Belt replacement instructions for a Bell and Howell 1460 projector

This is topic Belt replacement instructions for a Bell and Howell 1460 projector in forum 8mm Forum at 8mm Forum.

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Posted by Thomas Turkington (Member # 4595) on December 27, 2014, 08:43 AM:

Hi, I am looking at digitizing some of my Dad's old 8mm films, but his old projector isn't working. The belt is very loose and slips. The projector is a Bell and Howell 1460 (Canadian model). It is similar to the Bell and Howell MX33.

Would anyone have a guide to changing the belt? I have ordered a couple of belts, but the supplier did not have any instructions.

Other suggested maintenance tips would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks
Thomas (I go by my middle name Kelly)

Posted by Jim Schrader (Member # 9) on December 27, 2014, 04:03 PM:

hello and welcome to the forum have you checked out youtube i found this video of a mx33 with its back off maybe check to see if there is a video on belts? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tx4IbmrSUyY&feature=g-like.
here is a link from a forum member who also needs belt on her units as well.
http://8mmforum.film-tech.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=007147

Posted by Thomas Turkington (Member # 4595) on December 27, 2014, 04:40 PM:

Thanks Jim. I did notice the post from Janice and have seen the video. I had the cover off and managed to find the screw in the lamp compartment. I have a couple of belts on order, but the supplier did not have any instructions. I also ordered an instruction manual for the 1460 from a supplier in Oregon. However, based on what I have seen, the manual will likely have nothing in relation to replacing the belt, but appears to focus more on general functioning of the projector.

I have sat and looked at the inner workings to see if there was an obvious way that the belt would come off, but haven't had any inspiration.

Regards,

Kelly

Posted by Janice Glesser (Member # 2758) on December 27, 2014, 05:17 PM:

Thomas...I have dismantled one of these projectors and have never figured out how to easily replace the belt. I ended up making my own belts...buy wrapping silicone cording around the pulleys and joining the ends with the flame from a lighter.

[ December 28, 2014, 09:15 AM: Message edited by: Janice Glesser ]

Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on December 27, 2014, 07:25 PM:

Ooohh Janice, just when I started to admire your work!

Posted by Janice Glesser (Member # 2758) on December 27, 2014, 09:26 PM:

[Smile]

Sorry to burst your bubble Andrew. I even bought a service manual for this projector and still could not see any easy way to remove the old belt without cutting it. Even though these projectors are made by Bell and Howell...they are not well designed. Even the Ebay guy who sells the belts doesn't know how to put the new one back on.

Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on December 28, 2014, 04:04 AM:

I'll let you off then Janice just this once ha ha ha [Wink]

Posted by Thomas Turkington (Member # 4595) on January 01, 2015, 01:46 PM:

I got to tinkering and have disassembled the drive shaft and other components. I think I have found a way to route a replacement main drive belt.

However, in the process I managed to discover that a small plastic fitting is broken. This plastic fitting is pressed between a couple of rubber discs to run the rear pickup reel directly as well as the front pickup reel via a shaft and set of gears.

I have ordered a replacement belt as well as an owners manual for the projector, i.e. a Bell and Howell 1460.

I was wondering if anyone has an idea of what the small plastic bit is called and more importantly where I can order a replacement one.

In the picture below the shaft is indicated by a white arrow. There is a plate that holds the shaft in place (indicated by the red arrow). I removed the plate as well as several pieces that connect to the rear pick up reel, the rear fan and the gear and shaft assembly that runs the front reel. The green arrows indicate the pulley and main drive belt. With this disassembled I can now insert the end of the shaft (towards the rear of the projector) through the replacement belt and slide the replacement belt along the shaft towards the front pulley (indicated by the green arrow). The shaft goes through a black plastic piece and there appears to be enough room that I can put a bit of the belt through and pull it out the other side of the black plastic bit. I also loosened the small lock nut in the pulley (green arrow) so the pulley can be shifted left so that there is more room for the belt to be pulled through the black plastic piece.

Once I get the belt and hopefully broken black plastic bit replaced I will take a series of pics and describe the process for others. Hopefully it works!!!

Thanks.

Kelly

Posted by John Jensen (Member # 4847) on May 18, 2015, 02:56 PM:

Have you made progress with the MX33 repair? I pulled apart a neighbor's MX33. The belt is OK but I see that there is a broken piece on the end of the shaft preventing coupling to the green arrow groove.

Posted by Carl Quatraro (Member # 7043) on August 26, 2019, 07:45 AM:

Dis anyone figure out how to replace the broken black plastic tip? Mine broke as well.

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