Never worked on one before, fixed it with your help. It’s from the late 60’s-early 70’s. I’m redoing it for a lifetime friend. The reel was his dad’s who passed on last year. This will be a special keep sake for my buddy. Thank you for your knowledge sir.
You both are most welcome. Good to know, thank you. If you need to take out the gears, I did that as well here: th-cam.com/video/ru122KcdLsE/w-d-xo.html Not a big deal to do that, hopefully it simply needs a "light" overhaul and lube. Thanks again.
Hello there. Im a 52 year old female with a bunch of different 33's i have bought in the past year. I have found my two smooth operating crown jewels in the older ones with a black and with metal feet, but with two rivets instead of one. I grew up fishing with my dad on the lakes and rivers here in my Tennessee hometown. Unfortunately, I never had a zebco of any kind as a child. My daddy only used abu garcia and diawas. So it Has only been the past year and a 1/2 that I have come to the zip code 33. My sweet precious boyfriend introduced me to them. So For the past year i have bought every used thirty-three That I could find. And I'm getting. Them all out to service them Claim them and love them. LO.L that's how I stumbled across.Your amazing,helpful, and teachful video. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and wisdom.It's time for me to get to work I have a lot to do.
Enjoy those 33's - my wife loves hers for sure. Glad I was able to be helpful - there is a video on drag fixes (common problem) as well (and a couple more). Good luck getting them back in operation.
A Zebco was the first rod I bought for my son years back. He loved it BUT now he is a Grandpa and that makes me a F.O.G. ! Merry Christmas Matt & Connie!
Thank you Matt, much appreciated I snagged up one of these bad boys and I've been slowly reliving it.. but you have brought back my zebco fad.. thank you
My first fishing pole was made of cane. My second was a Zebco 202. Thought I had gone to Heaven when I got my first 33. I was about 12 years old. I'm 72 now and I prefer spinning reels, but my wife still uses thirty threes and a Omega I just bought her. I don't think you can beat the 33 for kids easy to use and cheap on the pocket book.
I've got a 33 Classic FeatherTouch that belonged to my grandfather. It was left to me after he passed in 2010. It's still with the model 1741 rod. It needs some repair and I ran across your video while searching for how to videos. Thanks for the great tutorial!
Thanks Adna. Those old Zebco reels were so good it's just hard to justify not using them. The cheap Chinese stuff just doesn't cut it for me (and apparently many thousands of others). Good luck out there fishing!
Enjoy catching fish with it! I didn't put this in the film, but what you have is a "lifetime" reel, that is, they were so robust that if anything went wrong with it (Johnson was the same way) you sent it back to the factory and they repaired it and sent it back to you. Once you get it greased up and operating to your satisfaction, teach whoever you're going to pass it on to how to lube it and they'll have a lifetime reel as well. Good luck with it!
Thanks, I haven't fished in 25 years and we decided to try it out next weekend so I dug out my old ugly stick with my zebco 33 from the late 80's, but it needs to be cleaned and restrung. This will help tremendously.
You're welcome Brad - just so you know that's the exact combination I'm fishing with too (68 33). Rod looks like it went through WWIII but it's still getting the job done. Love those old pistol grip ugly sticks.
Thank you for this instructional video! I've got to clean and repair a Zebco 33 Classic that I let a couple of young Cub Scouts use on a fishing trip. 😳 I will probably have to dig a little deeper as the drag nor the reel brake is working, but I feel a lot better, and more confident, after watching your video. Maybe you have more videos on that?? I know your wife was happy with her Christmas present! Thanks again!!
Sherry: You're welcome - I added another video on the drag here: th-cam.com/video/NEU56UGzxXo/w-d-xo.html - the drag portion (in closeup) is towards the end of the video, I recommend you loosen the drag before pulling your line spool off. Good luck with the reel and the kids!
I just found one of this in my basement oh my god I was about to trow it away but just the way stainless steel looked i was like hold up let me look into it and men what I find for real 👍🏽 I use this video to clean it out and i can’t believe how nice it looks
Good deal Ruben, you saved one. Mrs. Mattson reeled in a 5 pound bass with hers two days ago (pictures on the Texas Fishing Forum) - so don't be afraid to use it when you've got it cleaned.
I ended up ordering a big rivet one that says spinner on the cap for 18 bucks shipped on eBay that's supposed to be in good functional condition.thanks for the video.i have looked everywhere on how to tell if it's a metal body one and your video is the only place I could find it
It's funny that you call this "Grandpa's reel." I'm watching this because I need to rehab my old Zebco 33 that's been languishing in the garage for a long time. My grandfather gave it (and the pole it's on) to me when I was a kid. It was the first rod and reel I ever had that was just mine and that I didn't have to share with my siblings.
My experience exactly. It was given to me and I got to fish with Grandad in his little Sears Jon Boat and I was finally a big man (or so I thought). I still have the rod too. Good luck getting yours together!
Thank you for the video. I have the small rivet base 33, what is the knob on the bottom left of my reel that says on-off purpose? You did clear up a lot of questions for about my Dads reel. He and I both are "Traveling Men" like yourself. He laid down his working tools years ago, but I have hung on to his reel like it is gold. Thanks again Brother.
You're welcome and good luck to both of you. That is the drag knob - I guess they didn't have room for "more" - "less" on that little knob so on off it was. If you want to fish with it, I'd suggest 8 lb. test mono instead of the 12 lb. usually found on them. Casts a whole lot farther and smoother in my opinion. Good luck fishing!
Hey boss, I stumbled on your videos trying to properly restore the (from what you said in the video, it might be a late-sixties through mid-seventies. Metal body, single rivet, steel gears) Zebco 33 that my Dad gave me a quarter century ago as my first ever rea reel. He's gone now, and I've been going through and cleaning up his (well, my, but that still feels weird to say) old rods and reels and found this beauty. First things first, that screw you mentioned not being able to get out before taking off the spool, that is not a screw sir. That is like a Z patterned brass pin that is slotted to fit over a tiny leaf-spring that lives inside the spool shaft. It adjusts the drag. Take the snap ring off the drag adjuster, unscrew and remove the drag adjuster and the spring, then pull the square brass block out the back, and the pin will follow shortly after. Back to my reel though, I desperately want an authentic crank nut, to fix my clicker, and also a replacement brass washer that goes between crank handle and the case. Any ideas on how/where to get the clicker? Should I just buy the washer and nut from ACE, or try and find authentic parts?
Thanks for that Rufus, I'm sure it will help others. Parts: since Covid I don't know what to say about that anymore. It used to be I could get all the parts I wanted by buying old reels at the flea market here. Many of those didn't survive and there's far less activity at the ones that did. I now go any route that gets the reel going and I guess that's not terrible as my reels are for fishing, not collecting. I hope you have success getting yours back in shape as well.
Looking for help with getting the spring, brass washer, and metal lever back on the anti-reverse. Lever broke so fabricated a new one but getting it back together....argh!
