3 ambassadeur's

ILfishinman · 08-08-06, 10:47 PM

i have 3 Abu Garcia Ambassadeur 5000 c reels that i inherited from my grandfather. wanting to know if there is anywhere i can go to get them fixed up and put in working order. i cleanded them myself and greased and oild them but i cant get the braking to work right, its always jerky, and the drag isnt smooth. and when i cast it is all jerky also. i pretty much have to turn the braking off to cast it.
pics:

mack · 08-08-06, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ILfishinman

i have 3 Abu Garcia Ambassadeur 5000 c reels that i inherited from my grandfather. wanting to know if there is anywhere i can go to get them fixed up and put in working order. i cleanded them myself and greased and oild them but i cant get the braking to work right, its always jerky, and the drag isnt smooth. and when i cast it is all jerky also. i pretty much have to turn the braking off to cast it.

any local tackle shop could probably help ya out...or you can get a manual for them and see how to take them apart and look inside to see whats wrong..

ILfishinman · 08-08-06, 10:50 PM

well i totally broke it down exept where all the gears are in the side with the handle. and cleaned it, the only manual i ould find online was a blow up of all the parts

bassking22 · 08-08-06, 10:53 PM

I have two freshater spinning reels of my grandad, 3 crappie rods, and two more surf casting combos, got them all redone by a neighbor, and 3 of them crapped out during fights. Make sure that when you get them redone, the person id certified to redo them.

WTL · 08-09-06, 12:12 AM

Sure, I think most good reel repairmen could fix those. Garcia reels havent changed all that much over the years. I think those are from the 70s, others might know better though...a collectable reel. Probably each would fetch a few bucks on ebay. And if you can get them working right, I know people who still use Abus that are that old. Maybe its a little bit sentimental, but they arent bad reels.

Phydiox · 08-09-06, 01:24 AM

since they were grandads i would clean them up and put them in a display case . or if you're determand to fish with them buy a couple of wondewr rods for cat fishin to put them on. the little push button will tear your thumbs all to heck after a day of bass'n. just my thoughts. j

FlyRod · 08-09-06, 06:12 AM

These reels, though HEAVY, can serve you well, assuming they are in decent shape.
My recommendation, IF you want to honor Granddad by fishing (effectively) with them, is: Have a QUALIFIED technician convert two of them to higher speed retrieve...easy to do, and leave one at the old gearing (big cranks, etc.) The Amby's with three zeros (5000, 6000) had a slow rate of retrieve.
The 5500, 6500, were faster, though still slow by today's standards.
As to your other problems: Reels with a "C" suffix had a ball bearing on either side (under those round caps). These may be worn or rusted and need replacement...almost a sure bet on that, especially if G'pa used 'em in salt or brackish water or just wasn't into regular maintenance. This would account for the casting hang-ups.
Also, the "brakes", located on the non-handle side of the spool, consist of two little shafts upon which rode tiny little cylinders, probably made of a hard fiber material. The kit that came with each reel offered three diameters of these, used according to how much braking one desired. These will need to be replaced in all likelihood...the smaller, less braking; the larger, more.
Drag: These reels used fiber or leather washers stacked in the main drive shaft. These deteriorated over time and need to be replaced. Replacements are available that are made of smoother and more durable stuff, most likely.
More Drag: If you've opened up the reel(s) and looked at the stuff stacked on the drive shaft, you may have noticed two small metal washers that resembled bent dimes. THESE are critical to drag performance!
Many folks make the mistake of not LOOSENING their drags when the reels are not in use between trips (or overnight at the motel). Thus, these little "bent dimes", which are actually tensioning "springs", become flattened and ineffective. Unless the ones in G'pa's reels are noticeable bent, they MUST be replaced. Do NOT attempt to rebend them...too inexact.
Lastly: Save what original handles that may remain (the middle reel in the pic, for sure, possibly the one on the left,) and put new "Gator Grips" on them to improve the ergonimics. Make sure that the little retainers that secure the big nut are securely screwed to the handles!
These are quality reels, the "gold standard" of their time. Either have them cleaned and preserved and put the prettiest one on the mantle (original handle) and store the others OR go to the trouble and expense of following the above steps...your call.

