Vintage Faux Alligator Skin 8-Track 24 Tape Case w/Tapes

[KevinW]

Originally Posted by RPOLS3

Can you share who does this? I have a few that I'd like to try and repair. Thanks

Here is a link with some how to's: https://8trackheaven.com/collecting/repair-2/ Repair parts can be purchased on ebay or some other sites.

Basically, you first find out if it is a foam tape or a metal spring tape by looking at the tape end. If the roller is good, replacing the felt/foam and the foil is the first fix. Other issues can be a damaged roller or the tape is so tight it won't feed. Practice on a junk tape 1st to get a feel for it I have a bunch of easy listening/country tape to scavenge rollers from.

The metal spring types you can replace the felt pads if missing and inspect the roller without opening. I have had good luck in replacing the felt pads, then playing it with auto stop. This will stop the tape at the foil, so you can replace the foil. If the foil separates, then you have to open it up.

For the foam ones, you will having to open it first, replace the foam, then try to find the foil. I have had to close them, play them auto stop to find the foil and replace.

Some brands are easy to open, some brands (lear/ampex) are a bear to open. Sometimes the clips break and you will have to "masking tape" it together during the fix/test phase. Then superglue the corners

8-tracks suffer more when not played. They last longer if played regularly. I listen to them in my basement while working on car projects.