I was hoping for you to show how the drag system worked. Otherwise great video my daughter won’t use anything but 33’s so I have to be able to keep them working she can screw up the proverbial steel ball so after every trip I have some work to do.
Tom - the anti-reverse lever simply lets a spring steel piece fall into a cog on the main shaft. Take the back off, see if it looks like the one in the vid (it has that piece) and if so, can you get it back in . . . hopefully so. Sometimes the steel simply gets bent back on itself and can be straightened with needle-nose, but if it is broken in half or not there at all, we're in another ballgame.
@@mattmattsongold thank you so much. I will give it a look. Edit: I took the reel apart cleaned and lubed, works fine. Yah!. My 33 has a plastic base and plastic parts inside, I guess it must be one of the last years before going to China.
I just picked up a really nice vintage 33 and except for needing a good cleaning it is extremely nice. The only problem I am having the arm nut keeps coming loose. Any suggestions???
I have an old 33 Tulsa, OK reel that I fished as a kid. I'm wanting to refurbish but screw lock is missing and I cannot get cover to budge at all. Any ideas on how to get apart without damaging?
Yes - spray it with PB Blaster all over the cover to body and really try to get in that cover crack with it. Let it rest overnight and do it again the next day and on the third day try to take the cover off. That usually does it for even the most corroded of them. Wish you the very best in getting that reel going - would make a fine Christmas for sure!
Worked on a zebco 202 that was locked up after I worked on the 303. It didn’t go well at all, tried to remove the spool and the rear metal plate cracked right off in the plastic housing
Thanks for this video. I found a couple of these on ebay a few years, I think I might grease them up and fish with them. By the way, that a fine looking ring you have there Brother :)
You're welcome - and since you're a Brother I'll make this admission to you: I've seriously slowed down using my Grandfather's 33 and am now using a much younger reel. I've gone to the 1968 33 he gave me to use. I'm on a deep water reservoir now and simply don't want to lose Grandad's to the deep - so it is constrained to shallow water only now. Enjoy getting those in operation and very best of luck out there in every way!
Sorry Jason, afraid I have not. There is an active Zebco 33 forum on Facebook that has been helpful to quite a few people here (I'm not on it) - perhaps you can get some help there. Good luck getting it back working!
If the drain hole isn't directly on the bottom, the cover might have been put on wrong and the stainless tits are outside of their grooves. Could be it's on cocked and stuck - that happens too. Spray some penetrant on it liberally and let it sit overnight - then go after it again with gloves on or the strap wrench. Don't want to bend the cover if possible - it's a very tight fit (therein is the problem).
Just serviced my 33. One problem, the plastic arm that engages with the pinion and serves as the clicker on my model rides up on the pinion and disengages. I’m not sure why. Almost like the plastic tip has worn down and now too short?
I think you've hit the nail on the head - especially if you fish catfish with the clicker engaged most of the time. The older ones I show are all metal - perhaps you can fabricate something like you see here or in the other videos? Would be worth a shot if you absolutely have to have the clicker. Good luck getting it back into shape!
Thanks for the video,,and if you could tell me where to get parts for those old (and much better) reels I would greatly appreciate it,,,,I have my grandpa's old 33 that has the single rivet in the back and the made in tulsa USA and patent number on the back,,it is the first fishing reel I ever used when he would take me fishing in the creeks at our farm in ByGod West Virginia,,when I was about 3,,,,after that I grew up in Florida (thank God for that--talk about fishing back in those days here wow) but would go back to the farm every summer,,,he died when I was 6,,,and thankfully he left me his rod and reel,,,old Zebco 33 and a steel pole with cork handle,,,but when I got it,,,the line would just strip when I tried to reel anything in,,,,so it got mothballed for more years than I want to think about,,,,,I decided to fix it a few weeks ago but could not find the brass gears,,,so I bought another from Ebay that same vintage for a whop'n $12.99 plus 8 bucks shiping as a parts donner,,,,but now I do not just want to scrap that old reel since the new Zebcos are junk ,,I would like to fix it,,but need the gears and the little gear handle shaft retainer,,,,any help would be appreciated,,thanks -Phil
Phil: I get it - totally. When I'm fishing for bass it's either Grandad's reel, or I'm not fishing at all. I buy all the old junkers I see for parts - since they're all interchangeable, it's not hard to get parts if you need them (buy them at the flea markets, old junk shops, wherever you see one). That said: mikesreelrepair.com has schematics and a click link for parts as well - you could try him. Very best of luck keeping all that history fishing into the next century!
@@mattmattsongold Thanks for the info,,I also just fixed up my old Garcia 5500C that I have had since I was a kid,,,and bought an old pflueger graphite rod for it,,,the new stuff is junk,,I am only using the old stuff from now on,,
@@odpbodpb :"the new stuff is junk,,I am only using the old stuff from now on,," -- like I said, I get it - totally. When they start making stuff worth buying maybe I'll buy it, but with Grandad's reel in hand, I really don't think I'll need to. Very best of luck with your fishing!
I have Six that I've found at yard sales. Best ever made, they make the best beetle spinners, plastic worm and crappie jig reel. The low ratio retrieve is perfect for those applications. Still looking for orings and a fix for teardrop antiRev.
Matt, on the video I watched you said you repair Zebco authentic 33 reels. I attempted fixing my sons, however something still seems wrong. Would you be willing to repair it?
Jason: the answer is in the comments of this video (or one of the other 3) - don't have that info handy at the moment. I use a toothpick and very lightly apply contact cement to the mating channel. Don't go overboard - you can easily get away with applying just 4 drops in the N-S-E-W pattern. Too much and you'll have a mess (don't ask how I know that). Good luck getting it back in shape!
i found 2 with all black and steel chrome buttons they both looked a like and both had bras gears but one had a anti reverse switch with all black covers not chromes covers what do i have with the black covers and anti reveres switch and steel button and the other 33 didn't have a anti reverse but it looked like the other one
Andrew - good find and hope you get them out fishing. If you have one with no anti-reverse, it is 1956 or before. If the band around the housing is chrome - it is 1956. These were the smoothest of all. The front cover should have a noticeable smaller line exit hole than later models - but - as all these covers interchange, it can be tough to know whether your covers are issue, exchanged, or replaced by the factory (rear as well). The 1956 chrome models are the most beautiful of all - but they almost bankrupted ZEBCO, due to a flaw in most of them that resulted in the chrome flaking off. As a result - very few you will see pure chrome covers as most were sent back to the factory (this was the age they guaranteed everything for life). The one with the black button - brass gears - before 1968 - if you look inside and see two small holes at the ends of the push crossbar: that had feather touch. Feather touch was incorporated in 1957. If it has that and you ever have trouble - remove the two springs and use it like any other ZEBCO - they discontinued it as it wasn't really needed anyway (they feather a lure down on a lilly pad just fine as is). Hope all that helps!
