I too have the White 77. I picked it up several years ago at a garage sale. I think I paid $10 for it.The manual says it was manufactured in 1938 in Canada. I found the tension to be the strangest thing about the machine. I have never seen a tension set up like this on any other machine I have worked on or that I have. I am fortunate that all this machine needed when I got it was a good oling and lub for the motor. I am not familiar with the electrical problems you are having hopefully someone can help you with that. Sounds like wiring??