Reel Repair by Alan Tani

Spinning Reel Rebuild Tutorials and Questions => Penn => Topic started by: festus on March 04, 2020, 01:48:09 AM

Title: Penn 720 (no Z)
Post by: festus on March 04, 2020, 01:48:09 AM
This is my first Penn spinning reel.  It was advertised as a parts reel, bail not functional and handle very difficult to turn.  The bail problem was easily diagnosed.  The bail release arm was bent.  I was concerned that the nylon crosswind block would be broken, but after removing the cover, it was in good shape.
(https://alantani.com/gallery/32/17863_03_03_20_3_55_29.jpeg)
(https://alantani.com/gallery/32/17863_03_03_20_3_56_32.jpeg)
(https://alantani.com/gallery/32/17863_03_03_20_3_57_25.jpeg)

Pulling the crosswind connector.
(https://alantani.com/gallery/32/17863_03_03_20_3_58_06.jpeg)
(https://alantani.com/gallery/32/17863_03_03_20_3_58_37.jpeg)

This reel probably had never been serviced.  Was beginning to think I'd never get the axle removed.  Took some WD40 and swabbing but it finally came.
(https://alantani.com/gallery/32/17863_03_03_20_3_59_41.jpeg)
(https://alantani.com/gallery/32/17863_03_03_20_4_00_39.jpeg)

It takes a 3/8" socket to remove the rotor.  The bail release assembly was removed and the arm bent back to normal with two crescent wrenches.  However, l failed to get a pic.
(https://alantani.com/gallery/32/17863_03_03_20_4_06_39.jpeg)

To remove the pinion, the lock screw is removed.
(https://alantani.com/gallery/32/17863_03_03_20_4_07_43.jpeg)
(https://alantani.com/gallery/32/17863_03_03_20_4_08_15.jpeg)
(https://alantani.com/gallery/32/17863_03_03_20_4_08_43.jpeg)

Removing drive gear.
(https://alantani.com/gallery/32/17863_03_03_20_4_09_15.jpeg)

A look at the anti-reverse assembly and housing bushing.
(https://alantani.com/gallery/32/17863_03_03_20_4_09_46.jpeg)
(https://alantani.com/gallery/32/17863_03_03_20_4_42_37.jpeg)

Removing housing bushing.
(https://alantani.com/gallery/32/17863_03_03_20_4_43_11.jpeg)

A look at the pinion bearing and thrust washer.
(https://alantani.com/gallery/32/17863_03_03_20_4_43_49.jpeg)

A 1/4" socket removes the bail nut.
(https://alantani.com/gallery/32/17863_03_03_20_4_44_30.jpeg)

All bail components were removed and cleaned. lt's obvious the release arm is bent.
(https://alantani.com/gallery/32/17863_03_03_20_4_45_09.jpeg)

Entire reel was taken apart and cleaned with the exception of the a/r eccentric and lever.  Note the drag washers are made from teflon.
(https://alantani.com/gallery/32/17863_03_03_20_4_46_03.jpeg)

Reassembing the bail arm, screw, and spring.
(https://alantani.com/gallery/32/17863_03_03_20_4_46_46.jpeg)

Drive gear and everything underneath back in place.
(https://alantani.com/gallery/32/17863_03_03_20_4_47_24.jpeg)

The bottom section of the handle screwed back into gear to keep assembly intact.
(https://alantani.com/gallery/32/17863_03_03_20_4_47_56.jpeg)

Pinion assembly back into place.
(https://alantani.com/gallery/32/17863_03_03_20_4_48_32.jpeg)
(https://alantani.com/gallery/32/17863_03_03_20_4_49_09.jpeg)

Rotor and bail assembly back into place.
(https://alantani.com/gallery/32/17863_03_03_20_4_49_43.jpeg)

Reinserting crosswind block.
(https://alantani.com/gallery/32/17863_03_03_20_4_50_58.jpeg)

Axle fastened securely to crosswind block.  Housing bushing will be pushed back into hole.  The housing plate screw also acts a lock for the housing bushing.
(https://alantani.com/gallery/32/17863_03_03_20_4_51_33.jpeg)

I've bid on numerous Penn spinners in the past while failing to win many auctions.  I'm still surprised at the prices these smaller reels fetch.  Took a gamble buying this as a parts reel, but it worked out well.  Penn spinners are rare around these Tennessee mountains, at least these oldies.  Never seen one until this one arrived.  But I remember seeing these advertised in outdoor magazines in the early 1970s.  Nice reels, but cost double or triple a reel of equal quality without the Penn name.
(https://alantani.com/gallery/32/17863_03_03_20_4_52_04.jpeg)
(https://alantani.com/gallery/32/17863_03_03_20_4_52_43.jpeg)
(https://alantani.com/gallery/32/17863_03_03_20_4_53_32.jpeg)














Title: Re: Penn 720 (no Z)
Post by: Crow on March 04, 2020, 02:44:26 AM
Thanks for the look inside, Festus !
Title: Re: Penn 720 (no Z)
Post by: Midway Tommy on March 04, 2020, 06:44:18 AM
Looks like you got a pretty nice one there, Chester!  8)
Title: Re: Penn 720 (no Z)
Post by: mo65 on March 04, 2020, 11:01:19 AM
   Great buy Chester! My 720 is hands down my favorite crappie fishing reel. You're right...they do fetch big prices...and parts are starting to become obsolete. When Penn reintroduced the 704 and 706 they should have included the 720!  8)
Title: Re: Penn 720 (no Z)
Post by: ReelFishingProblems on March 04, 2020, 11:05:19 AM
That is a beautiful reel, in great shape. It looks like it is the perfect parts reel. All the parts are there and they work!

Nick
Title: Re: Penn 720 (no Z)
Post by: happyhooker on March 06, 2020, 02:17:32 AM
Another one saved.

Frank
Title: Re: Penn 720 (no Z)
Post by: Jenx on June 27, 2020, 09:46:44 PM
These are great reels. I use this reel more than any other reel I own. Mainly because I like to pointlessly stand in the middle of the waves while surf fishing here in socal, and it's the only reel I have used so far that could hold up to that abuse.

I accidentally dropped it in the sand last weekend. I just dunked it in the ocean to clean it off, and continued to fish it the rest of that morning and the next with no problems. Even with a hose down between days a modern reel would have froze up if I did that to it.

I read somewhere that this is the only reel of that series that has a bashing instead of a bearing. Anyone know if that is true?
Title: Re: Penn 720 (no Z)
Post by: 1badf350 on June 27, 2020, 11:10:54 PM
Wow thats like an Alan Tani write up. Great job and super nice real! The
Title: Re: Penn 720 (no Z)
Post by: nelz on June 28, 2020, 03:39:20 AM
She's a beauty! I had one many moons ago, don't remember what became of it, but it was a great little reel.
Title: Re: Penn 720 (no Z)
Post by: Benni3 on June 28, 2020, 05:58:55 AM
I have tried to buy them with no luck,,,,,,  ??? but that's ok,,,,,, :D it looks like a fantastic reel for trout,,, :o but i very much like your break down on the reel,,,, :) keep up the great work my friend,,,,,,, ;D
Title: Re: Penn 720 (no Z)
Post by: ReelFishingProblems on August 23, 2020, 11:56:17 PM
Question about getting repair parts.
I tried getting a new rotor cup for my wife's original blue 720. The part that came in was more of a teal color like the 722 I have. Some sellers have a letter code to go along with parts. Is there something that tells what the different codes are?

Example
27-720 #D vs 27-720 #E

Thanks