Drag washer(s) question

[Rocket]

Other than taking an Ambassador apart, is there a way to tell if I has 1 drag washer or 3, such as model # and/or foot #?

[Ken_D]

Other than taking an Ambassador apart, is there a way to tell if I has 1 drag washer or 3, such as model # and/or foot #?

Hello. What's the numbers on the reel foot underneath. Is yours a flattie or a palming reel.  Flattie to mean 2 cast caps, one on each of the flat side plates.

If your reel is a palmer, the number on the frame will tell you about the gearset. If your axle is solid, with ball bearings in the side plate pockets, the gearset
will be 2 washers. Then, the transition reel about 1989 will have the ultracast spool, and 2 washers, just before they went the 3-pack.

Goto Nutter's collection, and start opening drawings till you see for yourself when this occurred.  http://www.nutterrodandreel.com/ProductData.cfm?id=Abu Garcia   Nutter's collection is nearly chronological.  I'd start about 1988 or the "old" section, and go up in years from there, till you spot the time-point they switched gears.

http://tinyurl.com/4juru6w

[Rocket]

Most of the foot #'s are 89 and later with 3 reels round side and 1 flat side. Your info and link helped me out a lot in getting together some of my 3 drag "Frankenreels". Hopefully I can post some pics when they're done.

89 = transition year...good to know  

Thanks!!!