I could get a few discs and see what happens, they're well under a buck each locally.
The set won't sync at all now, it's pretty much stuck with the bar down the center, that might make it a little easier to fix!
It was acting up only now and then which is a major PITA to find.
I'd like to get this thing off the bench (i.e. kitchen table) so I can start on the monster Philco 49-1280