finally, what a frea'!#% PITA

[Dr. Jekyll - AKA MeL B]

worked on my calcutta conquest 300 type j-hg (jdm) aka calcutta cte-400LJV but in the 300 size. it's a non-disengaging(shimano) or synchronized(abu garcia) levelwind reel. last year after doing some preventive maintenance, the clutch will not disengage. so after a few tries i gave up and put it aside. i was thinking maybe it's the springs in the clutch system.  last march, during my visit to LA, went to sav-on tackle but no luck. so today i gave it try again and voila fixed it. just rotated the clutch cam retainer 180 degrees and played with clutch until  it felt smooth.

BEFORE



DRILLED HOLES ON THE IDLER GEAR AND REPLACED THE PLASTIC BUSHING WITH A BEARING



AFTER



AFTER WORKING WITH THIS REEL I DON'T WANT TO REPARE WRISTWATCHES...

[Bill B]

Persistence pays off...good job....and the reward....a working reel and Heineken

[Lalo13]

Ok , stupid question time !! why drill the idler gear ??

[Bryan Young]

Do you know how much difference it made?

[Lalo13]

Ok , stupid question time !! why drill the idler gear ??
[/quote Thank you , makes a lot of sense ..................

[publius]

I hear you on the wristwatches, I'm a watchmaker too and guns & reels are simple compared to them. You don't know what work is until you have to make an obsolete 4th wheel.