I got some of these older one's somewhere from when I was a kiddo that were my grandpas I gotta find But i got the blue plastic zebco 33.its been casting not as wll.i took it apart and it's full of sand but what I noticed .it doesn't have the o ring .it's got a tiny pipe cleaner wrapped around it.im pretty sure it came new like that because I bought it.do u thank it would be wortwhile to replace it with a o ring like the older ones had
I'd give the O-ring a shot. If it was full of sand and still working at all - must be pretty tough and worthy of keeping. Good luck getting it back in shape!
Andrew - the small knurled knob on the bottom left is the drag - has arrows on the knob with "less" "more" -- and can get stuck when they cinch it all the way down for cat fishing or pulling the boat to a hung plug (the old-timers did the a lot). If it's stuck - the other video shows the guts a little better "Zebco 33 Guide Easy Fixes For Grandpa's Favorite Reel" -- now after watching that, if needed, you should be able to take the guts out, get to the drag and free it. It's a simple push/pull rod/cam type deal. Hard to explain - easy to figure once you see it. Good luck with getting it in shape!
Question about the push button rails I got the rhino I greased it took it apart cleaned it greased it oiled it every now and then when I push the button to let it go it just stops about 10 ft and that's it never had this issue before you know what would cause this and the best way to fix it would be
It sounds as if there's an issue with the clutch - see if you have a piece of grit that is keeping that from engaging fully. One of the guys here cleans his with diesel fuel - that might get whatever is holding it hour and do some light lube too. Worth a shot !
@@jonwhite2706 : Thanks for that additional info, and I agree. Some of the modern lines are simply too slick for the O-ring system. The old Zebco reels work best with mono. Good luck with your fishing!
Interesting - most of us don't have much problem with that so you might have something a little different - that said, see if you've got a hardware store or hydraulics shop that you can individually size one up. Take the plate in and get the right fit - and if that can't be done, cut an o-ring & glue it on the plate, seal the cut so line can't drop in it and it will work fine. Good luck catching when you get it fixed!
Thanks for the great video! Do you happen to know what size o-ring that is from Harbor Freight for the feather cast? I have 2 that wont hold the line to cast and would love to order some to get them up and running but cant get to a store to buy the mixed pack. Thanks!
Brad: if you have a regular hardware store, try them (we have "Marvins") - this will get you in the ballpark Outside Diameter: 2 5/16" ID: 2 1/16" thickness: 3/16" and see if you can match the exact thing (NAPA - whatever it takes) -- the kit I had from Harbor was an American standard (non metric) in a clear case and came with all different sizes. If you take the 0-ring plate with you, you'll be able to judge it a lot better on thickness (there's some latitude). Good luck with getting those back fishing! Caught a crappie with mine today.
@@mattmattsongold , is the kit you're talking about from Harbor Freight? Does it have more than one o ring that size in the kit? Thanks for any information!
@@BobToplikar : yes, to both - but as Brad found none I gave the advice above and would to you as well - take it to a real hardware store and match it (they can do this exact - as I believe NAPA, etc. could). There is some wiggle room on thickness and thankfully they don't wear out for many many years. Good luck getting yours fishing again!
Didn't know about that - but do now and wholly support their (your) efforts! Put that info on an update to this movie - thanks for informing me. Sometimes I feel like the last person in the world not on FB yet . . . Tell them hi for me.
Ben: you will need a 2 1/4" OD 2" ID ring. The best thing to do is take your O-ring brake housing with you to the hardware store and buy a standard kit (there's usually a couple to 4 in the kit). Others have had success with both ACE and Harbor Freight for the rings. Good luck!
I don't Brian - but there are more videos from myself and others here that should be able to help you do anything you need. These reels aren't complicated, it's just tedious work that takes time. Good luck!!!
@flagold the reel I have is Tulsa marked with steel gears. The issue I have is the anti-reverse metal piece is loose and after se eral casts it stops working. I can't really see how to tighten it. Also, what is the on/off switch on the left side below the little clicker button for?
@@brianwv64 : should be a good one then - and good for fishing many more years to come. The on/off dial is for your drag (Zebco 33 O-Ring & Drag Fixes shows all that). Loosen the cover screw if you haven't already, take the back off and operate your anti-reverse and see what is loose and tighten it. The early ones didn't have anti reverse at all so if there's a real issue with it you can disable that altogether until finding a junker for parts to fix.
I have a 33 with metal foot, made in the USA and there are 2 small rivets and the center frame is plastic, has steel gears. Can you tell me what year that is might be from???? THANX
After 1984 and possibly one of the "Rhino" reels. Even with a plastic body it is almost impossible to kill and very smooth. They simply stopped building it altogether to take care of the longevity problem. Good luck fishing with it - still a great reel.
@@mattmattsongold Thank you. I have it all apart and already degreased and cleaned. Going to lube and put it together then re spool this afternoon. I just pick up at garage sale yesterday with rod for $10.00.
Congratulations - you beat the system! You got a great reel, nothing much in it and a lot of fishing ahead. Total win win. Good luck with your fishing.
matt, can you help with my older 33. it has steel gears and the anti reverse came apart. When I opened the back, 3 parts were loose: a very fine wire spring, a steel U shape part with a hole at the bottom and a very short piece of black plastic with a tiny steel washer attached at one end. I don't know if any other parts escaped because I wasn't paying attention. From your videos I see the location of the U shaped part which engages with anti reverse teeth. But I don't understand how the exterior anti reverse "lever" engages/disengages the U shaped part. I've searched the online schematics but no answer. If you solve my problem or direct me somewhere I'd greatly appreciate your time.
Pat: doing this from memory because we're up in NY at the moment . . . That lever simply bumps that U shaped pin on the underside and engages it with the teeth as I recall. If you have anyone with any model 33 of this series, take the back off and see if you can match things up. If that's not possible, I'll be home in a few days and take a look at the model you have - let us know if you need further help.
@@mattmattsongold Thank you for quick reply. i can't figure out how to attach U shape part to body. in my mind the U shaped part has to be able to slide back and forth? Hope you can help further when you return home.
I don’t believe it’s spinning correctly. Let me be honest though, this is the first time I have ever done this. I only know what your video said. I really am just trying to save this for my son since it came from his grandpa.
That's perfectly OK - I'd recommend you watch this video on models: th-cam.com/video/Tg917tVFrM8/w-d-xo.html and this one on gears: th-cam.com/video/ru122KcdLsE/w-d-xo.html -- when you have that digested, one thing we do know is Grandpa's reel has all the parts in it right now so it probably will work. On the left (as you're looking at the thumb button) near the foot is the drag - back it off two full turns if tight (the "less" direction - loosen) - look at the little button in the middle on the left (clicker) click it down (off) - on the right side near the foot there may or may not be a lever (anti-reverse) - click that forward (off) - seem to reel smoother? If not - 99% of the time there's a line problem in the front of the reel and it's simply a matter of pulling line out to untangle it. If not all of that - there is an active Zebco 33 classic fishing forum on FB (I'm not on FB) and we may find someone near you to look at it. Connie and I live in the middle of nowhere Alabama now and we absolutely cannot trust the services for anything valuable like your heirloom. Fear not - you evidently have a complete reel - and it should work fine.
