gary
New Member
Posts: 15 
|
Post by gary on Dec 10, 2016 5:34:26 GMT 10
I just bought a 550 C5 on e-bay the seller new nothing about it but I researched it and thought it was a 650 C5 I received the reel today it is in nice condition but needs cleaning up. My question is I understand the C means it has a drag and the 550 means size across but what does the 5 on the end mean and is it just a smaller version of the 650 C5 . I think it is older than the 650 though. It is kinda tight on the turn from side to front and the little button that says on and off ratchet is stuck and I am not sure what that ratchet does I see the long rod handle on the stainless back stops the reverse of the spool as well. Is there much more you can tell me I do not see much info on this reel and when this design was made. I appreciate your help. I also bought a 700 E and received it today it is almost like a new reel. Lots bigger. I want to service both can I get some help on if it needs oiled or not it is pretty stiff turning but it is not on a rod yet. Also is the last 5 mean is it a deep or shallow reel? How much line will I need.
|
|
Last
Member
Proud NRA & NMLRA member
Posts: 679
|
Post by Last on Dec 10, 2016 19:20:56 GMT 10
just clean it up and and grease with petroleum jelly , and ya good to go , it take close to a 600 yd spool of line prolly  if it turning to hard loosen the nut then back the screw out just nuff to free it up but i like them a little stiff . |
|
|
|
Post by Mauricio on Dec 10, 2016 23:05:08 GMT 10
I have a 550 C5. Congrats by your acquisition. Wonderful reel, despite be weighty a little. But nothing that a belt rod bucket can't solve. It's that kind of reel we call "indestructible" . I believe can get a .38 shoot and a truck tire passing over and still works reasonably. Just kidding, don't do that, please . But is very resistant reel. You will pass it to your son, and he will pass it to your grandson, and it still working. And gets a lot of line, 300 m 0.35 mm mono is little, think about 500 m or more. Is that kind of reel when someone ask to you: " If you wreck to a desert island, and you can just make one choice, what reel you would like get with you?" . Well, if is a 550 C5, you can stay there more time than Tom Hanks, he he he he. And eat fish every day, kkkkkk! |
|
GeneB
Moderator
Posts: 3,120
|
Post by GeneB on Dec 11, 2016 4:46:01 GMT 10
Yes, the coding is spool diameter (5.5 inches), the C is drag model, versus A for no drag, and E for drag with handle knobs attached to spool. The 5 on the end stands for Fibreglass, a 1 is Bakelite, an 8 is CNC Aluminum. The Graphite reels a coded B for graphite, no drag, BC for graphite and drag and BE graphite, drag and handle knobs attached to spool.
|
|
gary
New Member
Posts: 15
|
Post by gary on Dec 11, 2016 10:13:06 GMT 10
I have no idea how old the 550 C5 is because it is not listed anywhere I can find from Alvey even the parts ptf.s do not list it. How would I find parts for it? also I bought a 700E5 that is invoiced thru your store in Florida I tried to tighten the drag but nothing happened I took the screw out of the center on the face of the reel and took off a washer with a flat side and underneath that was a broken and twisted o-ring I am not sure if that is where it goes. Not sure but doubtful it could make the drag not work. I took the spool off and looked underneath but when I put it back together and flipped the clicker back and forth it clicked in the on position but also clicked a little when in the off position. It appeared to be lubed with gray graphite. Gene is the correct o-ring available? it is listed as the same R6Q1 as the 650-c5 What would make the drag not work? could the discs be dirty and where does the o-ring go? Thanks Gary
|
|
gary
New Member
Posts: 15
|
Post by gary on Dec 11, 2016 10:31:49 GMT 10
I have a 550 C5. Congrats by your acquisition. Wonderful reel, despite be weighty a little. But nothing that a belt rod bucket can't solve. It's that kind of reel we call "indestructible" . I believe can get a .38 shoot and a truck tire passing over and still works reasonably. Just kidding, don't do that, please . But is very resistant reel. You will pass it to your son, and he will pass it to your grandson, and it still working. And gets a lot of line, 300 m 0.35 mm mono is little, think about 500 m or more. Is that kind of reel when someone ask to you: " If you wreck to a desert island, and you can just make one choice, what reel you would like get with you?" . Well, if is a 550 C5, you can stay there more time than Tom Hanks, he he he he. And eat fish every day, kkkkkk! LOL Mauricio I have a belt rod bucket coming I have a huge Okuma 15' glass pole I am thinking to cut the butt down so I don't need the belt rod bucket for something else. I wish I had money right now for a pole but I bought this cheap pole then the two reels so mama is not very happy with me now anyway. Now the 700 is not really operable til I get the drag fixed fortunately the 550 (indestructible one) just needs oil and cleaning. It has some corrosion on the handle and the latch that turns the reel. I have some polishing wheels that might work if they are stainless and not plated.I may need to pick your brain once in a while if I need help putting it back together. Thanks Gary |
|
gary
New Member
Posts: 15
|
Post by gary on Dec 11, 2016 10:36:20 GMT 10
Would Gun oil work better on oiling the reel? or too light, I also want to mention we use something here in Oregon I live on the beach and we use a product called Corrosion block on almost everything including our outboards and all metal parts. Not sure if it is available elsewhere but all the commercial fishermen here swear by it.
