Daiwa 50H rebuild thread begins here.

[dbarnett66]

If you remember from my previous posts, I managed to buy 4 Daiwa Sealine reels. Two of them are 50h's and two of them are 30H's. I had a 50h, when I was a teenager and I want to have some of that nostalgia back when the 50h provided so much reliable service during those El Nino years (mid-80's). I lost count of the number of yellow fin and skip jack that reel took in. So far, the parts total comes out to about $55 per reel. The reels will have a final cost of about $70 each. I know that some of you think that I am bat crazy, but my logic is that a new Sealine 300H is around $124. I hope to save on servicing the reels my self, so I should be ahead of the game. I guess a part of me wants to pay a small premium to relive my teenage years fishing on the overnight boats out of San Diego. Every time I pick up a 50h, the memories keep coming in.

I found a schematic for the 50H at PlanetSeaFishing.com. See link for the Sealine 50H. (I did find one error on a part number for the Click Spring. The part number is 160-7922, not 160-7921.

http://schematics.planetseafishing.com/daiwa/multiplier/daiwa-sealine.html

I saw a Craigslist ad for a bucket of Sealine Series reels, just a half mile from my house. I "cherry" picked the best four for $15 each.



These reels will most likely be the last and only reels that I will buy for my newly acquired Malibu X-Factor Kayak. If I lose a rod or two over the side, it won't break the bank. I read a discussion forum where some kayakers have lost hundreds of dollars in one outing when they lose one of their custom setups. I could not imagine a $600 setup sinking into the abyss.



After taking one of them apart and getting a consensus that the innards were in decent shape, I decided to upgrade each of the reels. I am starting with the 50h's first.

As you can see, the outside suffered the worst. All chrome will be replaced if parts are available.







The insides look like they are mostly corrosion free. I plan on cleaning the inside with old toothbrushes, Simple Green, and WD-40









I have three orders of parts coming in. The first order came 1 day after I placed it with Daiwa Corporate in Cypress, CA. (800) 736-4653 Very fast shipping. The photo below shows the parts for both reels. Double the cost and trouble! There are two left side plate rings in that bag, it just looks like there is only one. I did order stock drag washers. I know that Alan and others mentioned the Penn HT-100's. I went with stock, because I can understand the schematic. If you want to talk me out of it, I am all ears...



The other two orders are from Daiwa Corporate. I forgot to order some components on the first order. Daiwa still has the decal/badges for the 50h, including the line capacity badges. They are sending me a set of two for both of the reels. I managed to order all chrome pieces on the outside with the exception of the right side plate ring. It is attached to the right side plate and Daiwa does not stock this item anymore. They have less damage as the handle protected them from contact and some corrosion.

I noticed some differences in the clicker buttons: I don't like the stepped version on the right. I may call Daiwa to get the version on the left. If I am going to spend big bucks on a major overhaul, I figure I should get what I want, lol.



I noticed that the DRAG WASHER A (Part 375-9902) was closed out and a new washer is recommended. (Part 375-9905)



Thats all I have for now. I still need to open up the main gear assembly and clean out all of the old grease and minor corrosion. I will take some photos of the clean up and then the reassembly. Thanks for taking the time to read this post and feel free to send the suggestions. I have no clue what I am doing.....really!

[bb2fish]

I'm a newbie at reel repair and recently opened up a Daiwa 50H.  It didn't have the nameplate badge, so at first I didn't even know what I was working with to get a schematic or parts list.  The reel was slipping and not holding drag consistently when fishing (really sad when we lost a big chinook last fall).  That's when I decided to get into reel maintenance.  One of the factory drags was damaged and needed to be replaced.  Dawn at Smoothdrag helped me with identifying the reel and getting the drag washer kit - I went with carbontex fiber material, she has a limited supply of these.  I've found that taking digital pictures as you disassemble the reel is very helpful.  Also, laying the parts down on a table in exactly the orientation you remove them (then taking a photo) will help answer a lot of questions when you put things back together.  Guys on here are SO Helpful.  Post pictures and ask questions.  Have fun.  You've got a great project going.

[day0ne]

Since you already have the stock drag washers, I would probably go ahead and use them. The next time you need drag washers, I would definetly switch to greased carbontex. They will last forever. BTW, don't grease the stock washers.

[dbarnett66]

Thanks for the feedback. I will be taking my oldest son to the Anza Borrego mud caves this weekend with his boy scout troop, so I won't be able to make progress for a few days. Hopefully I can disassemble and clean sometime next week. I have fit to fit the "hobbies" in between the dad responsibilities.

Thanks again for the information.

Dan

[Norcal Pescador]

Dan -

I lived in San Diego County for about 30 years, went to the desert often, but never heard of the A-B mud caves.