202, 33, 404 or ? Could be - Zebco made a lot of fishing reels and plastic models of their own right here. I really target the USA steel and brass constructed models from introduction until 1970's.
OK - you push the button and let it go and it won't let out line? Take the face plate off and press the button - does it go out? If not it's stuck or there's a problem with the push-button linkage. Look at the plate that holds the O-ring carefully (the clutch) - look for the pawls that go into the housing on the back side of the reel (take off the back cover now) - free? Should be. Been lubed? Should be. Keep working backwards from the O-ring plate like that and you will come to the problem (another - if you have feather touch (two springs on the gear side of the reel on the clutch plate activation plates - and one of those springs is off so the plate is cocked - it will not pay out line) solution: take the other spring off and the reel will operate normally (as all other 33's do). Good luck!
Matt Mattson It seems to work without the top face plate. Albeit it I don’t have much weight in the end of the 2lbs. test line on it. But it lets out some and reels it back... just not with the top face plate.
@@n0llie OK - is the faceplate dented, corroded, out of round or just needs cleaning up? Seems the problem is there. That is a very tight fit by design to keep the line coming on the spool. I would look to fix that first. I'm assuming you meant 12 lb test - they were made for 12 but 10 works better if you're having fit problems (and you can go 8).
Matt Mattson No I meant 2lbs. Haha! It’s what I had laying in front of me when I was troubleshooting. Just put on some 12lbs test though and it works like a charm! Thanks for you help!! If anyone was looking for an O-ring I picked up a 2-3/8 in x 2 1/8 in x 1/8 in at Home Depot for like $2! Fits perfectly.
First - don't force anything . . . The front cover can get cocked and stop you from reeling - look at that first. Unloosen the lock, take the front cover off - look at the spool, a lot of times there's a tangle in there you can't see without taking line off - so do that and check. No go, take the back cover off and spray it out with Blaster or WD-40 (whatever) so you can see the gears, clicker (on the left as you're looking at it), and anti-reverse mechanism (on the right as you're looking at it). Either one of these last can get jammed occasionally and cause what you have. The center gears can get meshed if the screw on your right (on that mounting post) becomes loose - but that's unusual compared to the rest. Most times - it's simply the cover coming loose and getting cocked. Good luck!!
George: I can work on it - and so can you. The "feather touch" feature is simply two springs on the end of the activator bar. There are clips there and Zebco never did get that feature robust enough to last - it was quickly discontinued. If you take the springs off - you have a normal Zebco 33 of that era. If the springs are still there and one is off - put it back into the slot (magnification helps). If one is broken - your best bet is simply taking the other off and the reel is fully fishable again. Hope that helps!
@@georgehummingbird6702 - Ok, that's not anything to do with the feather-touch. That can be as simple as the housing isn't on right to as complex as the gears aren't meshing right. There's an L shaped piece on the winding stem that sets the gear mesh - normally we don't have to fool with it but if you took it all the way apart, that may be the issue. You've got it all lubed I assume. If worse comes to worse you can send it to me, just not right now and I don't know when - we've moved and everything is in limbo right now. Do let us know if you get it solved and what the issue was. Good luck!
Takes a licking and keeps on ticking. These old 33's are very well made. The new Chinese reels are garbage. I grew up on these old reels and also the old Mitchell 300 reels and the ambassadeur 5000. I don't use anything else..
Obviously - I agree. There's a reason the new ones can be found in tubs at the flea market for a buck and the old ones in prime shape still fetch what they were when new. Hope you're still reeling them in with your 33's as I and many others are.
I think the 33 is one of the best zebco reels ever made
Never worked on one before, fixed it with your help. It’s from the late 60’s-early 70’s. I’m redoing it for a lifetime friend. The reel was his dad’s who passed on last year. This will be a special keep sake for my buddy. Thank you for your knowledge sir.
You both are most welcome. Good to know, thank you. If you need to take out the gears, I did that as well here: th-cam.com/video/ru122KcdLsE/w-d-xo.html Not a big deal to do that, hopefully it simply needs a "light" overhaul and lube. Thanks again.
Hello there. Im a 52 year old female with a bunch of different 33's i have bought in the past year. I have found my two smooth operating crown jewels in the older ones with a black and with metal feet, but with two rivets instead of one. I grew up fishing with my dad on the lakes and rivers here in my Tennessee hometown. Unfortunately, I never had a zebco of any kind as a child. My daddy only used abu garcia and diawas. So it Has only been the past year and a 1/2 that I have come to the zip code 33. My sweet precious boyfriend introduced me to them. So For the past year i have bought every used thirty-three That I could find. And I'm getting.
Them all out to service them Claim them and love them. LO.L that's how I stumbled across.Your amazing,helpful, and teachful video. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and wisdom.It's time for me to get to work I have a lot to do.
Enjoy those 33's - my wife loves hers for sure. Glad I was able to be helpful - there is a video on drag fixes (common problem) as well (and a couple more). Good luck getting them back in operation.
A Zebco was the first rod I bought for my son years back. He loved it BUT now he is a Grandpa and that makes me a F.O.G. ! Merry Christmas Matt & Connie!
Now that's funny! (probably not to you though) Merry Christmas Ross!
Thank you Matt, much appreciated I snagged up one of these bad boys and I've been slowly reliving it.. but you have brought back my zebco fad.. thank you
You are most welcome - I feel my Grandad fishing right along with me every time I use one.
Awesome, There is a Zebco in every mans past. Nice restore work too.
"There is a Zebco in every mans past." -- what a great line! Thanks for that.
My first fishing pole was made of cane. My second was a Zebco 202. Thought I had gone to Heaven when I got my first 33. I was about 12 years old. I'm 72 now and I prefer spinning reels, but my wife still uses thirty threes and a Omega I just bought her. I don't think you can beat the 33 for kids easy to use and cheap on the pocket book.
Agreed. We still use our 33's every day.
Excellent video! I got out my old Zebco to teach my kids to fish and noticed it needs some TLC. I will now tackle it without fear!
Glad it was helpful!
That ol Zebco is the best!
Still fish with Grandad's '56 - caught a chain pickerel with it yesterday.
Very helpful. Ready to put an old 33 back into service. Thank you.
Glad it helped!
I've got a 33 Classic FeatherTouch that belonged to my grandfather. It was left to me after he passed in 2010. It's still with the model 1741 rod. It needs some repair and I ran across your video while searching for how to videos. Thanks for the great tutorial!
Good deal - I hope you get it lubed up and have as much fun as I have bringing them in with my grandfather's 1956! Good luck.
I like your style. I'm an old guy myself and l like the old, dependable American made things also.
Thanks Adna. Those old Zebco reels were so good it's just hard to justify not using them. The cheap Chinese stuff just doesn't cut it for me (and apparently many thousands of others). Good luck out there fishing!
I just bought a zebco authentic 33 and it pretty much brand new
Excellent!!! Good luck with your fishing adventures.