|
|
|
|
Post by Mauricio on Dec 11, 2016 10:51:23 GMT 10
I have no idea how old the 550 C5 is because it is not listed anywhere I can find from Alvey even the parts ptf.s do not list it. How would I find parts for it? also I bought a 700E5 that is invoiced thru your store in Florida I tried to tighten the drag but nothing happened I took the screw out of the center on the face of the reel and took off a washer with a flat side and underneath that was a broken and twisted o-ring I am not sure if that is where it goes. Not sure but doubtful it could make the drag not work. I took the spool off and looked underneath but when I put it back together and flipped the clicker back and forth it clicked in the on position but also clicked a little when in the off position. It appeared to be lubed with gray graphite. Gene is the correct o-ring available? it is listed as the same R6Q1 as the 650-c5 What would make the drag not work? could the discs be dirty and where does the o-ring go? Thanks Gary In fact, the 550 C5 is no longer in production line. Now, they are in the vintage shelves. About parts, maybe Gene could help you. Possibly he has some old stock parts. About the 700, probably some drag parts will need be replaced. Sure, E series can be used with no drag, your hand can make this function, but always is better when use all reel functionalities. |
|
|
|
Post by Mauricio on Dec 11, 2016 10:58:46 GMT 10
Would Gun oil work better on oiling the reel? or too light, I also want to mention we use something here in Oregon I live on the beach and we use a product called Corrosion block on almost everything including our outboards and all metal parts. Not sure if it is available elsewhere but all the commercial fishermen here swear by it. I ever used WD40. Good for protect the exterior. But, be aware, it have some undesirable effects, as untighten some parts.  For contact parts, I use gun oil too. But just a small drop. |
|
gary
New Member
Posts: 15
|
Post by gary on Dec 11, 2016 10:59:02 GMT 10
The 700 looks like brand new maybe problem is graphite lube instead of oil. It looks like it has had not much use. Maybe somebody put the drag back together wrong.I wonder if the discs can be cleaned. I imagine they have to be free of grease or oil maybe the o-ring had something to do with it.
|
|
|
|
Post by Mauricio on Dec 11, 2016 11:07:16 GMT 10
The 700 looks like brand new maybe problem is graphite lube instead of oil. It looks like it has had not much use. Maybe somebody put the drag back together wrong.I wonder if the discs can be cleaned. I imagine they have to be free of grease or oil maybe the o-ring had something to do with it. Drag washers. To grease or not to grease? Thats an old question. I believe the drag discs must be well oil free. They need some friction action. Try just clean them, and test the drag again. |
|
|
|
Post by Banjoship on Dec 11, 2016 13:53:52 GMT 10
If you go to the Australian Alvey web site there is a section with exploded diagram and parts list for most Alvey reels. I took a copy of the 550 C5 diagram some time ago. If you can't find it, message me and I will email it to you. Alvey are very good at supplying parts for old reels, especially if you have a parts listing.