Anyway, it looks like you guys are off to a good start on your Sealines. I changed the drags on my 350 and a friend's 50 to HT-100 and they work fine. My favorite source for Daiwa parts: Dave's parts & Service in Florida  http://www.fishingreelparts.com/
Just follow Alan's suggestions for service (cleaning, greasing, lubing, etc.) and you'll like the results.

Good luck!

[dbarnett66]

Dan -

I lived in San Diego County for about 30 years, went to the desert often, but never heard of the A-B mud caves.

Anyway, it looks like you guys are off to a good start on your Sealines. I changed the drags on my 350 and a friend's 50 to HT-100 and they work fine. My favorite source for Daiwa parts: Dave's parts & Service in Florida  http://www.fishingreelparts.com/
Just follow Alan's suggestions for service (cleaning, greasing, lubing, etc.) and you'll like the results.

Good luck!

http://www.anzaborrego.net/Travel/AnzaBorrego/page/Anza-Borrego-Mud-Caves-

[Keta]

We visited there in the late 50's.

[dbarnett66]

More parts came in on Saturday. There must have been a miscommunication as they only sent and billed me for 1 star drag, 1 clutch lever, and 1 clutch lever screw. I will order these parts on Monday to complete the parts ordering process for both of the 50h's. When it is all said and done, I will have about $70 in each reel which includes the $15 original cost of the reel and the $55 in parts for each reel. I know it was not necessary, but I wanted these reels to perform and look as new as possible. I still figure that they are built stronger than some of the Chinese reels made today. It is a free country and I guess I can be stupid about my money.... It will be a bummer if I lost one of these reels off my kayak, but not as bad if I lost a custom rig. That is what I keep telling myself.....

[Keta]

It is a free country and I guess I can be stupid about my money....

I put a $80.00 spool in a $35.00 reel, you aren't alone here.

[dbarnett66]

Does anyone know if the right side plate ring can come off the reel? (Handle side of the reel.) It looks like the screws have a lock nut on the thread that prohibits the screw from coming completely out. I would like to take the chrome side plate ring off and polish both sides and add grease. With the screws in the way, I won't be able to accomplish this mission.

[Norcal Pescador]

. . . . When it is all said and done, I will have about $70 in each reel which includes the $15 original cost of the reel and the $55 in parts for each reel. I know it was not necessary, but I wanted these reels to perform and look as new as possible. I still figure that they are built stronger than some of the Chinese reels made today. . . . .

That's a good investment. Solid frame, proven design, made with real metal, etc. I would do the same, plus you have the medallions and other cosmetic improvements.
The screws should come out. A c-clip maybe?
I put a Kolekar 4/0 on my 350H and a 2/0 on my friend's 50H. Is a rod leash too much trouble on a 'yak?

[dbarnett66]

. . . . When it is all said and done, I will have about $70 in each reel which includes the $15 original cost of the reel and the $55 in parts for each reel. I know it was not necessary, but I wanted these reels to perform and look as new as possible. I still figure that they are built stronger than some of the Chinese reels made today. . . . .

That's a good investment. Solid frame, proven design, made with real metal, etc. I would do the same, plus you have the medallions and other cosmetic improvements.
The screws should come out. A c-clip maybe?
I put a Kolekar 4/0 on my 350H and a 2/0 on my friend's 50H. Is a rod leash too much trouble on a 'yak?

Good points on the Rod leashes. I do intend to use them. I have heard that others have lost their reels for various reasons, so I know it is an on going concern.

[bb2fish]

I was trying to figure out how to release the right side chrome plate too -- no idea -- looks like there is a square swaged shoulder on the thumb screw shafts.  Maybe if you held on to that square with a small wrench and twisted the thumbscrews with a screwdriver  it would come apart (like a standoff shoulder screw).  I ended up just cleaning what i could access, then jamming a brush under the chrome to get it greased.  My daiwa 50H is just missing a name badge - where did you get yours?  Could I have one of your old ones if you're going to toss them?

[dbarnett66]

I was trying to figure out how to release the right side chrome plate too -- no idea -- looks like there is a square swaged shoulder on the thumb screw shafts.  Maybe if you held on to that square with a small wrench and twisted the thumbscrews with a screwdriver  it would come apart (like a standoff shoulder screw).  I ended up just cleaning what i could access, then jamming a brush under the chrome to get it greased.  My daiwa 50H is just missing a name badge - where did you get yours?  Could I have one of your old ones if you're going to toss them?

Daiwa Corporate in Cypress, CA. (800) 736-4653

They sold me the badges for .50 cents each. If you want my old ones, I will try to be gentle, but I think your best bet is going through Daiwa. There wasn't a part number. You have to specifically ask for both decals.

[bb2fish]

Thanks, I'll get some from Daiwa...with some other parts.  Good Luck making yours pretty!!  Post some photos as you go.