Reel Repair by Alan Tani

Spinning Reel Rebuild Tutorials and Questions => General Spinning Reel Questions => Topic started by: cbar45ive on January 29, 2026, 06:02:59 AM

Title: Source for oil/lube ports
Post by: cbar45ive on January 29, 2026, 06:02:59 AM
Hello,

Working on double-dog 302.

Has anyone sourced a mini oil port similar to the ball-and-spring design used on vintage Penns?

Even something like those used on a Ru-mer/Pacific would work.
Title: Re: Source for oil/lube ports
Post by: oc1 on January 29, 2026, 06:47:17 AM
If you drill a hole just large enough for your fine tip oiler it will not leak back out unless it is on the lowest point of the crank case.
Title: Re: Source for oil/lube ports
Post by: jgp12000 on January 29, 2026, 12:40:28 PM
I like the rod what is it?
Title: Re: Source for oil/lube ports
Post by: Brewcrafter on January 29, 2026, 03:19:08 PM
McMaster-Carr is your friend: https://www.mcmaster.com/products/oil-ports/oil-fittings-1~/
Title: Re: Source for oil/lube ports
Post by: Gfish on January 29, 2026, 03:27:45 PM
Nice. But zinc-plated not good for Saltwater.
Title: Re: Source for oil/lube ports
Post by: cbar45ive on January 29, 2026, 09:40:55 PM
Quote from: oc1 on January 29, 2026, 06:47:17 AMIf you drill a hole just large enough for your fine tip oiler it will not leak back out unless it is on the lowest point of the crank case.

Hadn't thought of that—simple and it works.

Quote from: jgp12000 on January 29, 2026, 12:40:28 PMI like the rod what is it?

Thanks..It's a Century Slingshot 1505 I speed wrapped to use a few summers back.

Quote from: Brewcrafter on January 29, 2026, 03:19:08 PMMcMaster-Carr is your friend: https://www.mcmaster.com/products/oil-ports/oil-fittings-1~/

Will check. Probably should include zerk fittings as well in this search if they make them to size. Looking to add something ala Penn 704 at both side plates over the main gear shafts. The second anti-reverse dog is basically free-wheeling along with its own main gear/sideplate..so oil good.

Title: Re: Source for oil/lube ports
Post by: cbar45ive on January 29, 2026, 09:47:47 PM
Quote from: Gfish on January 29, 2026, 03:27:45 PMNice. But zinc-plated not good for Saltwater.

I take it you're referring to the finish Mitchell used on their reels? The old brass reel seats were definitely not a good match, metallurgically.
Title: Re: Source for oil/lube ports
Post by: oldmanjoe on January 30, 2026, 12:48:19 AM
 I believe Greg is referring to the oil ports being zinc plated .
 
 I have stripped down 3 of these reels to play with . One thing that was on the back burner was to cut one side plate for the double dog set up .   What I want to try is make a end cap for the cut off with J B weld so it would not be open to water intrusion   .  It will be a couple days before I get back to this project .
Title: Re: Source for oil/lube ports
Post by: cbar45ive on January 30, 2026, 01:10:13 AM
Quote from: oldmanjoe on January 30, 2026, 12:48:19 AMI believe Greg is referring to the oil ports being zinc plated .
 
 I have stripped down 3 of these reels to play with . One thing that was on the back burner was to cut one side plate for the double dog set up .   What I want to try is make a end cap for the cut off with J B weld so it would not be open to water intrusion   .  It will be a couple days before I get back to this project .

Yep..I was looking at cutting a cap for the end, too. Currently just has a rubber vacuum cap that suffices.

Like how much more solid and stable it is now when cranking—-pinion gear supported on both sides w/double mains.
Title: Re: Source for oil/lube ports
Post by: oldmanjoe on January 30, 2026, 01:31:50 AM
   After thinking about it the crankshaft has a oil hole in it .  And the center of the shaft has a oil wick in it after removing the crank handle .    Now I may have to re drill the holes after shorting the cut down shaft , that will keep the shaft wet with oil .   
Title: Re: Source for oil/lube ports
Post by: cbar45ive on January 30, 2026, 01:41:03 AM
Nice..looks like you might have to bore the shaft deeper to accept a wick?

My reels were missing the wicks and shafts are solid where I made the cut—leaving about 3/8" length remaining for support.

Title: Re: Source for oil/lube ports
Post by: oldmanjoe on January 30, 2026, 02:06:00 AM
 Yes deeper and cross drill , than pack with cotton or felt to hold oil .
Title: Re: Source for oil/lube ports
Post by: Gfish on February 01, 2026, 11:20:30 PM
I tried it and the double dogs were great. The "feel" with 2-main gears was that there was more strength. But, I thought about the ability switch to left-hand retrieve, so I kept the right side complete and stuck a cork in the handle hole. Looks stupid, but "function over form" for me.
This is a great idea cbar45ive.
I got a couple of MG 302's from James, with some  parts from a 402 including 2-PUM's. Now I have 3 functional reels. Thanks James and thanks for the idea cbar.
Title: Re: Source for oil/lube ports
Post by: oldmanjoe on February 02, 2026, 12:00:55 AM
If you want to do right hand crank retrieve , you are going to need a 303 gear and handle set up also .
    I was doing a little digging and found this thread with a nice touch for a cover plate
   https://alantani.com/index.php/topic,39476.0.html .
Title: Re: Source for oil/lube ports
Post by: cbar45ive on February 02, 2026, 12:06:08 AM
Greg, when I was younger an old timer fishing on the pier mentioned this could be done, but was vague on the details; guess he wanted me to figure it out myself.

The hardest part is getting the dogs timed correctly; once done you'd have a Gatling gun of a reel with 12 anti-reverse "stopping points" instead of stock six.

PS—-Just saw the earlier post by Johndixon177 shared above.  Nice work. I was thinking of a chrome plumbing cap epoxied/pinned perpendicular to the reel.