Thanks
Thank you, I appreciate you taking the time to help me, and for the videos!
My pleasure!
Thank you, Have one just like it, I had the mother of all birdsnests and it was much easier to cut the line out after taking it apart.
Glad it helped you keep the reel fishing! Good luck out there.
Wow the title of this video is EXACTLY what I am trying to do. 10/10 well done
Enjoy catching fish with it! I didn't put this in the film, but what you have is a "lifetime" reel, that is, they were so robust that if anything went wrong with it (Johnson was the same way) you sent it back to the factory and they repaired it and sent it back to you. Once you get it greased up and operating to your satisfaction, teach whoever you're going to pass it on to how to lube it and they'll have a lifetime reel as well. Good luck with it!
Thanks, I haven't fished in 25 years and we decided to try it out next weekend so I dug out my old ugly stick with my zebco 33 from the late 80's, but it needs to be cleaned and restrung. This will help tremendously.
You're welcome Brad - just so you know that's the exact combination I'm fishing with too (68 33). Rod looks like it went through WWIII but it's still getting the job done. Love those old pistol grip ugly sticks.
Thank you for this instructional video! I've got to clean and repair a Zebco 33 Classic that I let a couple of young Cub Scouts use on a fishing trip. 😳 I will probably have to dig a little deeper as the drag nor the reel brake is working, but I feel a lot better, and more confident, after watching your video. Maybe you have more videos on that?? I know your wife was happy with her Christmas present! Thanks again!!
Sherry: You're welcome - I added another video on the drag here: th-cam.com/video/NEU56UGzxXo/w-d-xo.html - the drag portion (in closeup) is towards the end of the video, I recommend you loosen the drag before pulling your line spool off. Good luck with the reel and the kids!
Just the video I needed! Thank you sir
You're welcome and best of luck fishing with your 33!
I just found one of this in my basement oh my god I was about to trow it away but just the way stainless steel looked i was like hold up let me look into it and men what I find for real 👍🏽 I use this video to clean it out and i can’t believe how nice it looks
Good deal Ruben, you saved one. Mrs. Mattson reeled in a 5 pound bass with hers two days ago (pictures on the Texas Fishing Forum) - so don't be afraid to use it when you've got it cleaned.
Excellent video,love the 33.
Thanks Nick - we fish with ours almost daily.
You're welcome Matt,and thank you. The old saying applies,,,they don't make em like they used to.
Thanks for this video. I have a steel gear model that the drag was frozen solid, got it cleaned up and back in action.
Love it - probably good to go for 70 years or so . . . Hope you have some great adventures with it.
What did you do to clean up the drag? I was able to get the spool off of mine and get it to turn but its still very rough when pulling drag
That was very thoughtful of you Sir
Thank you, Hector.
i love these old reels i have 4 of them tx ...god bless you...
Thank you rooster - very best of luck in your fishing!
Nice video Brother /G\. I just gave my 8 yr old son a Zebco 33. So far so good.
Good deal! Hope he's caught some great fish by now!
Great video, great info , and great Christmas 🎁. Enjoy!
Thanks Anysley! Happy fishing to you and yours!
I ended up ordering a big rivet one that says spinner on the cap for 18 bucks shipped on eBay that's supposed to be in good functional condition.thanks for the video.i have looked everywhere on how to tell if it's a metal body one and your video is the only place I could find it
Good on getting one and have a great time fishing with your new Zebco - it's a lot of fun!
Merry Christmas to you two! Nice present!
Thanks Big Al! Happy New Year!
It's funny that you call this "Grandpa's reel." I'm watching this because I need to rehab my old Zebco 33 that's been languishing in the garage for a long time. My grandfather gave it (and the pole it's on) to me when I was a kid. It was the first rod and reel I ever had that was just mine and that I didn't have to share with my siblings.
My experience exactly. It was given to me and I got to fish with Grandad in his little Sears Jon Boat and I was finally a big man (or so I thought). I still have the rod too. Good luck getting yours together!
Thanks, I learned a lot.
You're welcome - and best of luck with your fishing!
Thank you for the video. I have the small rivet base 33, what is the knob on the bottom left of my reel that says on-off purpose? You did clear up a lot of questions for about my Dads reel. He and I both are "Traveling Men" like yourself. He laid down his working tools years ago, but I have hung on to his reel like it is gold. Thanks again Brother.
You're welcome and good luck to both of you. That is the drag knob - I guess they didn't have room for "more" - "less" on that little knob so on off it was. If you want to fish with it, I'd suggest 8 lb. test mono instead of the 12 lb. usually found on them. Casts a whole lot farther and smoother in my opinion. Good luck fishing!
Merry Christmas to you both, be well!
Thank you - Merry Christmas and safe seas!
I love these reels i have one that ive had since i was a kid
Good deal! Hope you get out fishing with it still.
Done by the square brother!
Exactly!
Great video I have a old Zebco i bought off ebay that never worked right I need to dig it out
Absolutely! Overhauling these isn't tough at all. Good luck getting it back into fishing shape!
Hey boss, I stumbled on your videos trying to properly restore the (from what you said in the video, it might be a late-sixties through mid-seventies. Metal body, single rivet, steel gears) Zebco 33 that my Dad gave me a quarter century ago as my first ever rea reel.
He's gone now, and I've been going through and cleaning up his (well, my, but that still feels weird to say) old rods and reels and found this beauty.
First things first, that screw you mentioned not being able to get out before taking off the spool, that is not a screw sir. That is like a Z patterned brass pin that is slotted to fit over a tiny leaf-spring that lives inside the spool shaft. It adjusts the drag. Take the snap ring off the drag adjuster, unscrew and remove the drag adjuster and the spring, then pull the square brass block out the back, and the pin will follow shortly after.
Back to my reel though, I desperately want an authentic crank nut, to fix my clicker, and also a replacement brass washer that goes between crank handle and the case. Any ideas on how/where to get the clicker? Should I just buy the washer and nut from ACE, or try and find authentic parts?
Thanks for that Rufus, I'm sure it will help others. Parts: since Covid I don't know what to say about that anymore. It used to be I could get all the parts I wanted by buying old reels at the flea market here. Many of those didn't survive and there's far less activity at the ones that did. I now go any route that gets the reel going and I guess that's not terrible as my reels are for fishing, not collecting. I hope you have success getting yours back in shape as well.
Cool Zebco history! Merry Christmas, Mattson family!
Thank you John - and to your family as well!
Thank you sir,and Hope you have a Merry Christmas
Thanks for that and hope you have a Merry Christmas too!
Looking for help with getting the spring, brass washer, and metal lever back on the anti-reverse. Lever broke so fabricated a new one but getting it back together....argh!
It can be very tedious but the reward is great. Big fingers are not a help . . .
I was hoping for you to show how the drag system worked. Otherwise great video my daughter won’t use anything but 33’s so I have to be able to keep them working she can screw up the proverbial steel ball so after every trip I have some work to do.
