Zebco 33 Guide Easy Fixes For Grandpa's Favorite Classic Fishing Reel Fix Repair Restore Lube Video

[@brianberry7726]

I was able to repair two of my fathers Zebco reels due to the information on this video. A model 606 and 33. Thank you so much it is appreciated.

[@mattmattsongold]

That is wonderful Brian! Glad you were able to save them!

[@JimmyB643]

Thanks for the lesson! Just picked a Zebco Rod & Reel combo from the flea market for $8 bucks! It’s a Zebco 366-6 rod with a brass geared Zebco 33. After watching your videos, I was able to bring my reel back to life! The nice thing about casting these old ones, is that I feel like I have something solid and dependable in my hand that deserves respect, as opposed to a piece throw-away junk made in China! No more disposable reels for me!

[@mattmattsongold]

Excellent - saved another one!!! Good for you - these reels feel special because they are special - someone made it, checked it, and was very proud of their work and 60 years later it still shows. Good on you for saving that reel - it will likely last far past you as well as the first owner(s). BTW, my saltwater reel is 80 . . . kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y6HVh2uLpr-Lf7c

[@riverbender9898]

Thanks for more of your wealth of information Matt.

[@mattmattsongold]

You two hang in there!

[@adnacraigo6590]

I appreciate your time and information.

[@mattmattsongold]

Thanks Adna, hope it helps to keep your reels going strong!

[@sirjhonson8218]

All the new spinncast reels are junk now. You have to buy an old Zebco and repair it if you want a good reel. My wife and kids can only use those type of reels so I go to the pawn shop to buy them.

[@mattmattsongold]

Good deal!

[@andrewhondo]

iv got a few of these late 50's reels i found a late 50's odd ball 33 2 of them one in all black and chrome button with no anti reverse and another all black with chrome button late 50's with a anti reverse switch with all brass gears got them both for a steal in some what good enough shape to fish with

[@mattmattsongold]

No anti-reverse is early - 56 or earlier (chrome is 56). Good deal.

[@jimmycourteaux4900]

Thanks

[@mattmattsongold]

You're welcome.

[@justabluecollarguy2721]

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???

[@catboyzee]

Very cool and informative video, thanks for posting.

[@mattmattsongold]

You're welcome - hope it helps you.

[@Eagle457-PS]

Matt Mattson: do you have a site to order parts? I have two older 33’s one with the incorrect handle and other is missing the handle. Thanks in advance!

[@mattmattsongold]

I don't - there used to be a "Mike's Reel Repair" (and may still be) - but anymore I look for every junker I can find and assume you're doing the same. Good luck trying to match handles - can be a challenge for sure!

[@seymourwrasse3321]

nice ring, mine has a blue stone

[@mattmattsongold]

I would have picked that as well - but this one is special, it belonged to my great-uncle: Roy Baker. He was a silent film actor (extra) - down on his luck he walked into a hotel in Miami and the manager said: "Where have you been?" Turns out their recent mail order hired hotel manager had failed to show - after hearing this Uncle Roy looked at him and said: "You're in luck - I just happen to be a hotel manager." He went on to become hotelier to the stars of that age and had hotels in Kennebunkport, Lake Placid NY, Lake Placid Fl, Sebring, Fl, Miami and who knows where else. Each had rides and amusements like Disney. He's listed in the who's who of hoteliers and part of his story is here on KZbin in "An Immigrant's Tale" about the early Mattson Family. I hope you have a fine time in your travels!

[@jamaniandjaquesps1389]

I use old Penns for saltwater and 33s for freshwater fishing, Even from wayback i k ew there was sumtin special about those single rivet brass gear 33s, i got 6 and i always get complements and stories when people pass by at the lake. Easy to fix fun to use, key is to pick up every old one you run across

[@mattmattsongold]

key is to pick up every old one you run across -- that's the bottom line right there! Good luck with your fishing & adventures.

[@Aminamohamed0719]

I have a vintage Zebco RT series RT601, where is the spring located? I can’t find ANYTHING on this model - please help

[@mattmattsongold]

Wish I could help with this one - maybe some of our viewers can. Very best of luck with it!

[@arthurrogers96]

My line holder had a brass snap ring type thing holding it in...doesn't appear to be the same as what you are working with

[@mattmattsongold]

OK - some have a tab. Good luck with your reel!

[@nboldrini]

I have a Zebco 89 with a whitish coating. It is very difficult to remove this coating. It seems to be a soft material. A finger nail will scrape through it easily but sanding seems to help. Have you encountered this problem and how can I get the reel to look nice without having to resort to painting it?

