Reel Repair by Alan Tani

Hey Lee, that 7 stack is impressive, did it work ? If I wanted to, would I be able to swap out to the high speed gear set without to much modification, say just the main, pinion and yoke or does the sleeve need to be changed too ?

The 7+1 drag stack works but I only cut 5+1 sets now, that's what I use in all but one of my 349's.

Yes, change the main gear, pinion gear, yoke and drag stack and you have a different gear ratio reel.  A quick way to determine if your reel is a 349H or a 349 is to take the handle arm and star off then try to remove the drag stack, the 349H eared washers will not come out.

You can use a 113H gear sleeve if you have to replace one, they are not the same as a 349 gear sleeve (the AR ratchet has a larger OD on the 349/349H) but they will work.  Installing a SS gear sleeve is the #1 upgrade for these reels.

Lee thanks so much for the help. Didn't take gears out yet, been busy taken care of Dad, but just did a quick check tuning the handle one full turn and counting 3 plus turns on the pinion gear so I think I got lucky with "H" gears. Will double check when I strip it down. Thanks.         Richy

Mornin Guys. Just a note that I stripped it down this morning and luckily it's 3.25 gears. Will be soaking and cleaning today and get in touch with Dawn first chance I get., thanks. Also, always thought these reels were ball bearings. These look like bushings holding the spool in. Yes or no ? Thanks.       Richy

Quote from: CaptainRMF on October 23, 2014, 03:58:22 PMAlso, always thought these reels were ball bearings. These look like bushings holding the spool in. Yes or no ? Thanks.       Richy

Yes, the 349/349H uses plain bearings (bushings).

Lee --

Can the bushings be replaced with bearings, in these 349s?

I know that we can get good bearings for almost any size Side-plate hole -- just need the three measurements -- and quality of the bearing you recommend.

Sounds like a fairly cheap and worthwhile upgrade.

Best,

Fred

Guess that's why I come here Lee, learn something new everyday. Been praising these reels for 45+ yrs. to my friends swearing they had ball bearings. OOPS ! I like Fred's idea about the bearings. If they work and lasted this long with bushings, OH the possibilities with bearings. Thanks guys.   Richy

Quote from: foakes on October 23, 2014, 04:11:37 PM
Lee --

Can the bushings be replaced with bearings, in these 349s?

I know that we can get good bearings for almost any size Side-plate hole -- just need the three measurements -- and quality of the bearing you recommend.

Sounds like a fairly cheap and worthwhile upgrade.

Best,

Fred

Anything is possible but why replace something that works so well with something that requires more maintenance and are more prone to failure?  I've never had a plain bearing (bushing) fail before they were worn beyond reasonable use.  Penn part #26-349 and #40-349 bearings are hard to find, grab them if you ever locate some.

Yeah, Lee --

You are right -- I also have never seen a bushing fail -- except when the rest of the reel is also trashed from poor or no maintenance.

I just have always preferred bearings when available -- and of course they get cleaned and lubed when the reel is serviced regularly.

Thanks,

Fred

Quote from: foakes on October 23, 2014, 06:57:26 PM
.... and of course they get cleaned and lubed when the reel is serviced regularly.

Mine are too.

Quote from: foakes on October 23, 2014, 04:11:37 PM
Lee --

Can the bushings be replaced with bearings, in these 349s?

I know that we can get good bearings for almost any size Side-plate hole -- just need the three measurements -- and quality of the bearing you recommend.

Sounds like a fairly cheap and worthwhile upgrade.

Best,

Fred

No need Fred, the 114H narrowed is a much better reel in many ways.
I do like the 349, but like the 114h narrow a little more...just my opinion

Hi Richy, I was able to fit five 0.5mm thick carbon washers (cut from a sheet I bought of Wallace) with the standard brass washers into a 349H gear. I think with Lee's thinner metal washers and 0.5 mm carbon I could fit 7. Lee, what thickness carbon washers are in your 7 stack?
Sal, what about putting ceramic bearings in your magged 49 with the 349 bridge upgrade? 
Michael

Quote from: mhc on October 24, 2014, 07:13:20 AM
Lee, what thickness carbon washers are in your 7 stack?

I think .035" but I played with .020" too.  The metal washers are .035".  

Quote from: Alto Mare on October 23, 2014, 10:04:18 PM
No need Fred, the 114H narrowed is a much better reel in many ways.

No fair!  The 114H is in a different class of reel, the 114H is much stronger but also heavier.  I also like the width of the 349/349H better than a 114HN, if someone made a NN frame the 114HNN would be fit my needs.

 I've got a brand new 5-349 main gear. It looks like it's a steel gear and not a brass one. Don't know if it's a 349 or a 349H though. Will the number of teeth be different on the main gear or the pinion gear or both? I've got a bag full of pinion gears that don't have numbers so I have no idea what they go to. No telling what all parts I do have that are not marked. Guess that's what I get for buying things like that! I also have a set of 6-349 if anybody ever wants an original set.

Quote from: Keta on October 24, 2014, 02:47:18 PM

Quote from: mhc on October 24, 2014, 07:13:20 AM
Lee, what thickness carbon washers are in your 7 stack?

I think .035" but I played with .020" too.  The metal washers are .035".  

Quote from: Alto Mare on October 23, 2014, 10:04:18 PM
No need Fred, the 114H narrowed is a much better reel in many ways.

No fair!  The 114H is in a different class of reel, the 114H is much stronger but also heavier.  I also like the width of the 349/349H better than a 114HN, if someone made a NN frame the 114HNN would be fit my needs.

The 349 with line weighs in at 3lbs. 3oz., the narrowed 114H, also with line is exactly the same 3lbs. 3oz.
Plates are also the same height, but the 114H are much beefier.
ID on spool is 1 1/2" on the 349 and 1 3/4" on the 114H. The 114H appears to be much wider because of the wider plates, but it's only 1/4" more.
With no upgrades I do consider these reels to be in the same class.
The 114H has a beefier spool shaft, beefier screws, bridge, gears and a few other things.
As stated above, I do like the 349... great reel, But, I  like the 114HN a little more.