I'm in the process of rebuilding an RCA 1YB11 tape cartridge recorder. My understanding is these things are fairly uncommon, so I'm trying to make sure everything is as restored as possible. The old belt had melted, so I tore down the drive train, soaked it in apple cider vinegar to break up the residue, and reassembled.

While I was putting it back together, I pushed an E clip too high onto the shaft and it snapped. I tried buying one of those variety boxes from Amazon, but none of them seem to fit. I assume they're all metric, and I nee SAE. Does anyone know the proper way to measure what size I need based on the shaft?

Second problem is the fan blade in the motor popped free when I soaked it (rust on one side of the motor cover, the core wouldn't pop free so I slid it out of the windings.) That also has an E clip, but the fan still doesn't hold steady. Should I JB weld it to the spindle, or is there something I'm missing?

I can get pictures in a week or so when I'm back from the dorm, if that helps.

Sizing info (and a source of supply) here:

http://www.mcmaster.com/#retaining-rings/=zvot2o

Tip: melted rubber dissolves really well with rubbing alcohol (isopropanol) or Goof Off (stronger, but also melts plastic)....So well in fact that I saturate paper towels in it and use those to wipe the rubber gunk off tape mechs.

Sizing info (and a source of supply) here:

http://www.mcmaster.com/#retaining-rings/=zvot2o

How would I measure what ring would fit on my shaft, though?

How would I measure what ring would fit on my shaft, though?

A set of ASE standard Calipers. Like these: http://www.amazon.com/SE-784EC-Digital-Caliper-Metric/dp/B003MA08VQ

A set of ASE standard Calipers. Like these: http://www.amazon.com/SE-784EC-Digital-Caliper-Metric/dp/B003MA08VQ

Gotcha. I'll have to grab a pair.

Any thoughts on the fan blade, or will you need to see that to have an opinion? My concern is it's sliding against the windings and may start grinding them down.