an ambassaduer drag upgrade

i know you guys love these reels.  you can't all be wrong, no matter what i personally think.  i used to hate them. i've slowly warmed up to them. here's an upgrade for most of the smaller 3-drag ambassaduers. if you've got an old one with two drags, send me an e-mail.

first, find the schematics for your reel. here's the link....

http://www.abugarcia.com/schematics/schematic.cfm

now call ambassaduer at 800-228-4272 and ask for a thin metal slotted drag washer. it's most likely part #20906, but check it against the schematic for your particular reel. you need this to replace the thick washer, part #20960 which you can discard. make sure you have the reel in hand when you call. they will ask you for the reel seat # to be sure.

now call fisherman's warehouse in sacramento and ask for a set of four penn ht-100 drag washers, part #6-965 ($1.25 each). these will replace the thinner stock drag washers used by ambassaduer. also ask them for a 1 ounce tub of shimano star drag grease ($5.00). when these drag washers arrive, you will have to hand trim them to match the outer diameter of the three stock composite drag washers inside the gear and the one smaller composite drag washer under the gear. apply a liberal amount of shimano grease with an old toothbrush. just slap it on.

let's use the ambassaduer 6500 c3 9910 as an example. find the "gear cluster" at the top of the schematic. here's the order in the schematic.

1. install #5189 - it's a small brass thrust washer.

2. install #22079 - this is your gear sleeve.

3. discard #13169 - in it's place, install a penn ht-100 drag washer that has been trimmed down the same size.

4. install #21200 - your main gear.

5. discard #20907 - install a penn ht-100 washer here.

6. install #20906 - this is a "thin slotted" metal drag washer.

7. discard #20907 - install your third penn ht-100 drag washer.

8. install #20905 - this is your "keyed" metal drag washer. now this part is critical. the "nubs" of the keyed washer must be bent down at a 45 degree angle in order to seat properly in the main gear. this will not work otherwise.

9. discard #20907 - install your fourth and final penn ht-100 drag washer.

10. discard #20960 - and install the thin slotted metal drag washer that you ordered from ambassaduer. note that the penn ht-100 drag washers are thicker than the stock composite ambassaduer washers. if you use the thick slotted washer, there will not be enough room in the side plate for the drag cluster.

11. now lube the bearings with reel x and grease the screw holes any grease, reassemble the reel, sit back and admire your work. congratulations. alan

I love the abu's 6500 series becuase they seem to hold up to the sand a little better than my shimano triton reels during those wet surf launches. I have a ton of the 6500 CS reels and will definately try that upgrade. Is the upgrade for a smoother drag when wet or for smoother when dry?

-Brian

brian, it you need washers, let me know.