Lee
Note to moderators: maybe we should have an archive section on site for such diagrams??
|
|
gary
New Member
Posts: 15
|
Post by gary on Dec 11, 2016 14:06:56 GMT 10
Thanks Lee it is not listed in the PDF parts list anymore aparently but I will look for the diagram if not can we do private messages here? I can give you my email if you could email me a copy would be cool if possible. Thanks That could help down the road many of the parts seem to be crossover parts Lee
LEE: I went to the Alvey Australia web site and the diagram and parts list in pdf format is in the parts file. I looked at that file over and over 3 times because I thought I saw it once and could not find it again. I wonder if it is in the copy at the Australia site and not the copy Alvey USA has I will look again thru that way. Anyway I have it thanks. Gary
|
|
|
|
Post by Mauricio on Dec 11, 2016 18:58:08 GMT 10
|
|
gary
New Member
Posts: 15
|
Post by gary on Dec 12, 2016 2:07:45 GMT 10
Thanks Mauricio that is great. I really got lucky on the 700E When I received it it was beautiful and like new not even hardly any scratches on the stainless back. No corrosion or anything. I think the original owner who I purchased it from could not get the drag to work right. Apparently he received a new drag kit. and put it together and it would not work at all. He said he had 4 other reels so he did not need it. Long story short I found the diagram and parts list page with parts for 3 reels that used same parts. I tore the reel down and first I found the o-ring was torn in half. further I unbolted the star drag and washers and lifted the spool off. I found nothing wrong with any of the springs or workings on the backing plate then I read on the diagram that two of the reels had 9 inside, outside and drag washers and in a notation there were 3 more that only were for the 650 the two 700's only had 9. I took the discs out of the top of the spool and pulled the shaft out from the bottom. There was a washer at the bottom on the shaft and counted 12 discs plus the one on the other end of the shaft, so he was sold the drag disc set and put the 3 extra discs inside. It would never compress enough and tore the o-ring. I took out the three extra discs and the drag started working. I still have to get another o-ring maybe I can find one to match at my local automotive center if not I will order one from Alvey online. I was very lucky and now have two working reels. I just thought I would throw this out there in case someone else might need this information.
|
|
|
|
Post by Mauricio on Dec 12, 2016 2:14:45 GMT 10
So, I believe everything is well walking. Let's fish!!  |
|
gary
New Member
Posts: 15
|
Post by gary on Dec 12, 2016 3:51:15 GMT 10
www.wrh.noaa.gov/pqr/marine/bars.php Winter have to pick my days. Big Swells today On the east coast they have hurricanes in Oregon we call it November and December been having lots of rain and known to have 100 mph winds We are on the mighty Umpqua river.
|
|
|
|
Post by Mauricio on Dec 12, 2016 4:02:32 GMT 10
www.wrh.noaa.gov/pqr/marine/bars.php Winter have to pick my days. Big Swells today On the east coast they have hurricanes in Oregon we call it November and December been having lots of rain and known to have 100 mph winds We are on the mighty Umpqua river. Yeah, I forgot the opposite season in USA. |
|
GeneB
Moderator
Posts: 3,120
|
Post by GeneB on Dec 12, 2016 5:28:19 GMT 10
The parts diagrams are still available at alvey.com.au/spare-parts/. The 550C5 is under Surf and Beach reels, the 700E5 under Rock Fishing Reels. The 'O' ring's function is to stop the star drag from loosening too much (don't want a keyed metal wash coming out of its spool slot) and, should be located on top of the star adjuster. The same 'O' rings can be found at local hardware and auto parts stores. I use gun oil to keep the fiber drags lubricated. I stopped using WD40 after reading this article: "When you have everything apart, clean all your parts with an appropriate cleaner such as mineral spirits. Note: many people feel that WD-40 is an acceptable cleaner – it is not. WD stands for water displacement, which means it removes the water and leaves the salt behind to corrode the reel. Additionally, the chemical inside WD-40 eats the lithium marine grease. Use a toothbrush to scrub the parts down with the mineral spirits, then let them dry. Now grease. Grease the gears and parts the manufacture or reel tech expert tells you to with a good lithium-grade marine grease. A tiny artist brush is the tool to use to paint the grease on the gears and parts. Remove the amount of grease you want to use from the grease bottle. Work with that grease only. Do Not Keep Dipping Your Brush Into The New Bottle Of Grease. If there is sand or salt on your parts, you will contaminate your new grease and the next time you use it, you will be adding these contaminants to the next reel you clean." |
|
if it turning to hard loosen the nut then back the screw out just nuff to free it up but i like them a little stiff .
For contact parts, I use gun oil too. But just a small drop. 
