Zebco 33 Vintage Service: Over 50 years old?

Servicing a 50+ year old Zebco 33. I explain how this vintage reel works and service and clean it. Basically it is nearly like new when finished.

[@larryreese6146]

Make sure to loosen the drag when you take off the spool. I didnt and it took me all day to finally figure out the reason the spool wouldnt go back on. The brake set wouldnt work on mine. A thorough cleaning and it worked like a charm. They're tough old reels. Had mine since 1960s. The only thing that will tear them up is lost parts or lack of proper care.

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Good tip! I am going to pin your comment. Thank you!

[@larryreese6146]

@@OutFishing13Matthew thanks for your reply. For some reason the 909 I wrote you about must have gone back in cinque, or had some help from a friendly spirit. The brake has been working perfectly for weeks. Trouble is that now my kids have found out I've developed an interest in tinkering with old reels theyve started collecting and bringing them to me. I'm now covered up with old reels, almost all of them in good working order, after they've been cleaned up or a spare part put on them. I dont have enough rods to put them on or enough space to store them. But it's been fun. Thanks.

[@borderex9993]

just picked up one of these vintage 33s for $1 at a flea market. love how it says " american craftsmanship" had to get it

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

They are super durable and cleaned up can still give you years of service. Thanks for sharing and commenting.

[@BobToplikar]

I really liked your video! Say, if you ever want to take one apart a little further-that crossbar that pushes the brake assembly out to pinch the line when you push in and hold the button to cast---- if you push one side of the crossbar down, you can pop the bar end out of the brake assembly, then go to the other side of the crossbar, and do the same thing. Then, you can lift the crossbar assembly completely out of the reel, which will enable you to easily remove the ring and pinion gears out of the reel, and makes it easy to do additional inspecting, cleaning, and greasing. If you take the pinion gear(the small gear) out of the reel, make sure that you don't lose the little washer/spacer that is between the gear and the lexan(plastic) body of the reel. I really like these old reels. I never could afford one when I was a kid, so now that I'm an old guy, I've bought a few of them off of e-bay, and have been refurbishing them and having fun fishing with old, but almost good as new equipment from my youth!

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Robert, Thank you for the long post and details! Always great to hear from another Zebco enthusiast. After servicing this reel, I got the same instructions from someone at Zebco Collectors to completely service the reel and remove the line brake. Thanks for the tip! Isn't it amazing these reels were so pricey back in those days? Now they are super cheep and most are cheeply made. I am glad I have collected a few of these nice vintage reels and there are guys who can help service them and find parts when needed. I plan on taking this out and catching some big cat fish with it! Watch for a video.

[@soupbonep]

Thanks for the tip! I'm cleaning one that I just got and getting that out will make it so much easier to clean the gears.

[@christopherwelch5568]

When I started fishing again a few years ago I used a Zebco 33. I caught a lot of fish and by the end of the summer it broke. I bought it because I had an Uncle that had one in this video when I was a kid and it was the one and only reel he used. I fish an Abu C3 now but I have a Zebco 33 Platinum as a backup and it's made of all metal parts and works like the old ones did. These old reels remind me of fishing when I was a kid in the late 70s.

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Awesome. Thanks for sharing and commenting

[@jasonrunyon2663]

This is the same exact reel I was telling you about that my Dad has and will not let it go. How can I blame him?? LOL Again Matthew, thank you for your great advice and videos!!

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

cool. I like the old reels. thanks for commenting.

[@donnadixon8991]

thank you sir.....i really enjoyed the video.....i hope to see you service vintage zebco 404.....thank's again.....

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

John, I have one in the works. It is a little newer of a 404, but I think they were pretty much the same.

[@jimdirt9644]

I have 2 of these and i think a 909 from late 50s my grandmother used. good vidio thanks

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Very cool! Thanks for watching.

[@brianbailey4540]

That thumb mechanism and shaft comes out easy. Just push one of the legs over and it pops right out then you can clean everything. Goes back very easy.

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Thanks for the tip! I need to do a new video on this old reel.

[@fernandomarcano6267]

Cleaning one I found yesterday. It was on a short heavy steel pole with a heart emblem GEP ROD. Seems to be in amazing shape though.

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Very nice!

[@tomritter493]

Had one of these since 1974 . Still working ..I love it had two my other one the rubber stay for the line wore out . But this one's is like new .

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Cool. I learned some things about servicing it after the video. Like it is really easy to take the line break off.

[@andrewhondo]

my 82 33l takes apart the same way just like the old zero hour Tulsa bombers fantastic deign of reels these older zeb were simple to clean and fixs compared to the newer ones

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

They are great reels and with regular service will last a very long time.

