Trying to get the side plate off and I have tried every phillips head I have got. Is there a special phillips head for this particular reel. Don't want to strip the head out.
Not that I know of. I have a set of properly ground good quality screw driver heads and they fit good and snug. If you don't have a set I would consider investing in one. They can be in there tight if corroded.
Cheers:
Todd
Sounds like you might need to buy a set of some Japanese JIS phillips head screwdrivers.