F.Rod

keithdog · 08-09-06, 06:56 AM

I remember Bass Pro Shops having a reel repair service. Not sure if they still do but they did work on a couple of mine once and I was saticfied with their work.

bassking22 · 08-09-06, 11:52 AM

Those look like the external is in good condition, if the internals are in such good condition, I would fish withe them. I like using older reels because they are all meatal, and if you get them redone properly, they can go through anything.

ILfishinman · 08-09-06, 02:42 PM

well i dont really plan on doin alot of fishing with them. so i guess i can put them on display. just wanted to see if there was a way to get them working like new again. thanks guys, especially you flyrod

Bender · 08-09-06, 07:23 PM

I have heard goodthings about this place: http://www.heartlandtackleservice.com/

Jackl · 08-10-06, 12:33 PM

ILFISHINMAN,
I sent a couple reels to Heartland tackle service and paid quite a bit to have them cleaned and a couple bearings replaced. When I got the reels back, they did not release properly when I hit the thumb bar. I heard about Armadillo Reel Repair, 903-383-7891, www.hilljumper@peoplescom.net from a friend, so I called them. I told him about the problem and he diagnosed the repairs over the phone and told me about how much it would cost. (A whole lot less than Tackle Repair Service) I sent the reels to him, and had them back in a couple weeks, working like new. Give him a call and tell him what you have. He can probably tell you the cost, including postage. He is located on Lake Fork, in Texas, so I am sure he has repaired and cleaned a lot of reels. (I won't hold it against him for being a Texan, people have no choice about where they are born)

JackL

08-08-06, 10:47 PM	#1
ILfishinman BassFishin.Com Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Champaign, Illinois Posts: 706	3 ambassadeur's i have 3 Abu Garcia Ambassadeur 5000 c reels that i inherited from my grandfather. wanting to know if there is anywhere i can go to get them fixed up and put in working order. i cleanded them myself and greased and oild them but i cant get the braking to work right, its always jerky, and the drag isnt smooth. and when i cast it is all jerky also. i pretty much have to turn the braking off to cast it. pics: __________________ If light moves at 670616629 MPH, how fast is Dark? Bass count 07: lost count Last edited by ILfishinman; 08-08-06 at 11:22 PM.

08-08-06, 10:50 PM	#3
ILfishinman BassFishin.Com Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Champaign, Illinois Posts: 706	well i totally broke it down exept where all the gears are in the side with the handle. and cleaned it, the only manual i ould find online was a blow up of all the parts __________________ If light moves at 670616629 MPH, how fast is Dark? Bass count 07: lost count

08-08-06, 10:53 PM	#4
bassking22 BassFishin.Com Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 630	I have two freshater spinning reels of my grandad, 3 crappie rods, and two more surf casting combos, got them all redone by a neighbor, and 3 of them crapped out during fights. Make sure that when you get them redone, the person id certified to redo them. __________________ Does anyone know of a fishing addictions program? Cause I need one.

08-09-06, 12:12 AM	#5
WTL BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Huntsville, Al Posts: 7,466	Sure, I think most good reel repairmen could fix those. Garcia reels havent changed all that much over the years. I think those are from the 70s, others might know better though...a collectable reel. Probably each would fetch a few bucks on ebay. And if you can get them working right, I know people who still use Abus that are that old. Maybe its a little bit sentimental, but they arent bad reels. __________________ Selling live waterdogs for less since 2005.

08-09-06, 06:56 AM	#8
keithdog BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: IN Posts: 8,308	I remember Bass Pro Shops having a reel repair service. Not sure if they still do but they did work on a couple of mine once and I was saticfied with their work. Last edited by keithdog; 08-09-06 at 07:11 AM.

