Stainless Gears and Gear Sleeve for Penn 68?

[pagzzz]

Hello all,

I inherited a Penn Longbeach 68 reel from my dad that dates back to the 50's. I'd like to spruce it up and use it for ray/shark fishing.

I know the brass gears are limited to about 7-8 lbs of drag, which is what the 3+1 drag stack can achieve, but I'd like to bump it up to a 5+1 stack and switch to stainless gearing if possible. I think I recall seeing somewhere that the 113H SS gears and gear sleeve will work in this reel. Is that correct? If not, what can I do? I saw the 113H gear kit at smoothdrags.com, and want to use that if possible.

Thanks,
Paul

[alantani]

for this one, a drag modification is easy.  put a carbontex drag under the main gear, then put five of the #6-60 drag washers inside.  you will need an extra pair of metal washers (one keyed, one slotted).  i stainless steel gear sleeve would help tremendously for this reel.  a larger handle is nice, too. the jigmaster power handle would be more reasonable, cost wise.  let me know if you need any parts.  alan

[Shark Hunter]

Welcome pagzzz.
I don't think the 113H gears will fit in your reel. Even if you could modify your reel to make them fit, I don't think the frame of the 68 can take that kind of drag. It will twist.
Take Alan's advice. SS sleeve and 5 stack.

[alantani]

oops, yes, i guess we should actually answer your question!  it really isn't possible to fit another gear in the reel.  you're pretty much stuck with the original gear set.  if the gears are smooth enough, just upgrade the drag, then consider a stainless steel gear sleeve and jigmaster power handle.  i think it would work with straight 30 or 40# mono with 7-8 pounds of drag.  

if the gears are rough, then order a new gear set, the drag set and the handle from mysticparts.com.  the only thing they will not have is the carbon fiber drag washer from smoothdrag.  i can send you one of those.  alternatively, sal has those delrin washers that go under the main gear.  that might be worth trying.  

https://www.mysticparts.com/PennParts/Penn68.aspx


"Edited as per Moderators to correct Scott's Bait & Tackle over to their new store name Mystic Reel Parts / www.mysticparts.com"

[Keta]

The 68 uses the same 98-60 gearsleeve as the 60, the 113H gearsleeve will not work.

Here's a link,

http://alantani.com/index.php?topic=157.0

                            98-60                                              98-505                                              98-155

[pagzzz]

Thanks everyone. I'll get the upgraded carbon drags, ss gear sleeve and power handle. I'm going to order new brass gear, pinion gear and a few other bits from Scotts.

[Ron Jones]

A steel gear sleeve for this reel is a dime a dozen. If you are going with a SS sleeve I'd get a steel gear for it. There isn't an upgraded frame available for this reel but you will be fine with a five stack drag fishing 40-60# mono. This spool is really big so it is a straight mono proposition.
Ron

[fIsHsTiiCkS]

I agree you can upgrade the brass gear to a Penn steel one.

[pagzzz]

I haven't seen a Penn steel one. Where did you find it? Also, wouldn't I need a stainless pinion gear too to avoid the SS gear chewing the brass pinion up?

[Bryan Young]

All of the pinions are made from Stainless as far as I know.

[fIsHsTiiCkS]

All of the pinions are made from Stainless as far as I know.

As Bryan said, your pinon should be SS already. I have a NOS main gear if you want. Just pm me.

[Newell Nut]

The older long beach reels have steel gears. No idea what year they started the switch from steel to brass.

[pagzzz]

Thanks everyone for your great advice.   

I got the replacement parts and the reel is functionally as good, or better, than new now. There is some pitting on the metal and a definite patina from being a 50 year old reel, but those marks were made from years of use by my dad, and I see them as a fingerprint of his. I look forward to pulling on some halibut and rockfish with this beauty! It was a little tricky fitting in the 5+1 drag stack, but I made it work and this reel has loads of drag now. Probably going to use it fishing 25-30lb.

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[Shark Hunter]

Great Job on that Reel Paul! I Love those Long beaches.