Jenning Chief Help

[WoodrailFanatic]

Guys,

I am working on a Jennings Chiefs mechanism out of a '40s Chief console slot.

Got it all functional with one exception......when I cycle it (out of the console) the reels spin fine sometimes and other times they don't. I have traced this back to the fact that when the malfunction occurs the reel timing lever snaps back immediately at the beginning of the unwind cycle.

1) Am I correct to assume that this indicates a bad clock? The only thing that makes me think there may be another cause is that when I windup the clock up by hand it always unwinds smoothly and cleanly.

2) Is there anything else I need to look at other than the clock?

3) If it is the clock is there a way to resolve it short of replacing it or replacing gears?

Thanks for your help!