Penn International 20

[Marlinmate]

How does one get access to the drag plate/washer on this reel?

There are no screws to remove the cover?

[alantani]

there are three parts here - the spool, the drag pressure plate and the cover.  if you muscle it, the cover should rotate.  look carefully and you will see that the cover has three tabs.  you will leave tool marks, but a small screwdriver can be used to pry up the tabs.  sometimes a plastic wedge will work, sometimes not.  

on the first photo, i can see the tab at the 2 o'clock position. 

[alantani]

you will likely have an asbestos drag washer in this reel.  the replacement part for the entire plate is $95.  there is a possibility that you can replace just the drag washer for $30.  check out these. 

https://www.mysticparts.com/PennParts/Parts/6A-30.aspx

https://www.mysticparts.com/PennParts/Parts/117DN-70VS.aspx

[Marlinmate]

Winner winner chicken dinner.   That did the trick.  Thanks

[alantani]

what does the drag look like?

[Marlinmate]

asbestos.   Just got 3 reels in...all original Penn Internationals (butterscotch handles)....a 20, a 50 and an 80.

All have the original asbestos in them.

here's the 80

[alantani]

let your client know that this is not gonna be cheap......

https://www.mysticparts.com/PennParts/Parts/6A-30.aspx

https://www.mysticparts.com/PennParts/Parts/117DN-50.aspx

https://www.mysticparts.com/PennParts/Parts/117AN-80T.aspx

https://www.mysticparts.com/PennParts/Parts/117DN-50.aspx

double check the schematics closely.  these might not be the correct ones.   

[Marlinmate]

yeah.....old timer who want's to get "back into offshore fishing"

Can always put it back to stock/asbestos and give him the disclaimer!

[alantani]

no, it's gonna cost him fish.  the reels will never work right.