Using parts from an 800k FDD MFD-51W-03 to repair to Mac Plus internal drive?

[vorg]

Can I switch some components around to make one of these work in my Mac Plus? The left is an 800k FDD MFD-51W-03, and the right is my original drive, which I replaced the ejector gear on, before the shield popped off the read head. It tries to read the floppy for a bit, then it ejects it. I don't think the worm gear moves, or I haven't seen it move.

The left drive just continually runs the ejection motor because there is no switch. I tried putting the ejector motor and gearbox from the Mac Plus drive on the other one, but it does run at all when plugged in.

I ordered a new boot disk in case that's the issue with the original drive, but I have my doubts.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Volvo242GT]

The newer drive (one on the left) may need a different cable. Some of the earlier drives use a yellow stripe cable, which isn't pin compatible with the later drives. The later drives need the 590-0167 cable with the red stripe. That may explain why it continually ejects.

With respect to your original drive, you may need to adjust the zero track sensor to get it to read a floppy. It is held down by the phillips screw with the large washer to the right of the head in your photo. Loosen it up, then while the drive is connected (and not touching anything metal), adjust the sensor until the drive reliably reads a disk.

 

[vorg]

Thanks Volvo.

I stripped that screw..... I'll have to figure a way to get it out.

 

[Volvo242GT]

@vorg Oops... Maybe a small pair of needlenose vise grips clamped onto the head of the screw will loosen it. If you can get the red stripe cable, it might be worth trying the other drive in the Plus and see if it finally works properly. If it does, then you can take your time on fixing the original drive.

 

[retr01]

Thanks Volvo.

I stripped that screw..... I'll have to figure a way to get it out.

Man! That is no fun. It's not the rubber band or whatever technique. This is the way to do it: