Reel Repair by Alan Tani

Hi everyone,

I am rebuilding a Penn 349HC that I actually caught while fishing. The reel wasn't heavily corroded overall, but the spool had corroded/worn away right at the pinion engagement point, so the pinion couldn't grab the spool well and would disengage. The rest of the reel was packed with mud, and the rod it was attached to had every guide wrap degraded.

I tore it down completely, cleaned everything, replaced bearings, and upgraded it with a Newell Wahoo kit. It's running great now, so I'm moving on to the drag system.

I looked up 349HC Drag Plate Measurements
What I found was that the
OD: 1.229" (31.2 mm)
ID: 0.590" (15 mm)
I looked around online for carbontex drag washers and found these dimensions line up almost perfectly with Carbontex #49:

Carbontex #49 Specs
OD: 31.15 mm (1.225")

ID: 17.0 mm (0.668")

Thickness: 1 mm (0.040")

Because of that match, I'm thinking about using the Daiwa Sealine 400H / 400HW / 450H Carbontex drag washer kit, which uses the same #49 size. The OD is nearly identical to the Penn 349HC drag land, and the slightly larger ID shouldn't be an issue since the drag surface is on the interior of the gear.

Questions for the group:
Has anyone here used the Daiwa Sealine 400H Carbontex kit in a Penn 349HC? 
Any fitment issues or stack height concerns?

Alternately, does anyone know where I can get a 5‑stack kit for the 349HC? 
I know Bryan Young used to make them, and I've seen references to custom 5‑stack conversions, but I haven't been able to find a source.

If the Daiwa kit isn't ideal, is there a better match for the 31.2 mm drag plate size?

Thanks in advance — this forum has already been a huge help while I was researching the rebuild.

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts.

Here is an image before I added the Wahoo Kit.

Bryan got the 5 washer sets from me. 

I am out of the 349H 5 washer sets but have low speed 349 conversion kits with yoks, pinion, main gear and 5 thin SS washers.  I have a few chromed bronze spools if you need a new spool.  I should make another run of 349H washers.

I think Smooth Drag had thin Carbontex 349H washers at one time.

Cortez Conversions has 349/349H SS gearsleeves.

Nice catch 
Love the 349, whether or not it has extra letters. Just got my fourth    and will strip and service it later today. It was loaded with wire line from some decades ago but the spool has remained in geat shape. Much of that line was good too, amazingly.

Have a successful rebuild!

If lee has the metal disks I can potentially cut the carbons for you I just need to know the correct thickness for the 5 stack to make sure I have those sheets.

Hi, Lee if you run some more I would love to get some.  I currently have the old fiber washers and original washers.
May use 113H 4/0 Carbontex that I may use in the meantime, or try Carbontex #49.
I am set on the spools, have a new chrome spool and the Newell AL spool.
Will swap it out depending on what I go fishing for.
Have new bearings and have a spare stainless main gear and pinion.
Just want to upgrade the drag.

Thinking about trying it for Salmon mooching, would be interesting to be able to lower with the anti-reverse off, probably use the chrome spool, or going Lingcod or Halibut fishing with the Newell spool.

Thanks

Martin

Jason, would also be interested in getting some cut that are the correct size.  Will let you know when I figure out if I can get the washers for the 5 stack which would be ideal, or stick with the original 3-stack and just upgrade it to Carbontex. 

I use the 46B Carbontex. The center hole needs to be enlarged but it's very easy. Cut a strip of 400 grit sandlaper about 2"x8", roll it lengthwise tight enough to fit through the hole. Hold the sandpaper still and twist the washer backwards against the wind of the sandpaper. The sandpaper will unroll and cut the washer. Don't twist the washer back and forth or move the sandpaper in and out just continuously turn in the cutting direction. Stop and check the fit.

There are two problems in trying to use three 1mm CF washers and the stock metals. First they are not the same height as the original stack, second the earred washer will bottom out in ghe grooves cut in the main gear before you get full pressure on the bottom CF washer in the gear. Some folks have cut the grooves deeper but I didn't take that route. I used three CF washers and doubled up on the metals - main gear, CF, keyed metal, keyed metal, CF, earred, earred, CF, keyed - fill out the stack as needed with keyed or plain washer(s). Another option is to double up on the CF washers but you may need to use three CF washers in the main gear.

If you go with the 113H washers you'll still need to compensate for the lack of groove depth in the main gear.