Reel Repair by Alan Tani

General Maintenance Tips => General Questions and Trouble Shooting => Topic started by: Aiala on February 02, 2015, 05:17:26 PM

Title: 49L Spool question...
Post by: Aiala on February 02, 2015, 05:17:26 PM
"Roll uuuuuuuuuuuuup,
Roll up for the Mystery Spool!"

Okay, enough dating myself... ahem!  ;D

Anyway, I bought this aluminum spool to upgrade my 49L from the metal spool, but upon installation I discovered that although it seemed to fit and spun freely, when I tilted the reel to the right (handle side down) it made a rasping sound and quickly stopped revolving. Obviously something was rubbing, but darned if I can figure out what's wrong. The only clue I found was the number stamped on the spool (#109149, see pic below) which is NOT what's listed on Scott's 49L schematic (#29L-49).

Soo... calling all experts: What've I got here? (BTW, I already ordered a replacement 29L-49 spool... hope that wasn't a costly blunder.)  :P

Thank you!   :)

~A~
Title: Re: 49L Spool question...
Post by: Bryan Young on February 02, 2015, 05:35:20 PM
I wish I could help. 
Title: Re: 49L Spool question...
Post by: foakes on February 02, 2015, 05:56:28 PM
Hi Aiala --

Don't know for sure.

First thought would be an aftermarket upgrade for a 49.

Who made aluminum spools for Penn upgrades?  Newell, Tiburon, Accurate, some of the SanDiego or Southern California tackle stores? -- others?

Obviously not a Penn part.

The new part from Scotts will more than likely solve the issue.

In the meantime -- who knows about this spool?. Possibly Randy, or?

On the 49-149-349 reels, of course the 349 is the heaviest duty in terms of components, gears, etc.

However, the 49 is a much stronger reel than a 149.

49 & 149 spools will interchange -- 349s are different -- designed for deep dropping, deep trolling, sometimes wire line, etc.

Best,

Fred
Title: Re: 49L Spool question...
Post by: MarkT on February 02, 2015, 06:11:37 PM
Aftermarket spool with the right spool shaft a little short?  Maybe okay if the right bearing/bushing is shimmed?
Title: Re: 49L Spool question...
Post by: Aiala on February 02, 2015, 06:16:04 PM
Hi, Fred.

Geez, if you are stumped, I'm in trouble.  :(

BUT I just noticed this at the bottom of Scott's 49L parts list page:

"Much older reels may have a slightly different spool and pinion gear (shaft design different)
Examine your old spool if you are intending to change EITHER of these parts.
If the spool has lines like spokes radiating out from the shaft where the pinion gear sits on the spool,
then you would need to change both spool and pinion
13 13-49 PINION
29L 29L-49 SPOOL"

Do you think that's applicable to my situation?   ???

~A~

Title: Re: 49L Spool question...
Post by: Alto Mare on February 02, 2015, 06:36:39 PM
Aiala, that might be a Penn spool from earlier models. I had some old 49's and one did have an aluminum spool similar to yours, I remember being surprised seeing it on that early model. I can't double check, all I have left is an older 49 and a new one, both with metal spools.
if you've tilted the reel to the handle side, it might not be the spool, there is a good chance you need a new right side bushing, but make sure yours is tight first. Also, I see a nick on the inside of the spool lip, try  filing it down a bit.
Title: Re: 49L Spool question...
Post by: foakes on February 02, 2015, 07:01:30 PM
Hi Aiala --

Could work, but always go with the simplest solution first -- then work through the process of elimination.

If you need the pinion, after talking to Scott's on the phone, order it so they can drop it in the same box with your spool.  Then if it is not needed -- you can return it down the road for credit on your next order.

Also could be, you just need a different pinion -- obviously cheaper.

And I am not an expert -- there are many more knowledgeable folks on this Board when it comes to Penns.  Sal, Lee, Bryan, Alan, Bill in Alaska, Keith, and many more.

I just do what I do the best I can -- and trial and error is a big part of our craft.

I just muddle through with things I am familiar with -- and it is always easier when the reel is on one's bench.

Let us know how you make out with this little problem.

Best,

Fred
Title: Re: 49L Spool question...
Post by: Alto Mare on February 02, 2015, 08:09:57 PM
Not disagreeing with Fred, the man is an encyclopedia ;D. I've mentioned the bushing because that would be the cheapest and simpler way to go, they're only $6 and it's what makes sense to me. Could be other things, but I don't believe a pinion would have anything to dowith what you've explained above, but I could be wrong.
Title: Re: 49L Spool question...
Post by: Bryan Young on February 02, 2015, 08:35:04 PM
When you say raspy sound, is it the spool hitting the side plate or the pinion?  If it's the pinion, it could very well be the two tabs on the eccentric need to be bet up a little more.
Title: Re: 49L Spool question...
Post by: akfish on February 02, 2015, 08:35:36 PM
I see this all the time. The problem is with the bridge. The earlier bridge had a shallow bevel on the bottom; new ones are beveled significantly more so they miss the aluminum spool. If you don't want to spring for a new bridge, you can file down the bevel on the older bridge. It's simple to do but takes a few minutes.
Title: Re: 49L Spool question...
Post by: Alto Mare on February 02, 2015, 09:23:57 PM
Yeah, I've run in a few bridge and jacks that were butchered with a file, those might be the guys that are too cheap to spend 5-6 dollars for a new right side bushing ;D.
Title: Re: 49L Spool question...
Post by: Bryan Young on February 02, 2015, 09:27:58 PM
Sal, it's not the bushing, it's the bridge.  Come to think of it, I had to do that to several reels before.  I would grease the bridge and run the spool and where the grease rubbed is where I needed to grind down.
Title: Re: 49L Spool question...
Post by: Alto Mare on February 02, 2015, 09:29:55 PM
Yep, its the bridge caused by the bad bushing ;)
Title: Re: 49L Spool question...
Post by: Bryan Young on February 02, 2015, 09:39:04 PM
Not always.

