Hi Folks,

 

I picked this 5500 (non-c, no bearing) up for a little bit.  I figured on having to fix it, but when I got inside it appears to never have seen water.

 

All the factory grease was still in place.

 

It looks like it was either rebuilt and sat, or was never used and sat, at least from the guts.

 

I can't figure out the mismatched side plates.  Help?  Why would they be mismatched like this?  A rebuild?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I almost get the idea that it was a demonstration model for some store.  It shows a little wear on the outside but none on the inside.

 

I did open it up to supertune it.  Here's what I did, and what I found:

 

• Lots of dried grease, hard, like you find in old reels.  It looked like the it dried pretty much in the places the factory put it.

 

• Replaced the driveshaft bushing with a bearing.  The bushing didn't show any perceptible wear.

 

• Polished the axle.  The brake shoes were not black at all.  They appeared new.

 

• Replaced the driveshaft bushings with new, polished ones.  There was no wear on the old ones.

 

• Replaced the drag clutches with carbon drag clutches.  No wear on the originals.

 

• Replaced the worm gear with one from the 5500c3.  The 5500c3 worm gear had a bearing and fresh lube, while the old one, though it shows no wear, will need to be cleaned of old factory grease.

 

I really think this was a demonstrator model as I said.  The reel appears to never have been opened prior to my work, and it's all just in excellent shape.

 

I'd be interested in hearing thoughts, opinions, etc, and if anyone knows why the side plates are mismatched, I'd be interested in hearing from you on that, too!

 

Regards,

 

Josh

No advice on the reel, but she is a BEAUTY!

Ride it hard its about 40 yrs old ..roll with it. 4.8 gear ratio lube it and forget it for another 40.. made in 71 cant help you on the sideplates .I have 4600s with baitclicker side plates I mismatch a lot also..

It's. "76", 5500's didn't come out until "75". It also had a 4.7:1 ratio. Looks like someone replaces the side plates. Fading usually occurs on both side plates,unless one side had more exposure to light. If it was unused, there wouldn't be that much rash on the side plates either. Fish with it, it's not really in collectable condition.

I have to agree, the reel in your pics has seen some use but is still in perfectly fishable condition.

Josh,was the drive gear brass? Does the click wheel on top of the drive gear have rectangular slots? Or are the holes round? If the drive gear is brass,,or if the click wheel has round holes,it's probably s rebuild.

Josh,was the drive gear brass? Does the click wheel on top of the drive gear have rectangular slots? Or are the holes round? If the drive gear is brass,,or if the click wheel has round holes,it's probably s rebuild.

 

I will have to check again, but I believe the drive gear was steel.  I flat don't recall the click wheel for sure, but there was something different about it -- I don't think it had a click wheel.  I noted something odd like that.  I'm going to listen for clicks.

 

(Checking...)

 

No, no clicks.  That is what I wondered about, why there were no slots or spring.  I've been in a lot of reels lately and didn't document everything.

 

If someone rebuilt this, it's a very nice job.  I'll be fishing it, I guarantee that -- even if it were collectible, I'd fish it.  It's too nice to let it set around!

 

I just almost wonder if it was a demonstration model that a vendor kept around for trying out.  That would explain its looks and the uneven fading (one side of the case faces light, maybe?)

 

It's a 5500 plate, too, with the c-clip on the end of the driveshaft instead fo the 5000's screw.

 

It really doesn't matter the history, not really, I just get curious. 

 

Opening it up was like a step backward in time for me.  Nobody had been in that thing since it was built.  There are always signs when a reel's been opened, and there just weren't any, at least nothing as recent as the scratching and whatever on the outside.

 

Something that could explain the faded sideplate:  Let's say that someone put on a Power/Speed handle, or whatever, and the crank side always faced the sun.  When it got sold, the original reel handle was put back on.

 

That's my theory.

 

Accurate?  I dunno.  It makes sense seeing what I'm seeing.  Had I been thinking, I'd have taken pics as I took it apart.

 

It was interesting, though, like when I open up a rifle from WWI. 

 

Josh

Trash it, it's a 4.8:1 GR and EVERYBODY KNOWS A REEL THAT SLOW IS USELESS FOR BASS FISHING.

I am far from being an expert on reels, this looks like a reel made from spare parts. If you want to know more about this reel give Don Iovino a call or send him your photos, he is the most knowledgeable person I know regarding legacy Abu reels.

Tom

I found a 6600cb at a yard sale.. Its 6.1-1... Are these reels meant for striper and cat fishing?? Or are they bass reels?..

I was thinking of using it for a striper set up but im unsure what kind of rod to pair it with.

Frogtosser grab a uglystik catfish rod for 30 bucks and use it for stripers its a perfect match.

I found a 6600cb at a yard sale.. Its 6.1-1... Are these reels meant for striper and cat fishing?? Or are they bass reels?..

I was thinking of using it for a striper set up but im unsure what kind of rod to pair it with.

That 6.1:1 is more like a 6.8:1 on a low profile, about 26-28IPT. She'll take anything you want to use 'er for. She'll like a heavy rod.

Josh

Thanks guys. Sorry to hijack your post. I will post something in the tackle section because I have more questions lol

Thanks guys. Sorry to hijack your post. I will post something in the tackle section because I have more questions lol

 

It's cool.  All round Abu Garcias are welcome!