Need advice.. Penn 4/0 HLW

[R46chevy]

I just found a US made 4/0 HLW that my dad bought years ago at least 1993ish and I would like to trick it out I was thinking tiburon topless frame, 4 to 1 gears from  black pearl, new handle and bearings/drags. Any recommendations? I need help on the bearings and drags more I am clueless on them. I was also told it has the better spool too. I understand I may be spending more than I could buy a new reel for but I like the factor that it was my dads and he bought it and never got the chance to use it.  If anybody has these parts and wants to sell them PM me.

Thanks

[Bryan Young]

Aloha Eddie,

First of all, welcome to the site.

Tiburon T4W frame =  $81 (http://www.tiburonfishingreels.com/senator.)

SS gear sleeve =  $25 from Alan Tani (when stocks are replenished)

SS Dog (pawl) = $3 each from Alan Tani, Myself, or Keta

SS 4:1 Gears = $50 from Alan (Black Pearl)

5 CF Drag Kit = $11 (https://www.mysticparts.com/PennParts/Parts/6-113HSP.aspx)

1 CF Drag Washer (under main gear) = $2 (https://www.mysticparts.com/PennParts/Parts/6-113H.aspx)

If the bearings are good, pack with grease if trolling or open them up and lube with your lube of choice (I recommend TSI301 or TSI321)

You could double dog syncronys or alternating.  See http://alantani.com/index.php?topic=3083.0

I think that's about it for now.

Bryan

"Edited as per Moderators to correct Scott's Bait & Tackle over to their new store name Mystic Reel Parts / www.mysticparts.com"

[R46chevy]

What is the max drag you can achieve with any sort of upgrade? if the answer is not much better than stock I am still ok with that. I was also kicking the idea around with an engineer buddy Has anyone tried to make a lever that works with them instead of the star drag. I somewhat understand how hard this could be but just asking?

[Bryan Young]

Probably the true question is how much drag do you need?

The one piece frame will help the reel from twisting from higher drag ranges.

The SS gear sleeve will help at higher drag ranges, the handle will not become wobly or slip.

The SS dogs will not wear as quickly as the brass ones.

The SS gears will not round off or strip at higher drag ranges.

CF Drags - the kit is standard in all newer reels penn reels.  They are smoother running than that rubber abestos drag washers.  Smoother drags leads to less thrown hooks or line breakage during the fish fight.

You could get up to 20-25# of smooth drag with this set up without worrying.

If you just do the drags, which is the most important upgrade, will give you 18# of smooth drag.  I'd be a little worried going above this about the frame tweeking and twisting above 18#.

Just my opinion.

[Ron Jones]

18# is also a lot for a brass sleeve. This reel has the capacity to use heavy drag and that means a stainless gear sleeve is a must. Twisting off a handle with a 40# ling cod several hundred feet below you attached to your line sucks.

Ron