Are the Boca econo bearings (steel ball/steel races) an upgrade to the stock spool bearings in a Chronarch or just a replacement of the same bearing?  After cleaning and lubing with TSI 321, I'm disappointed with the casting distance I'm achieving with a new Chronarch 51e when compared to my decade old Morroms with their stock bearings.

 

 

oe

The reel manufactures are tight lipped about bearing specs. I suspect that if they were ABEC rated they'd be promoting that. IF bearings need replacing I suggest ABEC 5s in either SS or ceramic hybrid run dry. That said, there are so many factors that affect casting, I'd look into other areas before making the leap to bearings. Rod, bait weight and profile, line and conditions all affect casting. If those issues have all been accounted for and you want to concentrate on the reel, I'd be sure whole reel is deep cleaned and bearings pass a spin test. I've Super Tuned quite a few E series Shimanos with good results. Be leery of the inevitable claims of bearing swaps as a quick fix, this from a Boca dealer. Let me know if I can help.

Sound advice, the abec-5 bearings being the bearings I recamend for all baitcasting reels if needing replaced or super tuning, there is a lot of hype about abec-7 and less expensive than realistic abec-9 bearings, which baitcast reels simply will never reach rpm speeds capable of gaining from them. That said I to have found little gain in changing good factory bearings over properly serviced bearings in Shimano reels or most other quality reels, even though I am no fan of their ARB bearings, if they are not damaged I doubt you will see much change in replacing good bearings that are as I say,,,,properly serviced,,,,,   

The Chronarch itself is new and seems to be a very nice reel that I'm expecting to be happy with.  The spool bearings were pretty packed with reel grease restricting the spool spin.  It took several 8 minute baths in my ultra-sonic cleaner with Simple Green and finally a bath in acetone to get a good free spin on a pencil tip!  After the cleaning the bearings sounded a little rough compared to the Morrum bearings I'm used to.  This is my first Shimano so I don't have any experience with their bearings, but I'm coming to the conclusion that the Morrum stock bearings are a little better than the Chronarch stock bearings. 

 

The intention for this reel is casting hard jerkbaits that I'm needing to throw a good distance as the water is very, very, very clear.  I'm comparing the casting distance to an older (10yrs +) Morrum with stock bearings... same bait, same line, using a better casting rod with the Chronarch.  I'm not looking for distance records, just approximately the same distance as the Morrum.  I'm not interested in either the noise or the expense of ceramics but am curious whether or not the ABEC 5 steel bearings from Boca might give me the improved performance I'm seeking.  Thanks for your input.

 

 

oe

You will see little performance difference in the ceramic over the stainless steel, and if both are run wet (oiled)  the difference is not noticeable. Stainless bearings need to be oiled.

 

If you have a new Chronarch and the bearings feel rougher than 10 year old Morrum bearings I would say they are not clean or you have not lubed them properly. You may want to remove the side shields and give them a good flushing. Ifa new Chronarch will not cast as far, and the bearings are properly cleand and lubed, my guess is you have a better match with your rod for the lure you are throwing on the Morrum, than you the rod you are using with the Chronarch for that same lure?? 

I don't have much to say on this other than I'd like to note that the best bearings I've yet to come across was the factory set out of a 25 year old abu garcia reel. They outspun every bearing I had; bocas, hedgehog studios, and some no-ne ceramic.

Just recently I cleaned a set outta a 51e curado

After reinstalling... I knew something was off, removed cast control cap and looking very closely the spring was not seated on the bearing properly.. So once I reseated the spring it was fine, it's the one thing I hate about these reels is that spring... It's fine now though