Zebco Cardinal 3 troubleshooting

[Spoons and Spinners]

Hi, I'm new to the board and could use some help.  I picked up a Zebco Cardinal 3 on an auction site for my son.  It is really good cosmetically after a thorough cleaning. I have two issues though...

- I can't get the side plate screw loose.  I've tried WD40 and penetrating oils to no avail.  I've also tried every screwdriver I have including an Isuzu remake of the Cardinal tool and even fatter coins. I am just starting to bugger the screw head and I'm out of ideas. 

- The bail opens and closes without issues most of the time.  Once or twice out of every ten casts the bail is a little hard to close.  If you reel backwards just a smidge, it gives you enough leverage to reel normally and close the bail.  I don't see anything catching with the spool removed and it seems to catch regardless of where the bail is oriented around the rotor.  I had to remove older grease from this reel and I assume there is still some on the internals but see above. What could be causing the bail to catch every once in a while?

I use an earlier model 3 but I'm still fairly new to these reels. Thankfully my reel has been flawless.  Any help is appreciated.

[Midway Tommy]

With regard to the side plate screw, you might want to get a thick bladed stubby screw driver with a decent handle for leverage and file the tip to fit the side plate screw slot perfectly so it doesn't bugger the head/slot. With good downward pressure lightly work the screw back and forth. Most times the tightening motion will break a stuck screw loose. If that doesn't work you could put it in the freezer for a little while and then heat it with a hair dryer and use the same back and forth motion. The expansion/contraction should break it loose.

With regards to the bail trip issue, more than likely the nylon block on the bail trip lever needs a thorough cleaning and lubrication. The block actually pivots a little so it needs to move freely. The trip stud on the body may also need a little lubrication (grease).

BTW, there is a complete ABU/Zebco Cardinal 3 tutorial in the Zebco section here: https://alantani.com/index.php/topic,28172.0.html

[foakes]

Welcome aboard, Matthew —-

Tommy is our local expert on Cardinals!

Best, Fred