James - the drag fixes are on another video - they're not hard. My wife won't use anything else either, she loves that 33!
Thank you for thus excellent repair tutorial. I need to know what to do when the anti-reverse stops working. Do you have any advice?
Tom - the anti-reverse lever simply lets a spring steel piece fall into a cog on the main shaft. Take the back off, see if it looks like the one in the vid (it has that piece) and if so, can you get it back in . . . hopefully so. Sometimes the steel simply gets bent back on itself and can be straightened with needle-nose, but if it is broken in half or not there at all, we're in another ballgame.
@@mattmattsongold thank you so much. I will give it a look. Edit: I took the reel apart cleaned and lubed, works fine. Yah!. My 33 has a plastic base and plastic parts inside, I guess it must be one of the last years before going to China.
I just picked up a really nice vintage 33 and except for needing a good cleaning it is extremely nice. The only problem I am having the arm nut keeps coming loose. Any suggestions???
Hope you got this solved - missed your message.
I have an old 33 Tulsa, OK reel that I fished as a kid. I'm wanting to refurbish but screw lock is missing and I cannot get cover to budge at all. Any ideas on how to get apart without damaging?
Yes - spray it with PB Blaster all over the cover to body and really try to get in that cover crack with it. Let it rest overnight and do it again the next day and on the third day try to take the cover off. That usually does it for even the most corroded of them. Wish you the very best in getting that reel going - would make a fine Christmas for sure!
Worked on a zebco 202 that was locked up after I worked on the 303. It didn’t go well at all, tried to remove the spool and the rear metal plate cracked right off in the plastic housing
Yikes!
Thanks for this video. I found a couple of these on ebay a few years, I think I might grease them up and fish with them. By the way, that a fine looking ring you have there Brother :)
You're welcome - and since you're a Brother I'll make this admission to you: I've seriously slowed down using my Grandfather's 33 and am now using a much younger reel. I've gone to the 1968 33 he gave me to use. I'm on a deep water reservoir now and simply don't want to lose Grandad's to the deep - so it is constrained to shallow water only now. Enjoy getting those in operation and very best of luck out there in every way!
Have you ever fixed a later model USA 33 with broken plastic ring on top that holds line when you push the botton.
Sorry Jason, afraid I have not. There is an active Zebco 33 forum on Facebook that has been helpful to quite a few people here (I'm not on it) - perhaps you can get some help there. Good luck getting it back working!
Cannot get the front cover off my old one. Tried strap wrench, slip joint pliers, oil, heat. Any suggestions? Lock is loose
If the drain hole isn't directly on the bottom, the cover might have been put on wrong and the stainless tits are outside of their grooves. Could be it's on cocked and stuck - that happens too. Spray some penetrant on it liberally and let it sit overnight - then go after it again with gloves on or the strap wrench. Don't want to bend the cover if possible - it's a very tight fit (therein is the problem).
@@mattmattsongold hole at bottom. Tried liberal penetrant. I'll try higher torque.
Well done Sir! Merry Cristmas :)
Thank you sir.
Just serviced my 33. One problem, the plastic arm that engages with the pinion and serves as the clicker on my model rides up on the pinion and disengages. I’m not sure why. Almost like the plastic tip has worn down and now too short?
I think you've hit the nail on the head - especially if you fish catfish with the clicker engaged most of the time. The older ones I show are all metal - perhaps you can fabricate something like you see here or in the other videos? Would be worth a shot if you absolutely have to have the clicker. Good luck getting it back into shape!
Thanks for the video,,and if you could tell me where to get parts for those old (and much better) reels I would greatly appreciate it,,,,I have my grandpa's old 33 that has the single rivet in the back and the made in tulsa USA and patent number on the back,,it is the first fishing reel I ever used when he would take me fishing in the creeks at our farm in ByGod West Virginia,,when I was about 3,,,,after that I grew up in Florida (thank God for that--talk about fishing back in those days here wow) but would go back to the farm every summer,,,he died when I was 6,,,and thankfully he left me his rod and reel,,,old Zebco 33 and a steel pole with cork handle,,,but when I got it,,,the line would just strip when I tried to reel anything in,,,,so it got mothballed for more years than I want to think about,,,,,I decided to fix it a few weeks ago but could not find the brass gears,,,so I bought another from Ebay that same vintage for a whop'n $12.99 plus 8 bucks shiping as a parts donner,,,,but now I do not just want to scrap that old reel since the new Zebcos are junk ,,I would like to fix it,,but need the gears and the little gear handle shaft retainer,,,,any help would be appreciated,,thanks -Phil
Phil: I get it - totally. When I'm fishing for bass it's either Grandad's reel, or I'm not fishing at all. I buy all the old junkers I see for parts - since they're all interchangeable, it's not hard to get parts if you need them (buy them at the flea markets, old junk shops, wherever you see one). That said: mikesreelrepair.com has schematics and a click link for parts as well - you could try him. Very best of luck keeping all that history fishing into the next century!
@@mattmattsongold Thanks for the info,,I also just fixed up my old Garcia 5500C that I have had since I was a kid,,,and bought an old pflueger graphite rod for it,,,the new stuff is junk,,I am only using the old stuff from now on,,
@@odpbodpb :"the new stuff is junk,,I am only using the old stuff from now on,," -- like I said, I get it - totally. When they start making stuff worth buying maybe I'll buy it, but with Grandad's reel in hand, I really don't think I'll need to. Very best of luck with your fishing!
I have Six that I've found at yard sales. Best ever made, they make the best beetle spinners, plastic worm and crappie jig reel. The low ratio retrieve is perfect for those applications. Still looking for orings and a fix for teardrop antiRev.
Wouldn't get rid of mine for anything - they're just rock solid and work every time. Nothing replaces it still.
Matt, on the video I watched you said you repair Zebco authentic 33 reels. I attempted fixing my sons, however something still seems wrong. Would you be willing to repair it?
Let's see if you can fix it - what seems wrong with it?
What great memories that brought back Matt. Thanks. Merry Christmas to you and Connie.
Thought you'd enjoy that - and hope you and yours are doing well and having a fine Christmas.
What size o ring do the old ones take and do you glue them in? Thanks
Jason: the answer is in the comments of this video (or one of the other 3) - don't have that info handy at the moment. I use a toothpick and very lightly apply contact cement to the mating channel. Don't go overboard - you can easily get away with applying just 4 drops in the N-S-E-W pattern. Too much and you'll have a mess (don't ask how I know that). Good luck getting it back in shape!
i found 2 with all black and steel chrome buttons they both looked a like and both had bras gears but one had a anti reverse switch with all black covers not chromes covers what do i have with the black covers and anti reveres switch and steel button and the other 33 didn't have a anti reverse but it looked like the other one
Andrew - good find and hope you get them out fishing. If you have one with no anti-reverse, it is 1956 or before. If the band around the housing is chrome - it is 1956. These were the smoothest of all. The front cover should have a noticeable smaller line exit hole than later models - but - as all these covers interchange, it can be tough to know whether your covers are issue, exchanged, or replaced by the factory (rear as well). The 1956 chrome models are the most beautiful of all - but they almost bankrupted ZEBCO, due to a flaw in most of them that resulted in the chrome flaking off. As a result - very few you will see pure chrome covers as most were sent back to the factory (this was the age they guaranteed everything for life). The one with the black button - brass gears - before 1968 - if you look inside and see two small holes at the ends of the push crossbar: that had feather touch. Feather touch was incorporated in 1957. If it has that and you ever have trouble - remove the two springs and use it like any other ZEBCO - they discontinued it as it wasn't really needed anyway (they feather a lure down on a lilly pad just fine as is). Hope all that helps!