[@mattmattsongold]

I have not had that happen. Let us know what worked - others probably do come across that issue.

[@pauljones639]

Where can I order new Orings??? Im trying to rebuild my late father's 1950s 33. the Oring crumbled in my hands

[@mattmattsongold]

www.walmart.com/ip/XBVV-1008-Pcs-SAE-O-Ring-Kit-32-Sizes-USA-Standard-Nitrile-70A-Rubber/1182014818?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=101247834&adid=222222222221190373176_10001267194_1164384698033785_pla&wmlspartner=wmtlabs&wl0=e&wl1=o&wl2=c&wl3=72774347087277&wl4=pla-4576373583358247&wl5=&wl6=&wl7=&wl10=Walmart&wl11=Online&wl12=1182014818_10001267194&wl14=ace%20hardware%20sae%20o-ring%20kit&veh=sem&msclkid=4cedbc60572a1e4ffcc8dae1b91168d1 -- what most of us do is get an O-ring kit (after measuring the brake ring diameter). I got mine from ACE, but any that have a workable ring in them will do. It may or may not have the exact feel - but will work and we get used to it until it's normal. There are other options as well, outlined in the other video on Zebco 33 O-ring & Drag fixes. I do hope you are successful!

[@Bobbykirk100]

I have a zebco model 55 I’ve had for years and want to fix but I haven’t found anything on that particular reel so what’s the difference in the 33 and 55

[@mattmattsongold]

Bobby: the parts in it are heavier, beefier, to stand up to bigger fish. There are many people unaware your reel even exists! Follow the guide here and "Zebco 33 gear removal" vid - they'll work for your reel too (just don't lose any parts!) - excellent reel you have, good luck.

[@juanolvera6637]

Mine is the plastic one in the top left of the beginning of the video the problem with mine is that the reel doesn’t move at all any chance that you could help

[@mattmattsongold]

Juan: these reels are very similar in operation - between this and the 'Zebco 33 gear removal" video I did you should be able to get yours apart. If it doesn't move at all, there's a chance someone cinched the drag (if it has one) down all the way. You could have some line stuck or wrapped in the faceplate or in the gears. In any event, taking it apart will tell the tale. Hopefully it's not stripped gears and you can get it working quickly with lube. Best of luck with it!

[@brucegordon4924]

Great Video, Thank You! I have a 56 model in black, it does not make a click when I engage the crank to wind back. Is that normal for those models?

[@mattmattsongold]

No - if you have a clicker on the left and engage it, it should do the click thing - if you don't have a clicker and the reel is all black (metal), you have an much earlier model and it is normal. If you have a truly old one - I might consider retiring it, as they're getting scarce.

[@brucegordon4924]

@@mattmattsongold It does have the left side click for still fishing. It does not have the anti-reverse and after I cast it does not click when it engages for the line retrieve like later models. It is in good shape and use it very little picked it up at a pawn shop a few years back for $15.00. Thank You for the info and video.

[@frankfremont3434]

I've found old 33s at pawn shops and flea markets and never pass one up. Majority just need some cleaning, grease, and a little TLC they will last and last. Maybe a week short of forever.

[@mattmattsongold]

You're right about that Frank - most need very little attention at all and they're right back to doing what they do best! Happy fishing.

[@pescaydetodounpoco8099]

My brake on my reel zebco 33 rino does not work, as do I find it in a video where I explained how

[@mattmattsongold]

I hope you got it fixed, I missed your post - the first one in the series covers that on normal 33's.

[@franklinchambers5609]

How do I get my top cover to stay on? I keeps popping off when I cast.

[@garrettlauzon1656]

Check the lock screw. If it's not tightened, that can happen. If it is tightened and it still doesn't hold, the lock screw needs to be replaced. Hope this helps 🖒

[@adrunkcaliburn457]

got my grandpas old 33, looks similar your 67 reel, and i went to restring it, but now the drag is always allowed to pull out about the same, whether the dial is on or off, my guess is that i put it back together wrong, any ideas?

[@adrunkcaliburn457]

figured it out the little bent piece of metal fell out, but i found it and fixed it. the only downside is that I realize it isnt a 67, though it looks similar, it has a plastic body, (which is cracking), any fixes? other than buying a different reel with the metal housing.

[@mattmattsongold]

Plastic body - pretty much get out the old JB Weld . . . You can of course try a soldering iron and melt the plastic back together. If it's a non-critical (flexing is the problem) area, you can get away with that. Good luck!

