02-08-2026, 07:46 PM
(02-08-2026, 05:42 PM)Danndad Wrote: Sorry for the delay, I've only just seen the reply.
I think its Japanese and from the 70s. Its playing slow and is chewing and snapping tapes.
Likely needs a new belt and the motor adjusted.
An 8 track is 1/4 loop that has to slide on itself over the entire length, so the base usually has graphite rods and the tape is lubricated with graphite. Unlike cassette tape, it's usually the cartridge that fails with age. The capstan drives the entire bulk of the tape. Graphite lock lubricant might help the cartridge, but I've not tried it.
The head moves up and down when the foil hits. That can go out of alignment. They are very simple machines. I forget if the spool is driven as it's about 25 years since I've seen one.
They only had any popularity because one or two USA makers fitted them as standard for a few years. The earlier design of cassette was initially noisier (doesn't matter in a car!) and poorer frequency response, but soon overtook Lear Jet Audio carts in quality. Same track width and very much less tape stress.
On all tape machines the capstan and especially the rubber pressure roller must be clean or tape can wrap around there.
