Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: R3 with different mounting holes

This is topic R3 with different mounting holes in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Jack Ondracek (Member # 1466) on 03-03-2003, 10:40 AM:

OK... I feel real dumb now.

We pulled a 1947 vintage Century C & R3 from a booth that we automated (the other set is still running like new).

In the process, we had a reverse scanner & a new motor installed on the soundhead ($$$), then put the whole thing in the back room. It's been there for the last few years, awaiting what we intended to be an eventual move to the owner's drive-in, where an old Motiograph SH7500 is driving a DA.

We've had 4 people handle this thing, and it was only last week that we discovered that the old "C" only had two mounting holes on it (back in the gear compartment). Unfortunately, so does this soundhead... and those holes don't match up with anything "SA".

What shortsighted manufacturers! [Razz]

(actually... we all feel kinda dumb around here) [Roll Eyes]

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 03-03-2003, 02:36 PM:

Jack,
I have seen Westrex equivelents of R-3's with only two mounting holes for the projectors in them. This is not unlike the mounting holes in older RCA sound reproducers. You use two bolts up from underneath and into the bottom of the projector head to secure it.

If this is not the case its still no big deal....but its time for some accurate measurements to be done of an R-3 with the hole pattern you need and then transfer it over to that odd R-3. Drill and tap and then you're in buisness....be sure to use TapMatic for Alumnium to get factory clean threads in that metal.
Mark @ CLACO

Posted by Dick Prather (Member # 1136) on 03-04-2003, 02:53 AM:

Jack,
The Century C moumting is the same as all the rest of the American machines. Bolts mount up through the underside of the top plate of the soundhead to threaded holes in the projector on the gear side. If memory serves they are 3/8-16 thread.

Century also used a 4 bolt system mounting from the top of the projector into some Century soundheads but not all. Usually on direct drive models. You should be able to mount almost all American picture heads to you Century soundhead then install the proper drive kit to make it work fine. Remember your older soundhead uses bushings not ball bearings on the sprocket shaft so extra oil points will be there.
Dick