Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Using newer parts for older projectors

This is topic Using newer parts for older projectors in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Michael Rourke (Member # 1142) on 03-13-2003, 12:27 PM:

I am going to be restoring a Century G-1 projector with TR-5 soundhead, and saw a related post where it was mentioned that parts were hard to get. Will parts meant for a newer Century projector be all wrong for this head? It didn't have an intermittent when my brother traded for it, will a newer Century intermittent be all right, as well as new parts for the drive train? Should I leave as many old parts as possible, even the plastic pad rollers, as opposed to getting new ones?

Posted by Paul G. Thompson (Member # 655) on 03-13-2003, 12:43 PM:

Michael, I am not familiar with the "G-1" projector, but you said you did not have an intermittant movement for it. Just by virtue of that, I wonder why you want to spend tons of money to rebuild it. Chances are, all the bearings in the shutter shaft and vertical shaft are shot, right along with some gears and gate parts.

With the Century "C" and some of its knockoff's such as ORC (Cinecita), if the intermittant blows, I simply scrap the machine because it is usually not cost effective to rebuild them, unless that particular machine has some sentimental or nostalgic value.

I don't think you would spend a king's ransom locating a good used late model soundhead or projector head these days. Once in a while, I run across a good Century "C" for about 1200 bucks or so, which is what it would cost to have a movement rebuilt to factory specs.

Just my .02 worth....

Posted by Michael Rourke (Member # 1142) on 03-13-2003, 01:07 PM:

Well Paul, I certainly wouldn't spend a ton of money, I intended to replace all the bearings and gears on the drive side, almost everything else is salvageable. It just doesn't have an intermittent, which is why I asked if I could use a rebuilt intermittent from a C, SA or MSC Century head. Can anyone date the Century G-1's, are they really not worth the time to fix up?

Posted by Dick Prather (Member # 1136) on 03-13-2003, 04:17 PM:

Michael,
If memory serves the Century G was a military gunnery trainer version of the model C. It was used to train crews on machine guns use in aircraft. I think there were 3 or 4 synced together with a semi dome screen and electronic scoring.

It should use regular Century C and lots of SA parts. I remember a smaller then normal shutter housing that I didn't like and usually replaced it with a normal C type housing. There may be an extended length sprocket shaft on 1 of the sprockets but I can't remember which one.

Any 35mm Century, except their model K, intermittent should fit your machine. If it has been setting for a while expect to replace all the bearings. No need to replace gears or film path unless they are worn. Sprocket gears last a long time. Normal century manual will show the parts. My average rebuild charge for a Century is around $1000 if I don't have to rebuild an intermittent and up to $750 more if I do. Century's may be simple but they require lots of little adjustments to get them properly.

Year is probably 40's. Is it worth it. If you are doing it to resale probably not. For your self and some satisfaction of doing it why not. Have fun.

Posted by Jack Ondracek (Member # 1466) on 03-13-2003, 04:50 PM:

quote:
from Dick P:...
If memory serves the Century G was a military gunnery trainer version of the model C. It was used to train crews on machine guns use in aircraft. I think there were 3 or 4 synced together with a semi dome screen and electronic scoring.

Dick, is that the system that was used as a model for Cinerama?

Waller Gunnery Trainer

Posted by Dick Prather (Member # 1136) on 03-13-2003, 07:59 PM:

Jack,
I believe it is the same. My Memory seems to be 1 projector short as they mention using 5 projectors. You can make out the Century shutter guards in one of the pictures.

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 03-13-2003, 10:15 PM:

Well it wouldn't suprise me if the cinerama was the same basic machine since waller was also the creator of the gunnery trainer
I had several of those machines in a booth I serviced once and the focus issues were imence