Reel Repair by Alan Tani

This will be my first CarGem reel that is not an UL, I'll be curious to see the build quality and condition when it arrives.

Listing pics...

https://www.antipes.it/mul_cargem/Cargem_dal_catalogo_Rockland_1958.pdf

I was looking at that one too.
Already past my monthly reel budget.
Looks very cool.

Quote from: sandbar on September 16, 2026, 05:23:42 PMhttps://www.antipes.it/mul_cargem/Cargem_dal_catalogo_Rockland_1958.pdf

I was looking at that one too.
Already past my monthly reel budget.
Looks very cool.

I do wonder how big the pool of potential buyers for some of these arcane reels might be. There were at least two people bidding on this one, but are there 10 people in the world who might want it? 50? Only 2? Who knows.

I only have a couple that will go away soon, I hope —-

A 44M in similar cosmetic condition (6) — ex mechanical condition (9+).

And a 55 Mariner is that is close to unused (9C), (10M).

These reels are surprisingly astounding both functionally and so smooth.

Superior Old-School engineering and materials.

BTW, just read a report that Costco is starting to both ration, and double the price of motor oil.  Walmart likely will follow suit.  This is attributed to the global oil crisis due to the war in the Middle East.  But we all know, once it goes up —- it will never come down.

I have always used Mobil 1 synthetic in our vehicles, and Mobil 1 filters.

I change oil every 5000 miles.

Lowest consistent price has been WalMart & Costco.  Occasionally an auto parts store on special.

Stocked up a bit yesterday at WalBomb.

So whether you change your own, or have a quick lube place or your mechanic do it —- this is worth looking into.

Best, Fred

Quote from: CincyDavid on September 16, 2026, 06:42:14 PM

Quote from: sandbar on September 16, 2026, 05:23:42 PMhttps://www.antipes.it/mul_cargem/Cargem_dal_catalogo_Rockland_1958.pdf

I was looking at that one too.
Already past my monthly reel budget.
Looks very cool.

I do wonder how big the pool of potential buyers for some of these arcane reels might be. There were at least two people bidding on this one, but are there 10 people in the world who might want it? 50? Only 2? Who knows.

More than you might think. There are many, like me, that watch, notice and just wait for the opportunistic deal. If they're in mint or better condition a majority of those obscure watchers will be jumping in immediately.

I am not a Mobil 1 fan...I have had several engines that seem noisier when fed that oil. I just use Valvoline gray bottle synthetic, but I also try not to overthink this stuff. I have spent enough hours on Bob is the Oil Guy Forum to know not to go down that rabbit hole or I'll be cutting used filters to count pleats, and doing Blackstone Labs analysis on my used oil.

Quote from: CincyDavid on September 17, 2026, 12:04:01 PMI am not a Mobil 1 fan...I have had several engines that seem noisier when fed that oil. I just use Valvoline gray bottle synthetic, but I also try not to overthink this stuff. I have spent enough hours on Bob is the Oil Guy Forum to know not to go down that rabbit hole or I'll be cutting used filters to count pleats, and doing Blackstone Labs analysis on my used oil.

Any of the 7 major brands of synthetic oil are going to be fine.

I use Mobil 1 Synthetic Extended Performance designed for engines over 75,000 miles.  It has some additives that claim to help some of the engine seals on higher mileage engines.

The greater key factor is changing oil on a regular interval.  And whatever oil you start with —- keep using the same brand.

I change my oil and filters in my 2002 3.4 V6 Tacoma 4WD every 5000 miles.

The Subaru Outback with the 2.5L engine gets changed every 6000 miles.

Bought the truck new, never babied it, expected it to do a variety of jobs including towing and carrying a cabover camper, all weather conditions.  And it has, and then some.

It now has 260K on the Odometer, and is still going very strong.

You are right not to overthink the oil & filter issue.

Common-sense and care prevails.

I was just letting folks know that oil is going to double in price pretty soon.

Needed a new cabin under dash filter for the Subaru yesterday, for a trip this weekend.  $43 with tax at NAPA, for just a paper simple filter made in Vietnam.  Should have bought a few on Amazon, but didn't have time.  Next time, I will.

Best, Fred

Last time I changed out a cabin filter, I found a mouse nest...in a car that is garaged and gets driven daily. Didn't notice any smells or any other evidence of rodents. They did, however nest in my stack of clean car wash towels, so I knew they were lurking somewhere. I hate "meeses" to pieces.

Their stench is tough to get rid of sometimes. Rat pee in a vehicle is even worse. 🤢

I had a coworker who had a bad smell in her car, suspected a dead mouse. Instead of taking the dash apart her husband dug up an ant nest in their yard and poured live ants down the dash vents?!? He figured the ants would eat the carcass. Not quite sure how that played out.

By the way the reel arrived...a disassembly/clean/relube and it's already hung on a new Shimano light action 6.5 foot rod with clear 6 lb Stren, ready to go.

Thanks for the oil tip Fred.
I'm thinking, just leave the cabin filter out next time, they are too expensive. My Ford E350XT doesn't even have one.
 Maybe the oil filter is more important than the oil brand. Saw a video the other day where the Car Care Nut(specializes in Toyotas) took the oil pan off to replace some kinda crankshaft balance unit. There was about a quart of oil left in the pan after draining from the oil plug. Never realized this. Only Toyotas? or certain models of Toyota? Maybe a good(probably expensive)filter is a good investment. The oil pick-up tube has to be recirculating some of that dirty stuff.

CD, interesting reel. Are parts unobtainium without buying a whole reel?
Ants produce waste products too. That was a "creative solution"  though.

Greg, I have to assume I'd need a parts reel for most of my stash, aside from something like a bail spring that could be fabricated or repurposed.

The whole "ants down the defroster duct" seemed dumb to me but it's only dumb if it doesn't work.