Sony TC-377 Parts Help - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Mrrnoname · 1st Mar 2021, 8:18 pm

Hi All,

I've come across a Sony TC-377 tape deck which is cosmetically in superb condition.

I am familiar with these decks and have serviced them before. It looks as if someone was part way through servicing the unit when it was abandoned for whatever reason. All parts are there except for the following (you guessed it)...

Motor Pulley
Rubber idler wheel that goes between the pulley and flywheel.

I've looked everywhere for these parts online but they seem to be near impossible to obtain. Nobody seems to sell reconditioned, second hand or even reproductions!

Can anyone offer any advice or help before I look in to purchasing another deck as spares (seems a waste to do that for just two parts!)

Regards,
Max.

TIMTAPE · 2nd Mar 2021, 9:31 am

Hi Max, that's a shame. The TC 366 had the same mechanicals I think, and maybe some other Sony models of that era. Maybe the TC 399. Others here will probably know.

DMcMahon · 2nd Mar 2021, 4:14 pm

Very similar on the TC-399.

The motor pulley is the same base number 3-518-067, there are 7 fine speed variants of this for 50Hz and another 7 different part number variants for 60Hz.

On the 399 the pulley sits on top of a Table Ass'y, motor pulley holding X-3472-029-0 but I cannot easily see this part in the 377 manual.

The 399 manual says to test speed using a test tape and then fit appropriate motor pulley to get correct playback frequency ! cannot see this test in the 377 manual.

The idler (assuming it is Idler B, driving) has same number 3-472-152-0 but there is a slight difference in Idler Tire part number 3-472-155-0 for the 399 and 3-472-155-01 for the 377.

David

ms660 · 2nd Mar 2021, 5:12 pm

So far as I can make out the capstan idler is the same part number for the TC-266, TC-366, TC-377, TC-399.

The motor pulley is the same part number for the TC-266, TC-366 but that part number is different to the part number for the pulley for the TC-377, TC-399, the part number for the pulley for the TC-377, TC-399 are the same.

Part of the adjustments for the TC-377 are missing in the online manuals I've seen because the relevant pages are missing.

Lawrence.

DMcMahon · 2nd Mar 2021, 7:27 pm

The idler that drives the flywheel has slightly different numbers, X-3472-033-0 for the 399 and X-34720-33-0 for the 377, same numbers but slightly diferent format so probably actually the same.

The previous "Idler B, driving" 3-472-152-0, I referenced drives the Supply table in Rewind.

David

ms660 · 2nd Mar 2021, 7:41 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by DMcMahon

The idler that drives the flywheel has slightly different numbers, X-3472-033-0 for the 399 and X-34720-33-0 for the 377, same numbers but slightly diferent format so probably actually the same.

The previous "Idler B, driving" 3-472-152-0, I referenced drives the Supply table in Rewind.

David

It will mean the same for the flywheel idler, Sony also used to change some part numbers that were listed in the original manuals, we were sometimes notified with amendment sheets to the manuals or when ordered with the original number a note would come with the part ordered to the effect of "now superseded by part no: **************** and we would update the number in our spares department card ordering system and manuals if there wasn't already an update sheet for them.

Lawrence.

Mrrnoname · 2nd Mar 2021, 9:34 pm

Hi all,

Thanks for this, I will continue the search. Interesting regarding the different variations of the motor pulley.

Regards,
Max.

DMcMahon · 2nd Mar 2021, 10:12 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by DMcMahon

On the 399 the pulley sits on top of a Table Ass'y, motor pulley holding X-3472-029-0 but I cannot easily see this part in the 377 manual.

David

I can now see the "Table Ass'y, motor pulley holding X-3472-029-0" in the 377 manual, it shows it sitting directly on top of the motor.

DMcMahon · 2nd Mar 2021, 10:28 pm

Max for a small fee I could sell you the motor pulley (50Hz / 0 standard speed version) mounted to its holder (with securing grub screws) and the relevant idler wheel that drives the flywheel (just removed from one of my TC-399's).

I will send you a PM.

David

DMcMahon · 2nd Mar 2021, 11:03 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by ms660

Part of the adjustments for the TC-377 are missing in the online manuals I've seen because the relevant pages are missing.

Lawrence.

Found a complete 377 Service manual (the AEP/USA only Models version) where the Speed adjustment procedure is on page 15. It is very good quality with some coloured drawings and good photos.

David

ms660 · 3rd Mar 2021, 10:19 am

The missing pages are on here anyways:

https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...ad.php?t=74712

The speed adjustment procedure is the same for all the models that's been mentioned, all use Sony test tape SPC-47 for the reference frequency.

Lawrence.

DMcMahon · 3rd Mar 2021, 1:22 pm

Thought I had originally downloaded it from sportsbil.com (see that manuals no longer appear to be downloadable from this site) but now realise it came from hifiengine.com

Have emailed the full Service manual to Max.

David

ms660 · 3rd Mar 2021, 1:30 pm

Sportsbil has only recently gone down, I checked the Sony TC-377 manual on there the other day, same pages missing, hope that site comes back, was good for Tandberg stuff.

Lawrence.

Mrrnoname · 3rd Mar 2021, 4:43 pm

Thanks David, got the manual. It's significantly better than the copy I had previously so I really appreciate it.

Excited to receive the parts in the post. I've been looking for them for what seems like an age.

Max.

Linnovice · 10th Mar 2021, 8:23 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrrnoname

Hi All,

I've come across a Sony TC-377 tape deck which is cosmetically in superb condition.

