Looking for Penn 349 Right Side Bearing

[Marquesas14]

I received a fairly beat up Penn Mariner 349. Rust, corrosion, a broken side plate, it needs some work. I have a spare side plate and the rest of the reel just needs some TLC, but I am missing the right side bearing screw (#26-349) and have searched high and low, to no avail. Penn discontinued this part. Anyone have any ideas? Are there any parts from another reel that may fit and serve as a substitute?

[mizmo67]

Not in stock here...we got into parts after they were discontinued and have not turned any up in the NOS batches that we've bought over the years. At least, not so far.

No luck on an ebay search for it, either.

[mo65]

No luck on an ebay search for it, either.

   Same here Mo...I did a search also and came up empty handed. 349 parts are scarce as hens teeth, and it uses so many parts that are unique to it that cross referencing is tough too.
Too bad...I've been checking out specs and it looks to be a very capable reel. I'd say just keep checking eBay Marquesas, one should turn up sooner or later. Maybe even just buy another side plate to get that bearing.

[RowdyW]

Or buy a whole donor reel.

[mikeysm]

It's you lucky day. I have a right side bearing. I don't have any left side yet I'm looking. Let me know the address I will send one to you.

Mike

[Marquesas14]

Amazing!! Thank you so much!! Pm sent!

[Rancanfish]

That deserves an 'Attaboy'  Mike!

[sdlehr]

How would one recognize a 26-349 bearing if there were no part numbers on it? I have a mixture of bearings without numbers, not sure what I've got... I imagine the threads on all these models were the same, and the difference is the length and perhaps diameter of the bushing... but most diameters were the same as well, I believe.

Sid

[mikeysm]

I use my reel to see if they fit. They wont fit any other penn reel.

Mike

[mikeysm]

Marquesas14 gave me his address but not his name. I need it to send the bearing. He hasn't answered my message so I'm trying this.

[sdlehr]

Marquesas14 gave me his address but not his name. I need it to send the bearing. He hasn't answered my message so I'm trying this.

Send it to "Angling Resident"

[Marquesas14]

Thanks guys, I wasn't getting any sort of notification of people replying here so sorry for my late reply. 😊 I do have another problem however. The more research I've done with this reel, I believe it to be a 349HC. It has dual levers, one for free spool, the other to disengage the anti-reverse. You all probably know this already. The new side plate that I had lined up is for a standard 349. From what I gather, it will still work, it just won't have a second spot for the second lever. Is this correct thinking? And are there any 349HC dual lever side plates out there to buy anymore?

[sdlehr]

If you are patient a side plate will turn up on the auction site. They always do. Watch over the next few days, sometimes things that are needed here magically appear a few days later.... like there are auction fairies somewhere. Do you need the convertible reel? Will a 349H not do you just as well?

Oh, and for anyone interested, I took my 349HC down from the shelf and inspected the spool bearing. The spool axle on the 349's is wider than most other spools.

Sid

[Marquesas14]

Thanks Sid! I'll keep a lookout. Such things cannot be rushed I suppose. The standard side plate will work for my purposes, I was going for an accurate rebuild.  The more I think about it though, the thought of accidentally flipping that lever during a fight and having it turn into a knucklebuster sounds less and less appealing 😂

[mikeysm]

The 349hc side plate is a hard one to find. You can drill a 349 plate out it has a place for it. Your bearing is on its way. I am finding parts all the time and buying them up.

Mike