Zebco Cardinal 3 spinning reel

[lifeofRiley]

I have a buddy who has gone on a buying spree and now has a bunch of Zebco cardinal 3's and Abu cardinal 33's. I've heard a lot about these reels over the reels, and have seen them in person, but never fished or taken them apart.  He wants me to clean several of them and also remove a bail like I've seen some old timers do. He does have one NIB with original schematic so I can reference that. I've done a good number of modern spinning reels, just wondering if these are difficult to tear down and clean/lube. I was thinking either shimano drag grease or Penn blue on the gears. Freshwater only reels.

[foakes]

All easy enough, and doable, LOR --

Simple, super well engineered, and very capable reels.

MIdwayTommy & ReelRepair123 are the experts on these great reels.

And they could add a few tips, if needed.

Best,

Fred

[Shark Hunter]

They are pretty simple.
Those Cardinal 3's you have are worth some coin.

[lifeofRiley]

Thanks for the picture with the sideplate off. I'm getting the reels tomorrow so I might be posting questions over the weekend when the work begins! Looks like the going rate on fleabay is around $175

[ReelFishingProblems]

I have a Abu Cardinal 4. Pretty similar. I love the internal setup. Easy to take care of, and it looks pretty neat too.

I like to fish it too, used to be my grandfather's so it feels like he's still fishing with me a little.

[Midway Tommy]

They area great, and expensive, little reels. You can use this Cardinal 4 tutorial. The process is exactly the same other than a little variation in the drag stack configuration. On the drag stack just make sure the flat side of the SS washers are positioned down against the body so they won't spin. Everything else is the same except the parts are a little smaller.   If you run into any issues or have questions don't hesitate to ask.

FYI, the black Japanese made skirted ones are almost the same but have a little different anti-reverse and oscillation gear/arm setup which makes the A/R silent.  

[Midway Tommy]

They are pretty simple.
Those Cardinal 3's you have are worth some coin.

Daron,

If that's a Cardinal 3 it has a Cardinal 4 drag knob. The ridges on the 3 drag knobs are finer and closer together like this one.

[Shark Hunter]

It is a 4 Tommy. How many different models are there?
So far, I only have a 4 and a 6.

[Midway Tommy]

It is a 4 Tommy. How many different models are there?
So far, I only have a 4 and a 6.

In the Zebcos: 3, 4, 6, 6X, 7, 7X. The Xes designate High Speed.

In the ABUs, they're the same reels as Zebco but different numbers and colors: 3, 33, 4, 4X, 44, 44 EXpress, 6, 6X, 66, 7, 7X, 77, and a few newer (limited distribution post '90s) 3s with following letters designating models & colors like CDL, E, R PB, etc. The EXpress & Xes are High Speed models. 

[Shark Hunter]

Thanks

[MeanMachine]

I have a Cardinal 4just like that. The spool blew up when reeling in a fish.  Are those spools still available?

[foakes]

Those are a little tough to find --

If you cannot find one cheaper -- I have one for $20 + $3 shipping.

3's and 4's are notorious for spools separating.

Best,

Fred

[Midway Tommy]

Those are a little tough to find --

If you cannot find one cheaper -- I have one for $20 + $3 shipping.

3's and 4's are notorious for spools separating.

Best,

Fred

I've probably popped the front off of 15 Card 4 spools over the years but I've evidently been lucky on the 3s. I've yet have a Card 3 spool break. About 4 years ago, though, I retired all of my plastic Cardinal 3 & 4 spools and replaced them all with aluminum spools. Added about half an ounce but I breath easy now when I've got a fish on.   

[MeanMachine]

Where do you get the aluminum spools?

[Shark Hunter]

Great tutorial Tommy,
Don't know how I missed this.