Another Ambassadeur lover here!

Here are some pics of what I do with my old Ambassadeur reels. I still fish them extensively; they serve as my slow reels with about 23IPT retrieve. I love to tinker with these!

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Left side of the reel

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Under the cap

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The bearing that replaced the bushing; the right side is similar.

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Lightened worm gear drive cog

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Left side of the stainless frame

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Polished worm gear

[img]http://i1147.photobucket.com/albums...00/polishedlevelwindasslyandbearings.jpg[/img]
The removed levelwind assembly showing the polish and the bearings which replace the plastic bushings

[img]http://i1147.photobucket.com/albums...avily%20Modded%205000/rightsideplate.jpg[/img]
Left side plate

[img]http://i1147.photobucket.com/albums/o560/Smith-Sights/Fishing/Heavily%20Modded%205000/dragstar.jpg[/img]
Left side, handle and screw removed

[img]http://i1147.photobucket.com/albums...0Modded%205000/dragspringwasherstack.jpg[/img]
Polished drag spring washers; two for increased drag range adjustment

[img]http://i1147.photobucket.com/albums...Heavily%20Modded%205000/crankbearing.jpg[/img]
Crank bearing which replaces the stock crank bushing. It cleans up slop and makes things smoother overall.

[img]http://i1147.photobucket.com/albums...0Modded%205000/fastgearsanddragstack.jpg[/img]
Fast gears, drag washer and crank bearing stack on the driveshaft

[img]http://i1147.photobucket.com/albums...gswashersgearscrankbearingbrakeplate.jpg[/img]
Fast gears, drag washer, crank bearing, driveshaft, disassembled. Carbontex drag clutches.

[img]http://i1147.photobucket.com/albums...vily%20Modded%205000/cogwheelbearing.jpg[/img]
A bearing conversion on the idler isn't terribly hard.

Fun stuff!

Regards,

Josh