Reel Repair by Alan Tani

Spinning Reel Rebuild Tutorials and Questions => Zebco => Topic started by: Paul Roberts on September 25, 2021, 10:02:00 PM

Title: Cardinal 7: Spanking New?
Post by: Paul Roberts on September 25, 2021, 10:02:00 PM
Recently picked up a Cardinal 7 on ebay. It was well-used but in VG functioning condition. Cosmetically not bad, but not great either. AOK, it will be put back to work fishing.

While the reel was still in the mail, I found another one in an antique store. It had line on it but shows no signs of use. It looks essentially new outside and in, with one layer of translucent brown grease. I may have been the first to put a screwdriver to it.
Title: Re: Cardinal 7: Spanking New?
Post by: Gfish on September 25, 2021, 10:34:58 PM
Nice! An antique store, great find!
Try not'n put too much line-wind-pressure on the plastic spool(it is plastic, right?). Also the oscillating arm attachment to the spool shaft is non-metal(nylon?) and can break/crack under conditions of some kinda high stress—don't know exactly how.
I have a nice 6 I traded for, from Hardyboy(Todd), and it has those same parts, so far, so good. Lately I've been dropping 2oz., 50 - 200 ft. down, but haven't pulled-up more than about 3 lbs. of fish.
Really love the design features on these, especially the nice tight tolerances, like the side-plate fit.
Title: Re: Cardinal 7: Spanking New?
Post by: foakes on September 25, 2021, 10:43:29 PM
The 6's & 7's have metal spools, Greg —

The 3's & 4's are plastic — unless after-market upgraded aluminum spools.

That is a great looking, unused "7", Paul.

Best, Fred
Title: Re: Cardinal 7: Spanking New?
Post by: Shark Hunter on September 25, 2021, 11:47:26 PM
Definitely has the Bling!  :o
Title: Re: Cardinal 7: Spanking New?
Post by: Midway Tommy on September 26, 2021, 03:01:47 AM
You did good, Paul! Nice reels! Those nylon blocks on the oscillation arm/connecting link can become brittle with age, especially if someone use crappy oil like WD 40. You can find replacements but they're kind of expensive. One guy used to make aluminum replacement blocks. Haven't seen any listef for awhile. There is also an aftermarket oscillation arm/connecting link with a metal block already attached. I haven't seen any of those around lately, either, or I would have snatched them up.  ;)
Title: Re: Cardinal 7: Spanking New?
Post by: Paul Roberts on September 27, 2021, 02:32:13 AM
I'll be watching those nylon oscillation blocks. Hey, Greg, have you noticed any gear binding in your 6 when reeling up 2oz of weight and a 3lb fish? Can it winch or must you pump? Curious.
Title: Re: Cardinal 7: Spanking New?
Post by: Gfish on September 27, 2021, 05:16:06 AM
Mostly winch. No binding. It's my Sabiki—bait catching rig.
Title: Re: Cardinal 7: Spanking New?
Post by: Paul Roberts on September 27, 2021, 01:12:13 PM
Ok. Thanks.
Title: Re: Cardinal 7: Spanking New?
Post by: Catching Nemo on September 30, 2021, 01:50:27 AM
The metal replacement oscillation blocks are available from eBay thru a UK seller: spike-nigel