Resurrecting this thread because I am having the same problem with the capstan belt slipping up on the pulley and this time a new belt didn't solve the issue. Hoping either Evom, Findlay or someone else here can lend me a hand.
So, here's the problem. I put in a best offer bid on a 244 from eBay and ended up getting it. The machine looked so well taken care of I thought it would be great to get running again and keep it in my band's practice space. I got to work on changing all the old rubber and when I went to take the two screws off of the brace that holds the capstan flywheel in place the one on the right hand side stripped really bad and I was unable to remove it. I did get the other off though, so I slipped the belt underneath and gently lifted the brace up to get it past the axle that holds the wheel and got the belt on. I noticed that after a couple seconds of playing a cassette, the belt would ride up over the crown on the pulley. I had run into this issue on my old 246 once and I ended up sending the belt back and ordered another from a different source to solve the problem. This time that isn't working. After ordering another belt from a trusted source, it worked better for about 5 minutes before it did the same thing.
This whole thing has been going on over a two week period, during which I've tried a lot of different things to get it to stay centered on the pulley but so far nothing has worked. I loosened and tightened the nylon screw that holds the flywheel axle, along with the one free brace screw to see if there was an alignment issue I could work out. I figured that maybe it was off center or tilted slightly.
One thing I notice is that when I look at the placement of the belt on the pulley, I can get it centered and when I manually turn the flywheel I see that the belt instantly starts travelling up the pulley. It doesn't go all the way up and over the crown, but I hear it scraping against it. After a while it finally goes over which results in a faster tape speed. The pulley itself can be moved slightly, and when I push it gently and turn the flywheel, the belt stays centered.
I wondering if there's a solution in getting the pulley aligned or something along those lines. What's frustrating about this, is that it's n such beautiful shape and functions so well except for that one (major) thing. I'm about ready to throw in the towel here but if anyone has any ideas to help me try getting this fixed that'd be great. Seems terrible to have to get rid of this thing.
Happy holidays and all that stuff!
- the belt then seemed to stay on ok and remain stable even with the slightly loosened screws even when the 244 was turned the right way up. Tightening the brace screws screwed it up again and the belt fell off. So I repeated the procedure and left the screws just finger tight - if that. It has worked fine for over a year since. So as Evom has mentioned, maybe if you could get that sheared screw head loosened somehow - maybe cut another slot in it? - you might be able to play around more. Don't give up - you'll fix it!
Cheers,
Findlay
After Googling to get to your site, I read all of the responses. I am resurrecting my Tascam 244 to digitize tapes that I made over the years. I ordered a belt and idler wheel tires as a kit as the original tires had liquified.The pinch roller tire had softened to be the consistency of black licorice, so I found a replacement from a different source. I ended up with the same issue that you guys have…capstan belt riding up on the motor pulley flange. I heard a squeaking and saw some belt flopping. I was considering that I had the wrong belt, maybe too wide. I remembered the squeaking had appeared years ago before I had quit using his recorder.Thanks to everyone who's given their help.
I am still struggling to get it to stay on. I see what you're saying about the belt being too big and it causing problems. This is the second belt I've tried on this machine, and I trust the seller so I'm pretty confident that it's not the belt but maybe I'll return it for another in a last ditch effort. I will measure the belt tomorrow to see what it comes in at.
When I turn the machine on and put the tape in I can see that the belt is already riding up and the sides of it are rubbing on the crown of the pulley and making a noise. I've tried all sorts of different things to get it to work, and the longest it's stayed on is about 20 minutes until riding up and stopping. So disappointing.