Jvariance conversion...

Board4life · April 01, 2011, 06:48:16 PM

I am in the process of doing the narrow Jvariance conversion on my Penn 113h and have a couple questions for anyone who has done them before. (actually same question for two different parts.)

Is it normal for the clicker button and the eccentric lever to feel loose and kinda out of place? The clicker actually raises up on one side when I engage it and is slightly scratching the sideplate finish. And the eccentric lever is fine when in gear but appears very loose when out of gear. Are there some easy fixes for this or is it just the way the Jvariance side plates work?

Thanks

Alto Mare · April 01, 2011, 07:33:03 PM

I have done a few and never had that problem. Did you install the teflon washers that came with the kit to protect the plates on the clicker and the eccentric lever? In case you didn't the clicker washer might give you a tough time, in most cases you will need to file it down a bit, unless you can get a thinner one. I use a flat file and it works great, if you don't have a file a sheet of sand paper will do. Any more questions, just ask. Sal

alantani · April 05, 2011, 11:55:14 PM

thanks for the reminder. i just went to mcmaster.com and ordered sheets of teflon in 5, 10, 15 and 20 thousanths thicknesses. now i just need to find a punch set.

ReelSpeed · April 05, 2011, 11:59:45 PM

Hey Alan, Let me know what sizes you need and I will punch them out for you, gratis. Just toss the teflon sheet in the mail. I have most OD & ID Dimensions.. Unless you need thousands of them..then we might need to barter.

Alto Mare · April 06, 2011, 12:04:33 AM

Quote from: alantani on April 05, 2011, 11:55:14 PM
thanks for the reminder. i just went to mcmaster.com and ordered sheets of teflon in 5, 10, 15 and 20 thousanths thicknesses. now i just need to find a punch set.

What will you be doing with teflon Alan? I already know that you don't like teflon drags, will you be using them to protect parts?

ReelSpeed, will you be my friend?

alantani · April 06, 2011, 12:16:46 AM

every once in a while i look at a part, perhaps a freespool lever or a gear sleeve, and see way too much slop. then i start thinking that it would be really nice to have a tefon washer to take up the extra space. this one application is a perfect case in point. if we had this jvariance in hand, a few sheets of teflon, and an assortment of punches, we could take a minute to cut a shim washer and take out all the slop.

Alto Mare · April 06, 2011, 01:45:40 AM

Gotcha!

Board4life · June 01, 2011, 09:23:05 PM

Quote from: Alto Mare on April 01, 2011, 07:33:03 PM
I have done a few and never had that problem. Did you install the teflon washers that came with the kit to protect the plates on the clicker and the eccentric lever? In case you didn't the clicker washer might give you a tough time, in most cases you will need to file it down a bit, unless you can get a thinner one. I use a flat file and it works great, if you don't have a file a sheet of sand paper will do. Any more questions, just ask. Sal

Right on. It was the teflon washers. I was doing an open box conversion for a friend and he didn't include the washers.

Now for another question... I have the Newell gears I am puting in as well (along with the yolk). Is it normal for them to be a little noisy? They just don't seem to be as smooth or quiet as the stock pen gears.

Alto Mare · June 01, 2011, 09:42:54 PM

Yes, it is normal for the newell gears to be noisy. Any more questions, just ask. Sal

Board4life · June 01, 2011, 10:22:59 PM

Ok... Everything is working great. Spool not rubbing. Drag is very smooth. Handle spins with ease. I guess I just have to get use to the extra noise factor.

Thanks for the info.

Alto Mare · June 01, 2011, 10:43:57 PM

Not a problem, eventually you will get used to the noise and feel of it, I know the fishies won't mind

. How about going all the way and install a stainless steel gear sleeve on that tank?

Board4life · June 02, 2011, 10:18:56 AM

Quote from: Alto Mare on June 01, 2011, 10:43:57 PM
Not a problem, eventually you will get used to the noise and feel of it, I know the fishies won't mind . How about going all the way and install a stainless steel gear sleeve on that tank?

Is the stock gear sleeve that weak? I know Mr. Tani sugests changing them out but What are the chances the originals would round out? Oh why try to fight it... I'll end up doing it sooner than later.

Alto Mare · June 02, 2011, 11:03:24 AM

The answer is in the type of fishing that you do. That custom reel can be pushed to it's limit, the only weak part is the tip of the gear sleeve. If you fish it under 15 lb., I wouldn't worry anbout it. I have the stainless steel gear sleeve and a nice power handle in all of mine. Take care, Sal

Roger · June 02, 2011, 06:22:58 PM

Quote from: Alto Mare on June 01, 2011, 10:43:57 PM
Not a problem, eventually you will get used to the noise and feel of it, I know the fishies won't mind . How about going all the way and install a stainless steel gear sleeve on that tank?

Now, you have to post some pics........

Board4life · June 03, 2011, 06:32:42 AM

Pics? I just happen to have some.

Started with a new Penn 113h. Got it on sale for 75$ What a bargain. Jvariance narrow conversion kit came in the box on the right.

Contentes of the boxes. With the Newell gears and steal yolk. I also have the carbontex drag washers as well but forgot to include them in the pic.

Now the fun begins... I figured since Alan has everything all lined up in his tutorials, I might as well follow along. I think it worked too. First time I did a project and didn't have extra parts.

Unused parts on the left... Finished product on the right. The silver one is the one I did for myself. Notice I didn't have the Newell gears in yet. I was worried about the sound and different feel.

I was going to get one of Alan's handles but went with the bling factor instead. I think my friend will end up getting one of Alan's though.

The End