@@mattmattsongoldi might do a video on both of them one day to show what i got
@@andrewhondo : Not a thing wrong with that. Good luck with the vid(s)!
I got some of these older one's somewhere from when I was a kiddo that were my grandpas I gotta find
But i got the blue plastic zebco 33.its been casting not as wll.i took it apart and it's full of sand but what I noticed .it doesn't have the o ring .it's got a tiny pipe cleaner wrapped around it.im pretty sure it came new like that because I bought it.do u thank it would be wortwhile to replace it with a o ring like the older ones had
I'd give the O-ring a shot. If it was full of sand and still working at all - must be pretty tough and worthy of keeping. Good luck getting it back in shape!
@@mattmattsongold the newer ones don't have a o ring.they have like a tiny pipe cleaner in place of the o ring even my omega one doesn't have a o ring
What's the safest way to clean the sand out? I have one that I have been using recently and it catches mid cast.
Hey I don't have Facebook either but I cannot figure out the drag on this real any suggestions?
Andrew - the small knurled knob on the bottom left is the drag - has arrows on the knob with "less" "more" -- and can get stuck when they cinch it all the way down for cat fishing or pulling the boat to a hung plug (the old-timers did the a lot). If it's stuck - the other video shows the guts a little better "Zebco 33 Guide Easy Fixes For Grandpa's Favorite Reel" -- now after watching that, if needed, you should be able to take the guts out, get to the drag and free it. It's a simple push/pull rod/cam type deal. Hard to explain - easy to figure once you see it. Good luck with getting it in shape!
Question about the push button rails I got the rhino I greased it took it apart cleaned it greased it oiled it every now and then when I push the button to let it go it just stops about 10 ft and that's it never had this issue before you know what would cause this and the best way to fix it would be
It sounds as if there's an issue with the clutch - see if you have a piece of grit that is keeping that from engaging fully. One of the guys here cleans his with diesel fuel - that might get whatever is holding it hour and do some light lube too. Worth a shot !
@@mattmattsongold i put on flro rather then mono to see what the hype was i dislike it fellow youtuber said that might be it going back to mono
@@jonwhite2706 : Thanks for that additional info, and I agree. Some of the modern lines are simply too slick for the O-ring system. The old Zebco reels work best with mono. Good luck with your fishing!
I did fix one o-ring by cleaning and using crazy glue to Stick back together
Not a bad way to do it - anything that works is good!
I have a black band all metal 33. 2 rivet There is no drag on it or am I missing something.
I have one with no anti-reverse. You're not missing anything, some of the very early ones didn't have certain features.
I cannot find an o-ring that fits. I tried 2 1/4OD and it’s too small. 2 3/8OD is too big. Any ideas?
Interesting - most of us don't have much problem with that so you might have something a little different - that said, see if you've got a hardware store or hydraulics shop that you can individually size one up. Take the plate in and get the right fit - and if that can't be done, cut an o-ring & glue it on the plate, seal the cut so line can't drop in it and it will work fine. Good luck catching when you get it fixed!
Thanks for the great video! Do you happen to know what size o-ring that is from Harbor Freight for the feather cast? I have 2 that wont hold the line to cast and would love to order some to get them up and running but cant get to a store to buy the mixed pack. Thanks!
Brad: if you have a regular hardware store, try them (we have "Marvins") - this will get you in the ballpark Outside Diameter: 2 5/16" ID: 2 1/16" thickness: 3/16" and see if you can match the exact thing (NAPA - whatever it takes) -- the kit I had from Harbor was an American standard (non metric) in a clear case and came with all different sizes. If you take the 0-ring plate with you, you'll be able to judge it a lot better on thickness (there's some latitude). Good luck with getting those back fishing! Caught a crappie with mine today.
@@mattmattsongold Thanks so much! Don't catch them all save some for the rest of us!
@@mattmattsongold , is the kit you're talking about from Harbor Freight? Does it have more than one o ring that size in the kit? Thanks for any information!
@@BobToplikar : yes, to both - but as Brad found none I gave the advice above and would to you as well - take it to a real hardware store and match it (they can do this exact - as I believe NAPA, etc. could). There is some wiggle room on thickness and thankfully they don't wear out for many many years. Good luck getting yours fishing again!
Hey Matt, have you ever considered joining the Facebook group Zebco Collectors ? I think you'd like the group.
Didn't know about that - but do now and wholly support their (your) efforts! Put that info on an update to this movie - thanks for informing me. Sometimes I feel like the last person in the world not on FB yet . . . Tell them hi for me.
I’m trying to find out how to because I caught one out if a lake
Well that was a lucky strike!
What size o ring does it take?
Ben: you will need a 2 1/4" OD 2" ID ring. The best thing to do is take your O-ring brake housing with you to the hardware store and buy a standard kit (there's usually a couple to 4 in the kit). Others have had success with both ACE and Harbor Freight for the rings. Good luck!
I have 2 of the first zebcos made, the model 11, and model 22 for sale
Ray if you can put a link to some pics of them it might help get them sold.
Do you repair reels for people?
I don't Brian - but there are more videos from myself and others here that should be able to help you do anything you need. These reels aren't complicated, it's just tedious work that takes time. Good luck!!!
@flagold the reel I have is Tulsa marked with steel gears. The issue I have is the anti-reverse metal piece is loose and after se eral casts it stops working. I can't really see how to tighten it. Also, what is the on/off switch on the left side below the little clicker button for?
@@brianwv64 : should be a good one then - and good for fishing many more years to come. The on/off dial is for your drag (Zebco 33 O-Ring & Drag Fixes shows all that). Loosen the cover screw if you haven't already, take the back off and operate your anti-reverse and see what is loose and tighten it. The early ones didn't have anti reverse at all so if there's a real issue with it you can disable that altogether until finding a junker for parts to fix.
I have a 33 with metal foot, made in the USA and there are 2 small rivets and the center frame is plastic, has steel gears. Can you tell me what year that is might be from???? THANX
After 1984 and possibly one of the "Rhino" reels. Even with a plastic body it is almost impossible to kill and very smooth. They simply stopped building it altogether to take care of the longevity problem. Good luck fishing with it - still a great reel.
@@mattmattsongold Thank you. I have it all apart and already degreased and cleaned. Going to lube and put it together then re spool this afternoon. I just pick up at garage sale yesterday with rod for $10.00.
