Abu Ambassadeur 6501 C3 fishing how to reel take apart and service step by step

This video shows how to take apart and service the Abu Ambassadeur 6501 C3. The process can be followed for most Ambassadeur reels. The 6501 is the left hand crack vs the 6500 which reels with the right hand.
I have been servicing fishing reels for over 20 years and am sharing my experiences here. If you enjoy the video, please "like" it. If you want to see more, please subscribe.
Questions? Comments? I reply to all.
Thank you for viewing - Dennis
[e-mail]
www.2ndchancetackle.com
Lynne - this is one of your reels!

[@ConRodsAndRustedBods]

Thanks so much for this video, helped out so much. Even though this video was uploaded 2 years ago it is still providing helpful tips even today. Once again thanks for very informative video.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Glad it helped! The video is an older version, but the reel is older than the video, so it should still be relevant. Thanks for the note and for watching - Dennis

[@Thewarhorse47]

Great video, I saw one that removed and cleaned the worm gear so I'm now armed with the knowledge to do my own reel. Thanks.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Glad it helped, Best wishes for great fishing after you service yours - Dennis

[@griddlingrandpa7601]

I've learned a lot since finding your channel. Thanks for sharing! I actually fixed an old diawa magforce reel that you have a video on with the anti-reverse. had it in storage for 20 years and wouldn't use it. Now it gets a second chance.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Great to hear! That is what this channel is about. Getting reels fishing again. Thank you - Dennis

[@2ndChanceTackle]

I will add it to my list. I do not have any at this time. Thanks asking. Dennis

[@ncuria]

acabo de ordenar uno de estos en amazon, antes de volver a Argentina. Espero que no venga con fallas. Estuve averiguando y aparentemente únicamente los modelos C3 y C4 siguen siendo fabricados en Suecia y por ende dicen Made in Sweden, los demas, son Chinos y, segun la gente, baja notablemente la calidad y aumentan las fallas. Espero que esté correcto. Gracias por le video, me va a servir para cuando deba limpiarlo, un saludo!

[@thiagorodrigues-fb1jq]

Carretilha top!!!!

[@texasplumr]

I have two 6500 C3 reels that are the same age. I use the clickers when I fish because I'll have three or four rods out at the same time and the clickers help me know when I have a fish on, if I'm not paying attention. My issue with these reels is one of them is very difficult to engage and disengage the clicker. I have to dig my thumbnail under it to get it to move. I haven't taken the side plate off so I was hoping to get a closer look at the clicker here. Oh well, I'm going to service them soon because the season is upon us, once again. I hope that I just find something misaligned. But it has been like that since I took it out of the box last year. Thanks for the video! It's the first one I've seen on the 6500 C3 series of reels. Other than that one issue, they've both worked flawlessly!

[@2ndChanceTackle]

That hard clicker issue an almost always be fixed with a good spray of penetrating oil and working the button in and out. It is almost always the result of dirt or dried salt or something that helps to degrade the performance - Give that a try when you take the side plate off - Dennis

[@upyoursassmonkey]

Thanks for the video. I pulled my old 6501 out of the closet after years of sitting and my free spool lever won't budge, looks like it's in for a teardown.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

It is most likely dried grease. Don't force anything, just take it apart and see what is up. Good luck and thanks for watching - Dennis

[@upyoursassmonkey]

The small gear on the spool shaft was completely stuck I had to pry against the collar with a screwdriver to get the shaft loose. Abu Garcia must've been low on grease the day they made that reel.

[@victorremick9721]

YOU SURE MAKE IT LOOK EASY

[@2ndChanceTackle]

I try to take the intimidation factor out of the videos so you can do it too! Thanks for watching - Dennis

[@joefish63]

Hi Dennis. You mention that these reels have fabric washers. Would swapping them with a carbon fiber washer improve on the drag...and is there a carbon fiber washer that will work with these Ambassadeur's?

[@2ndChanceTackle]

The carbon washers will improve performance by limiting stick and slip. They are available through EBAY or Smoothdrag.com. The carbon washers. will not increase max drag. - Dennis

[@bravozulucomms]

Nicely done vid- really useful, many thanks. Would like to know what grease you use for fibre washers and what type/weight of light oil-penetrating oil? sewing machine oil. Thx

[@2ndChanceTackle]

I only use fishing reel oil for maintenance. I use Penn Precision oil and greases as well as Cal's drag grease and Reelx oil. I don't have much of a preference as long as it is made for fishing reels. Thanks for asking - Dennis

[@phoneowner1087]

when the freespool "button" is depressed......does the line guide stay stationary when the spool rotates? I know the 5500 series freespool function engages the line guide.....in other words when you cast the line guide moves back and forth as the spool rotates and line leaves the reel. That feature is great when reeling in the line but signifigantly hinders casting distance and ease of operating when freespooling. Found a nice used one for $25 6501-3.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

No, this one is driven by the spool on the non-gear side plate, so the line guide moves when the spool turns in free spool or retrieve. You are right, it does cut sound on spool speed and casting distance - Thanks for asking - Dennis

[@georgikostadinov4936]

Hi Dennis. I have Abu Garcia C3 6501. I'm in the middle of upgrading it, but I don't know how to remove the 6 pin centrifugal break system in order to replace the bearing on that side. Is there a spring that holds that plastic ring with the 6 tips (I could not see one)? Thanks!