08-09-06, 01:24 AM	#6
Phydiox BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: smyrna sc Posts: 26	since they were grandads i would clean them up and put them in a display case . or if you're determand to fish with them buy a couple of wondewr rods for cat fishin to put them on. the little push button will tear your thumbs all to heck after a day of bass'n. just my thoughts. j

08-09-06, 06:12 AM	#7
FlyRod BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,270	These reels, though HEAVY, can serve you well, assuming they are in decent shape. My recommendation, IF you want to honor Granddad by fishing (effectively) with them, is: Have a QUALIFIED technician convert two of them to higher speed retrieve...easy to do, and leave one at the old gearing (big cranks, etc.) The Amby's with three zeros (5000, 6000) had a slow rate of retrieve. The 5500, 6500, were faster, though still slow by today's standards. As to your other problems: Reels with a "C" suffix had a ball bearing on either side (under those round caps). These may be worn or rusted and need replacement...almost a sure bet on that, especially if G'pa used 'em in salt or brackish water or just wasn't into regular maintenance. This would account for the casting hang-ups. Also, the "brakes", located on the non-handle side of the spool, consist of two little shafts upon which rode tiny little cylinders, probably made of a hard fiber material. The kit that came with each reel offered three diameters of these, used according to how much braking one desired. These will need to be replaced in all likelihood...the smaller, less braking; the larger, more. Drag: These reels used fiber or leather washers stacked in the main drive shaft. These deteriorated over time and need to be replaced. Replacements are available that are made of smoother and more durable stuff, most likely. More Drag: If you've opened up the reel(s) and looked at the stuff stacked on the drive shaft, you may have noticed two small metal washers that resembled bent dimes. THESE are critical to drag performance! Many folks make the mistake of not LOOSENING their drags when the reels are not in use between trips (or overnight at the motel). Thus, these little "bent dimes", which are actually tensioning "springs", become flattened and ineffective. Unless the ones in G'pa's reels are noticeable bent, they MUST be replaced. Do NOT attempt to rebend them...too inexact. Lastly: Save what original handles that may remain (the middle reel in the pic, for sure, possibly the one on the left,) and put new "Gator Grips" on them to improve the ergonimics. Make sure that the little retainers that secure the big nut are securely screwed to the handles! These are quality reels, the "gold standard" of their time. Either have them cleaned and preserved and put the prettiest one on the mantle (original handle) and store the others OR go to the trouble and expense of following the above steps...your call. F.Rod

08-09-06, 11:52 AM	#9
bassking22 BassFishin.Com Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 630	Those look like the external is in good condition, if the internals are in such good condition, I would fish withe them. I like using older reels because they are all meatal, and if you get them redone properly, they can go through anything. __________________ Does anyone know of a fishing addictions program? Cause I need one.

08-09-06, 02:42 PM	#10
ILfishinman BassFishin.Com Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Champaign, Illinois Posts: 706	well i dont really plan on doin alot of fishing with them. so i guess i can put them on display. just wanted to see if there was a way to get them working like new again. thanks guys, especially you flyrod __________________ If light moves at 670616629 MPH, how fast is Dark? Bass count 07: lost count

08-09-06, 07:23 PM	#11
Bender BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Brighton, MI Posts: 2,414	I have heard goodthings about this place: http://www.heartlandtackleservice.com/

08-10-06, 12:33 PM	#12
Jackl BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Great Bend, KS Posts: 2,960	ILFISHINMAN, I sent a couple reels to Heartland tackle service and paid quite a bit to have them cleaned and a couple bearings replaced. When I got the reels back, they did not release properly when I hit the thumb bar. I heard about Armadillo Reel Repair, 903-383-7891, www.hilljumper@peoplescom.net from a friend, so I called them. I told him about the problem and he diagnosed the repairs over the phone and told me about how much it would cost. (A whole lot less than Tackle Repair Service) I sent the reels to him, and had them back in a couple weeks, working like new. Give him a call and tell him what you have. He can probably tell you the cost, including postage. He is located on Lake Fork, in Texas, so I am sure he has repaired and cleaned a lot of reels. (I won't hold it against him for being a Texan, people have no choice about where they are born) JackL __________________ There are two theories about argueing with women...........Neither one works! Last edited by Jackl; 08-10-06 at 11:56 PM.

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