The PHILCO Phorum
Please Help! - Printable Version

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Please Help! - PhilcoJohn - 07-17-2025

Hello everyone..  I would like to ask for some help. Three of my Zenith consoles in the last month or so the dial belts have broken and I can not use the radios. I live in Poughkeepsie N.Y. Does anyone know of anyone who would be able to do this fix for me? I am recovering from a stoke so my hands are not 100% yet. I really do not know if I could fix them even if I get back to 100%. Hope to hear from you guys soon. Take care and be well.... Icon_wave

RE: Please Help! - GarySP - 07-17-2025

Hello John. Sorry to hear about your condition. I hope you're much better soon.
A very large club not too far from you is the Delaware Valley Historical Radio Club. They have members all through the Northeast, and may be able to help you find some local help. Good luck! Take care, - Gary
https://www.dvhrc.com/

RE: Please Help! - Arran - 07-17-2025

John;
 You have my sympathies, my father is recovering from a stroke he suffered last year. With regard to dial belts I can't really understand why some makes and models used them, whilst others did not. I have two sets that use them, one a Sparton, and the other a Stromberg Carlson, and honestly I prefer dial cords, like bias cells they seem like the answer to a question that nobody asked. I've been wondering if one could use generic drive belts from something else in their place as I also have two sets with a motor driven dial that used a belt of some type, oddly enough the manual dial drive was made with a bronze cable rather then with the belt, but I digress. I think that Gary's suggestion is the best answer, there are enough Brand Z enthusiasts that could probably swap out the dial belt in under 1/2 an hour.
Regards
Arran

RE: Please Help! - morzh - 07-18-2025

Who bought the businees that was making the belts?
Forgot...it was Adamsradio originally?

RE: Please Help! - Paul Philco322 - 07-18-2025

It was and I am pretty sure that he sold his biz. I don't know if it kept same name. Paul

RE: Please Help! - PhilcoJohn - 07-18-2025

Hi again guys thanks for replying. I would of hoped there would be some where closer to me . If anyone hears of anything or any one please let me know I would appreciate it. I will keep trying to investigate. Thanks everyone.

RE: Please Help! - GarySP - 07-18-2025

One more place to try is the Antique Wireless Association, located in Bloomfield, NY.

https://www.antiquewireless.org/homepage/

Good luck! Take care, - Gary

RE: Please Help! - Paul Philco322 - 07-18-2025

Try the New Jersey Antique Radio Club. NJARC. Email Rich Lee. Tell him you know me from the Philco Phorum. My full name is Paul Buresh. Let him know I suggested he may be able to help. He can put out a message on their Reflector group and see if anyone can assist. They have many members in NJ/NY area. He is a good radio guy. Paul.

RE: Please Help! - GarySP - 07-18-2025

I have never had or seen a Z with belt drives. Are modern-day belts, or possibly O-rings of proper length and diameter possible replacements? Please educate this old man! Take care, - Gary

RE: Please Help! - MrFixr55 - 07-18-2025

.I have the chassis from a 6S52 that uses a belt, or more likely a spring. See the following Video on replacing the belt on a 9S262.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LinyKNnxCcg

Apparently Renovated Radios sells belts that you cut at an angle and glue. This saves disassembly but it doesn't sound that permanent. Adams Radio (adamsradio.com) sells what looks like O Rings.

RE: Please Help! - morzh - 07-19-2025

Adams sold and the new owner was discussed here at some point several years ago.
We might've kept it under the "Resources".

RE: Please Help! - Eliot Ness - 07-22-2025

A guy bought Adams inventory and machinery to keep making the belts under the name Quality Dial Belts, but his website seems to be inactive. Those belts, while initially good, would develop a memory if left in the same position for a long time.

A while back I found a guy on eBay selling square rubber belts without that issue. I ordered several Zenith belts from him but I don't remember who he was.

A third alternative is bulk dial belt material you cut to length and then super glue it together. Mark Oppat sells those belts if you check his website.

For the most part those belts aren't hard to replace if you're close enough to someone who can help. Unfortunately I'm in KY, hopefully you'll find someone to help out.