Some spools clear the bridge without a problem.  Some, with support veins like Aiala's spool are not so lucky. 
Title: Re: 49L Spool question...
Post by: Alto Mare on February 02, 2015, 09:48:07 PM
In this case I would say there is a very good chance. You need to take everything in consideration. Aiala wanted to replace the spool, the gears were doing fine at that point, when she received the aluminum spool she experienced some rubbing  when she tilted the reel to the right. The brass spool has usually less clearance than the aluminum spool, due to its shape. Yes, it could be the tip of the bridge or the tip of the jack, but as stated above there is a good chance that it might just be the right side bushing. Don't count it out and i won't count the bridge out , but the new bushing needs to be tested first ;D.
Aiala will let us know for sure what it was at some point .;D
Title: Re: 49L Spool question...
Post by: Aiala on February 02, 2015, 10:21:30 PM
Quote from: Alto Mare on February 02, 2015, 09:48:07 PM
Aiala will let us know for sure what it was at some point. ;D

Sal, perhaps so, but at this juncture Aiala is 100% flummoxed.  :-\

Bryan, to answer your question, the raspy sound definitely sounds like the spool hitting something; it has that hollow aluminum timbre (or at least to my ear it does.) As for the bushing(s), I'm pretty certain I checked that first thing.

When the new spool gets here (I got it on eBay, not Scott's) we'll see what's what. Meantime, I do appreciate all the learned input! :)

~A~

Title: Re: 49L Spool question...
Post by: Bryan Young on February 02, 2015, 11:30:25 PM
The satisfaction of success...or agony of defeat.
Title: Re: 49L Spool question...
Post by: Alto Mare on February 03, 2015, 12:25:44 AM
Quote from: Bryan Young on February 02, 2015, 11:30:25 PM
The satisfaction of success...or agony of defeat.
:D :D either would be ok with me, I got big shoulders and can handle the load ;D.
Title: Re: 49L Spool question...
Post by: day0ne on February 03, 2015, 06:01:31 AM
Quote from: foakes on February 02, 2015, 05:56:28 PM
First thought would be an aftermarket upgrade for a 49.

Who made aluminum spools for Penn upgrades?  Newell, Tiburon, Accurate, some of the SanDiego or Southern California tackle stores? -- others?

Obviously not a Penn part.


I don't know. I've seen a lot of Penn spools with a 109 prefix stamped on them, especially jigmasters.
Title: Re: 49L Spool question...
Post by: akfish on February 03, 2015, 01:01:34 PM
I hate to keep saying the same thing, but this is common, at least in my shop where I see lots and lots of 49s (and have a half dozed rebuilt 49s for sale). The aluminum spool requires a different bridge than the older non-aluminum spools. You may also need a new right side bushing (26-60) and, if the rings are cracked on the right side plate, the side plate may be warped. But odds are the bridge/spool combination is the problem.
Title: Re: 49L Spool question...
Post by: Aiala on February 06, 2015, 05:33:31 PM
Quote from: Alto Mare on February 02, 2015, 09:48:07 PM
Aiala will let us know for sure what it was at some point .

Okay, here's the latest: I received the spool I ordered from eBay, which came in this Penn box: (http://i1381.photobucket.com/albums/ah207/ladyaialaAiala/NuSpool_zpsc786660a.jpg)

So, I opened it up and discovered that, lo and behold, it was exactly the same as the one I already had, numbers and all.  :o

Horrors!  >:(

Full of trepidation and angst, I installed it in my 49L, and it worked perfectly, spinning like a tornado! 

Just to make sure that I wasn't losing my mind, I tried the original one again and sure enough, it rasped to a halt the instant I tipped the reel to the handle side.

WTF?   ???

Well, not being a fan of insoluble mysteries, I'd like to donate the mystery spool to one of our experts (I'll pay shipping) to see if they can figure out what on earth is going on. Any takers?   :)

~A~



Title: Re: 49L Spool question...
Post by: MarkT on February 06, 2015, 06:27:55 PM
Are they the same?  Width and diameter of spool, length and diameter of arbor?  Something has be off.
Title: Re: 49L Spool question...
Post by: Aiala on February 06, 2015, 06:32:30 PM
Quote from: MarkT on February 06, 2015, 06:27:55 PM
Are they the same?  Width and diameter of spool, length and diameter of arbor?  Something has be off.

Mark, everything appears to be exactly the same... part #s as well... mirror image! That's why I am so mystified.  :-\

~A~