If you got a new Singer in 1984 you got one of the ones with plastic parts. Get an older machine, with all metal parts -- they are rugged.
Don't let a little setback stop you from quilting!!! I bet there is another machine out there just waiting for you to adopt it. Put a "wanted" ad on Freecycle or Craigslist, sewing machines are the kind of thing that people will be happy to pass on to you.