[@2ndChanceTackle]

The non gear side of the spool simply snaps in. To remove it you need to grab it firmly and pull up while rocking it back and for the. The gear side of the spool is held in with a "C" circle clip inside the assembly that holds the two brakes. You can see the schematic here s7d5.scene7.com/is/content/purefishing/Abu%20Garcia/Schematics/6501C3%200104.pdf for clarification - Dennis

[@FORMULA_376]

Can you make a video on a Berkley 420 if you have one

[@StragglyAphid]

I believe I asked in the past, apologies for the repeat question, I can't remember what you advised. Looking for a Shimano TLD 25 (level drag) maintenance video (tear down and oil/lube). What video of yours do you advise to check out that would be closest to this reel? Thanks in advance. Good job on the vid's!

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Try the one on the Triton 50 You can view it here kzbin.info/www/bejne/gmKnfmabqrB9sM0. Thanks for watching - Dennis

[@allenbmooresharinginformation]

Love to see you do a version with a clicker too. Is there any difference besides dimensions for the process with a 5501?

[@2ndChanceTackle]

It is basically the same reel if it is the C3 version. Thanks for asking - Dennis

[@markdelacruz2097]

Another great video! Got my 6501 out of the garage, took it apart, cleaned, oiled and greased, but I can’t get the release to pop back up when I start to crank the gear. It looks like the free spool lever engages but it doesn’t re-engage. I did notice that it did not have a drive shaft shim.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Check to see if the release pops up when the side plate is removed from the reel. Just push it down and then turn the gear shaft to trip it. If it trips off of the reel, but not on it, check how you are mounting it to the rel. If it doesn't trip, you need to go back inside the reel. Take the side plate cover off, depress the free spool button and check to see what is happening. And yes, you should have a gear shaft washer on the bottom. - Dennis

[@markdelacruz2097]

@@2ndChanceTackle Thanks Dennis. I opened the side plate, pushed the release down, turned the gear and it doesn’t trip. When I depress the spool button, it frees pools, turn the gear and the clutch arm (I think that’s what it’s called) doesn’t catch the gear to re-engage. The clutch are is either not touching that toothed washer underneath the main gear. Seems like the clutch arm is just moving freely and not aligned

[@markdelacruz2097]

I can also manually pull out the release to engage the spool again

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Check to make sure the click ratchet under the main gear is sitting square on the gear post. When you look under the main gear from the bottom, you should see that ratchet and you should also see where the free spool arm intersects with it in the down position. Start there. The ratchet sits on a square on the bottom of the shaft. If it is off position, it will not align with the trip lever

[@coryhall668]

How hard would you rate taking this reel apart an cleaning I just Acquired a 6501 C3 an it sounds like I have some build up around the bearing or dirt caught up in it still turns fine an drag works great wanting to make sure it works an is functioning a 100% befor Fishing with it

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Depends on how mechanically inclined you are. If you can handle the tools, then it is not that difficult. Maybe a 4-5 on a scale of 1 - 10 - Dennis

[@coryhall668]

@@2ndChanceTackle do you have a email or would you be willing to go over it an fix it if I pay

[@PaulThomae]

can the UC 6501c reel be change from left hand to right hand?

[@2ndChanceTackle]

No

[@bsdgffishtuna5186]

Dennis - do you need brake blocks? I've got an older abu and just wonder why they are there...I'm pretty good at casting...are they important..thank you

[@2ndChanceTackle]

No you don't need them. A lot of folks remove them so that they can cast further. The brakes are designed to eliminate backlash by slowing the spool more evenly. If you are having an issue with backlash, go ahead and replace those that are missing. If you don't have an issue, leave it as is. Thanks for asking - Dennis

[@georgikostadinov4936]

Do I need to use a special grease and oil for my C3 6501 reel?

[@2ndChanceTackle]

use a fishing reel grease and a fishing reel oil. The manufacturer is less important. I use the Penn Precision reel grease and oil, but there are several on the market and all will work fine. - Dennis

[@georgikostadinov4936]

@@2ndChanceTackle I also noticed you use a little bit of "Cal's universal dry grease" for washers. Why not use the grease you use for the gears?

[@jonathanhayward3013]

How strong are these reels compared to Shimano corvalus ?

[@2ndChanceTackle]

These are as strong or stronger than the Corvalus. I like both. - Dennis

[@Motorjock45]

How much do you charge to rebuild them I have 5 or 6 of them

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Gerry - please send me a note to my email [e-mail] for repair information. Thanks for asking - Dennis

[@francocastillo9693]

I have a 65 reel that I don’t know what model I have by that I mean don’t know what model how do I find what I have I’m anew at this channel can you please help

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Please send me a few pictures of the reel to my email [e-mail] and I will try to help. Take close up pictures of the two side plates - Thank you - Dennis

[@annoyingbstard9407]

You don’t need to remove those brake blocks on newer models like this - they can just be slid upwards out of the way.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

You are correct. Thanks for the info. I hate the ones that fall out as soon as you pull off the side plate. The slide is a definite improvement - Dennis