[@jamaniandjaquesps1389]

Technical Note: Don't put a lot of pressure on the spool once you take it out and start cleaning I cracked one pretty easily scrubbing with a wash cloth. Use an old tooth brush, the spool is a thin alloy aluminum that gets brittle with age

[@mattmattsongold]

Good tip.

[@isaiah....3200]

I don’t know how to take apart the one with the stripes? Do you use the screw.

[@mattmattsongold]

Unlock the cover? Yes - they all do that.

[@jacktristan1]

great video! i have one like your 56. the only difference is the front cover says zebco 33 not spinner. i was wondering if you might know the year?

[@mattmattsongold]

Thanks - I don't, and since the front (and back) covers are interchangeable (readily) for all years, it makes it hard to figure out for sure what you've got unless looking at the body itself. Markers are brass gears - steel gears - feather touch - no anti reverse - things like that.

[@jacktristan1]

thank you matt. I found out that it's a 55 or 56 brass gears no antireverse and such. someone put new covers on it. I really enjoyed the video and it helped fix a few other reels I had. good luck to you and good fishing.

[@ASkiingHippo]

Thank you Sir, great information. BTW I am not on Facebook either!

[@mattmattsongold]

Excellent!

[@garrettlauzon1656]

Great Video Matt! Question: If the metal tab that makes the drag click is broken, will that hurt the reel ?

[@mattmattsongold]

Not at all - that's just the clicker. Have fun fishing with it!

[@worldradio234texas9]

What does ur grandfathers reel say on the bottom of the foot?

[@mattmattsongold]

ZEBCO COMPANY PAT. 2675193 TULSA OKLA (all caps)

[@terrybest8973]

soak it in oily gas you know diesel clean it allout to cause people do not know if you do not tell them but good job old buddy

[@mattmattsongold]

Thanks for that tip, Terry.

[@terrybest8973]

@@mattmattsongold hey thats what i do get all that old grease out cause the now days oils and grease are was better a old 33 could now last another 1000 years if took care of right you know

[@mattmattsongold]

@@terrybest8973 : may have found a solution for your 80-90 reels. ADFORS is .140 screen channel rubber - $3.25 at Walmart (that's all we've got near here). That is splined just like the original O-rings. If you can cut that to fit, and rejoin so it's smooth - might just do it. Worth a shot if you've got a bunch to repair (again I only have older reels to keep going). Good luck!

[@terrybest8973]

@@mattmattsongold but that ring id riveted on with the rubber ring runs through the metal that has been riveted to the vail how can it be fixed to the vail look at a 90s real and you will see what i mean and a hole for the inter spring arm it has to clear i cantsee how to atach it with out creating some kind of fat o ring you can screw to it

[@terrybest8973]

@@mattmattsongold you are right for a fact the old 33 are the best and you can get a big o ring for the brake from any auto parts store but the newer ones with the brake on the front just fall apart after 20 years im just going to go all old ones it is ashamed though if the newer 80s and 90s ones had the line brake betwean the real and vaile like the old ones thear would be no problems but like you said if it breas they can sale more lol lol yes it is so i know but what ashamed if it was my company i would want to be the best and build the best like they did a long time ago yes that would be great

[@leonpatterson7192]

My zebco 33 front part keeps coming off when I cast

[@mattmattsongold]

Make sure you've tightened the lock screw.

[@terrybest8973]

no not all the same the brakes on the newer 80s models suck that little rubber brake falls apart and then you are screwed but the old ones you can put a big Oring on them for a brake and the older ones last foreve if took care of but them from the 80 and 90 with the rubber brake on the vail always rot and fall apart if they made a replacement that would be freat but nope they wont do that just how it is i only have the old ones with the brake arms running to the vail and the brass ones are the best

[@mattmattsongold]

The old reels were lasting so long they tried to design obsolescent parts into it so they'd have repeat sales. In the end - abandoned the whole thing and sent it to China to cheapen. Perhaps there is a standard 0 ring that could be found and glued into position on those reels with rubber cement? I know that ring on those is flattened - but seems a smaller thickness 0 might do the trick. You've probably tried all the combinations by now though.

[@benhart6531]

Ive picked up some of these and a few dont have the o ring, what size o ring are u guys using on em?

[@terrybest8973]

@@benhart6531 I'm not sure just go to a parts place and bring your vail if it's close you can use a little glue to glue it in the ring or just get some o ring making rope like stuff I'm not sure what it's called but like I ring it's just a roll of it make sure it's skinny enough or the o ring is skinny enough

[@terrybest8973]

line brake line brake no clutch

[@mattmattsongold]

Thanks Terry.