I am familiar with these decks and have serviced them before. It looks as if someone was part way through servicing the unit when it was abandoned for whatever reason. All parts are there except for the following (you guessed it)...

Motor Pulley
Rubber idler wheel that goes between the pulley and flywheel.

I've looked everywhere for these parts online but they seem to be near impossible to obtain. Nobody seems to sell reconditioned, second hand or even reproductions!

Can anyone offer any advice or help before I look in to purchasing another deck as spares (seems a waste to do that for just two parts!)

Regards,
Max.

Hi Max, I have a complete machine in pieces I’d be willing to part with. I started to dismantle with the intention of refurbishing but a few Revoxs got in the way

. It all worked fine but, in truth, was a bit smelly. It had spent most of its life playing background music in an Indian restaraunt!
PM me, I’m sure we can come to an arrangement.
Mike

1st Mar 2021, 8:18 pm	#1
Mrrnoname Triode Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Bristol, UK. Posts: 31	Sony TC-377 Parts Help Hi All, I've come across a Sony TC-377 tape deck which is cosmetically in superb condition. I am familiar with these decks and have serviced them before. It looks as if someone was part way through servicing the unit when it was abandoned for whatever reason. All parts are there except for the following (you guessed it)... Motor Pulley Rubber idler wheel that goes between the pulley and flywheel. I've looked everywhere for these parts online but they seem to be near impossible to obtain. Nobody seems to sell reconditioned, second hand or even reproductions! Can anyone offer any advice or help before I look in to purchasing another deck as spares (seems a waste to do that for just two parts!) Regards, Max.

2nd Mar 2021, 9:31 am	#2
TIMTAPE Octode Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 1,466	Re: Sony TC-377 Parts Help Hi Max, that's a shame. The TC 366 had the same mechanicals I think, and maybe some other Sony models of that era. Maybe the TC 399. Others here will probably know.

2nd Mar 2021, 4:14 pm	#3
DMcMahon Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Worthing, West Sussex, UK. Posts: 3,172	Re: Sony TC-377 Parts Help Very similar on the TC-399. The motor pulley is the same base number 3-518-067, there are 7 fine speed variants of this for 50Hz and another 7 different part number variants for 60Hz. On the 399 the pulley sits on top of a Table Ass'y, motor pulley holding X-3472-029-0 but I cannot easily see this part in the 377 manual. The 399 manual says to test speed using a test tape and then fit appropriate motor pulley to get correct playback frequency ! cannot see this test in the 377 manual. The idler (assuming it is Idler B, driving) has same number 3-472-152-0 but there is a slight difference in Idler Tire part number 3-472-155-0 for the 399 and 3-472-155-01 for the 377. David

2nd Mar 2021, 5:12 pm	#4
ms660 Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Cornwall, UK. Posts: 10,569	Re: Sony TC-377 Parts Help So far as I can make out the capstan idler is the same part number for the TC-266, TC-366, TC-377, TC-399. The motor pulley is the same part number for the TC-266, TC-366 but that part number is different to the part number for the pulley for the TC-377, TC-399, the part number for the pulley for the TC-377, TC-399 are the same. Part of the adjustments for the TC-377 are missing in the online manuals I've seen because the relevant pages are missing. Lawrence.

2nd Mar 2021, 7:27 pm	#5
DMcMahon Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Worthing, West Sussex, UK. Posts: 3,172	Re: Sony TC-377 Parts Help The idler that drives the flywheel has slightly different numbers, X-3472-033-0 for the 399 and X-34720-33-0 for the 377, same numbers but slightly diferent format so probably actually the same. The previous "Idler B, driving" 3-472-152-0, I referenced drives the Supply table in Rewind. David

2nd Mar 2021, 9:34 pm	#7
Mrrnoname Triode Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Bristol, UK. Posts: 31	Re: Sony TC-377 Parts Help Hi all, Thanks for this, I will continue the search. Interesting regarding the different variations of the motor pulley. Regards, Max.

2nd Mar 2021, 10:28 pm	#9
DMcMahon Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Worthing, West Sussex, UK. Posts: 3,172	Re: Sony TC-377 Parts Help Max for a small fee I could sell you the motor pulley (50Hz / 0 standard speed version) mounted to its holder (with securing grub screws) and the relevant idler wheel that drives the flywheel (just removed from one of my TC-399's). I will send you a PM. David Attached Thumbnails

3rd Mar 2021, 10:19 am	#11
ms660 Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Cornwall, UK. Posts: 10,569	Re: Sony TC-377 Parts Help The missing pages are on here anyways: https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...ad.php?t=74712 The speed adjustment procedure is the same for all the models that's been mentioned, all use Sony test tape SPC-47 for the reference frequency. Lawrence.

3rd Mar 2021, 1:22 pm	#12
DMcMahon Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Worthing, West Sussex, UK. Posts: 3,172	Re: Sony TC-377 Parts Help Thought I had originally downloaded it from sportsbil.com (see that manuals no longer appear to be downloadable from this site) but now realise it came from hifiengine.com Have emailed the full Service manual to Max. David

3rd Mar 2021, 1:30 pm	#13
ms660 Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Cornwall, UK. Posts: 10,569	Re: Sony TC-377 Parts Help Sportsbil has only recently gone down, I checked the Sony TC-377 manual on there the other day, same pages missing, hope that site comes back, was good for Tandberg stuff. Lawrence.

3rd Mar 2021, 4:43 pm	#14
Mrrnoname Triode Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Bristol, UK. Posts: 31	Re: Sony TC-377 Parts Help Thanks David, got the manual. It's significantly better than the copy I had previously so I really appreciate it. Excited to receive the parts in the post. I've been looking for them for what seems like an age. Max.