Congratulations - you beat the system! You got a great reel, nothing much in it and a lot of fishing ahead. Total win win. Good luck with your fishing.
@@mattmattsongold THANX. All cleaned lubed and ready to get wet and slimy. Wet lines to you sir.
matt, can you help with my older 33. it has steel gears and the anti reverse came apart. When I opened the back, 3 parts were loose: a very fine wire spring, a steel U shape part with a hole at the bottom and a very short piece of black plastic with a tiny steel washer attached at one end. I don't know if any other parts escaped because I wasn't paying attention. From your videos I see the location of the U shaped part which engages with anti reverse teeth. But I don't understand how the exterior anti reverse "lever" engages/disengages the U shaped part. I've searched the online schematics but no answer. If you solve my problem or direct me somewhere I'd greatly appreciate your time.
Pat: doing this from memory because we're up in NY at the moment . . . That lever simply bumps that U shaped pin on the underside and engages it with the teeth as I recall. If you have anyone with any model 33 of this series, take the back off and see if you can match things up. If that's not possible, I'll be home in a few days and take a look at the model you have - let us know if you need further help.
@@mattmattsongold Thank you for quick reply. i can't figure out how to attach U shape part to body. in my mind the U shaped part has to be able to slide back and forth? Hope you can help further when you return home.
Pat: I have a picture of that part I can send to you - my email: mattmattson57 @ gmail.com
I don’t believe it’s spinning correctly. Let me be honest though, this is the first time I have ever done this. I only know what your video said. I really am just trying to save this for my son since it came from his grandpa.
That's perfectly OK - I'd recommend you watch this video on models: th-cam.com/video/Tg917tVFrM8/w-d-xo.html and this one on gears: th-cam.com/video/ru122KcdLsE/w-d-xo.html -- when you have that digested, one thing we do know is Grandpa's reel has all the parts in it right now so it probably will work. On the left (as you're looking at the thumb button) near the foot is the drag - back it off two full turns if tight (the "less" direction - loosen) - look at the little button in the middle on the left (clicker) click it down (off) - on the right side near the foot there may or may not be a lever (anti-reverse) - click that forward (off) - seem to reel smoother? If not - 99% of the time there's a line problem in the front of the reel and it's simply a matter of pulling line out to untangle it. If not all of that - there is an active Zebco 33 classic fishing forum on FB (I'm not on FB) and we may find someone near you to look at it. Connie and I live in the middle of nowhere Alabama now and we absolutely cannot trust the services for anything valuable like your heirloom. Fear not - you evidently have a complete reel - and it should work fine.
Can I send you one of my zebco reel for repair?
I think I answered you on another reply (hope so) and if not - hope you got it working through the multiple videos here. Good luck!
Mine's made in usa but is also plastic ?
202, 33, 404 or ? Could be - Zebco made a lot of fishing reels and plastic models of their own right here. I really target the USA steel and brass constructed models from introduction until 1970's.
I've went through dozens of cans of carb cleaner and never cleaned a carburetor with it.
I know exactly what you mean - true of my situation as well.
Still can’t get mine to let out line after pushing the button... I don’t know what else to do. 🤦🏻♂️
OK - you push the button and let it go and it won't let out line? Take the face plate off and press the button - does it go out? If not it's stuck or there's a problem with the push-button linkage. Look at the plate that holds the O-ring carefully (the clutch) - look for the pawls that go into the housing on the back side of the reel (take off the back cover now) - free? Should be. Been lubed? Should be. Keep working backwards from the O-ring plate like that and you will come to the problem (another - if you have feather touch (two springs on the gear side of the reel on the clutch plate activation plates - and one of those springs is off so the plate is cocked - it will not pay out line) solution: take the other spring off and the reel will operate normally (as all other 33's do). Good luck!
Matt Mattson It seems to work without the top face plate. Albeit it I don’t have much weight in the end of the 2lbs. test line on it. But it lets out some and reels it back... just not with the top face plate.
@@n0llie OK - is the faceplate dented, corroded, out of round or just needs cleaning up? Seems the problem is there. That is a very tight fit by design to keep the line coming on the spool. I would look to fix that first. I'm assuming you meant 12 lb test - they were made for 12 but 10 works better if you're having fit problems (and you can go 8).
Matt Mattson No I meant 2lbs. Haha! It’s what I had laying in front of me when I was troubleshooting. Just put on some 12lbs test though and it works like a charm! Thanks for you help!!
If anyone was looking for an O-ring I picked up a 2-3/8 in x 2 1/8 in x 1/8 in at Home Depot for like $2! Fits perfectly.
@@n0llie I'm so glad you got it going! Good info on the O-ring too. Good luck with your fishing!
Can you please help mine doesn’t reel in
First - don't force anything . . . The front cover can get cocked and stop you from reeling - look at that first. Unloosen the lock, take the front cover off - look at the spool, a lot of times there's a tangle in there you can't see without taking line off - so do that and check. No go, take the back cover off and spray it out with Blaster or WD-40 (whatever) so you can see the gears, clicker (on the left as you're looking at it), and anti-reverse mechanism (on the right as you're looking at it). Either one of these last can get jammed occasionally and cause what you have. The center gears can get meshed if the screw on your right (on that mounting post) becomes loose - but that's unusual compared to the rest. Most times - it's simply the cover coming loose and getting cocked. Good luck!!
Do you know of anyone that can work on a feathertouch?
George: I can work on it - and so can you. The "feather touch" feature is simply two springs on the end of the activator bar. There are clips there and Zebco never did get that feature robust enough to last - it was quickly discontinued. If you take the springs off - you have a normal Zebco 33 of that era. If the springs are still there and one is off - put it back into the slot (magnification helps). If one is broken - your best bet is simply taking the other off and the reel is fully fishable again. Hope that helps!
@@mattmattsongold I took it apart, but it's still stiff winding.
@@georgehummingbird6702 - Ok, that's not anything to do with the feather-touch. That can be as simple as the housing isn't on right to as complex as the gears aren't meshing right. There's an L shaped piece on the winding stem that sets the gear mesh - normally we don't have to fool with it but if you took it all the way apart, that may be the issue. You've got it all lubed I assume. If worse comes to worse you can send it to me, just not right now and I don't know when - we've moved and everything is in limbo right now. Do let us know if you get it solved and what the issue was. Good luck!
Hı matt ı have lıke thıs but there is not one piece
Look in flea markets - they are ubiquitous - get your parts from an old junker (or if you're a machinist or inclined - make them). Good luck!
Takes a licking and keeps on ticking. These old 33's are very well made. The new Chinese reels are garbage. I grew up on these old reels and also the old Mitchell 300 reels and the ambassadeur 5000. I don't use anything else..
Obviously - I agree. There's a reason the new ones can be found in tubs at the flea market for a buck and the old ones in prime shape still fetch what they were when new. Hope you're still reeling them in with your 33's as I and many others are.