[@clintonr97]

The center shaft is easy to take out , you just push the clutch leg over and Un-clip one side of the bar, then do the same with the other. That bar and center shaft pull out together. Then you take the gear adjuster off pull the main gear (the one the handle is screwed to ) out towards were the handle would be in order to clear the pinion gear, then you can pull it out after all that’s out you can pull the main gear out. Make sure you readjust the gears after assembly.

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Thanks for the tip. I learned that later from a Zebco forum. This was my first old reel like this. I need to redo it now that I know better.

[@stephenmyers8997]

Just inherited my grandfathers from my dad. Looks identical.

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Awesome. Clean it up. They work great!

[@ken48827]

At least from the late 1050's. My dad had one when he bought a Zebco 202 for me when I was 7 or 8 years old. That makes this one over 60 years old. I still have a couple of working ones I use for gills.

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Nice. It is a neat reel. I have it on an old glass Zebco rod. Need to get it out once in a while.

[@popawalker]

I still have the 33 my dad gave me for graduation in 1971. It's not usable though as the place where the foot rivots to the plastic frame cracked and the foot pulled off. I also still have two rhino reels I bought for my children in the 80's so they could learn to fish. I recently gave one of my granddaughters a 33 rod and reel combo since she wanted to start fishing. First time out with it and she caught some bluegills with it.

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Awesome. You might try finding another frame for your old 33 and see if you can fix it up. Might be worth it. Thanks for sharing the story about getting grandkids out fishing. Kids love to have fun fishing.

[@popawalker]

@@OutFishing13Matthew I looked a couple of years ago but couldn't locate a frame. I also have several 33's that I take to a camp for children with cancer, and other camps for various conditions. A lot of the campers really love to fish after they experience it the first time. It's a pure joy to pass on the love of fishing to a new generation.

[@garyeckert6161]

@@OutFishing13Matthew they do sell parts on ebay

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

@@garyeckert6161 Thanks for the tip. I found a good spinner cone for it. I need to take it out and use it once in a while.

[@RickMahoney2013]

All my Zebco fishing reels are from the 80’s and early 90’s. Love them Zebcos I wish they were still made in America. I worked for a company called Filterite a textil mill that made filters we were owned by Brunswick Corp which at that time owned Zebco and a lot of other companies we had catalogs on the tables in the lunch room that we could by and of their products.

[@madtownangler]

My parents have Zebco 33's that gotta be at least forty years old. My dad has been trying to get my mom to use a spinning reel but she keeps going back to the Zebco. I bought them a whole bunch of older Zebco 33 at garage sales a few years back because they don't like the new ones.

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Wow that was nice. Zebcos make fishing easy and fun.

[@easyfishing9152]

Very nice..reel.

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

I really like it. Right now I am going to keep it on the shelf as a display piece, but I will take it out once in a while, mount it on a vintage pole and take it fishing.

[@rbillion1]

Your videos are most helpful. I bought a rod and reel at a garage sale last weekend. One combo included a Zebco 33 Classic which I am sure I can service. However, I can not for the life of me get the nose cone or the back plate off. I think this reel was used by someone for many years without ever servicing it. I don't even think the line was changed. Any tricks for getting the covers off my Classic? They just don't budge. By the way, I just serviced another one and you helped me immensly with the tricky antireverse. It now works and is going gangbusters now. Thanks for your help.

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Those covers can be difficult. Try warming them up with a hairdryer and see if you can get them to turn. Soak it with a little WD-40. A strap wrench works well.

[@23640631]

@You can take the main shaft out, first disconnect the bar, first the top or bottom, either way, you can clean the shaft, and oil with light oil. Then you can remove the shaft to the reel handle after removing the handle nut, first, just side the gear out, and clean out the hole. Do the reverse to replace to original positions. My pin for the spool guide is not working. I got the information I needed.

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Thanks for watching and commenting

[@pawpaw5717]

My original 33 caught a 7 1/2 pound stingray off 61st Street pier in Galveston in 74. Took 20 minutes on foot wormrod but needed a gaff to get up. Took pic and gave him release. Still got the reel, but retired it.

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

what a cool story!

[@pawpaw5717]

@@OutFishing13Matthew What really wasn't when a lady come running and asking for it. Upon my telling her it was released she lectured that the rays could have been sold as scallops. My answer was lesson learned but had fun and picture proof.

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

@@pawpaw5717 funny!

[@troyandskyelar9588]

If you haven’t already can you do a video explaining what every part on the outside is and how to use it? What’s the “on/off” knurled bit on the left side? I think the pin above it is a bite indicator? Then above the handle there’s a “cover lock” which is self explanatory. Then below the handle there’s a little lever I’ve worked out is the anti reverse. That on/off little knob is what I’m trying to work out. Is it drag? There’s no line on the reel to check. Also how do I spool it up? Total novice to these and just picked up an old single rivet one to try out with the brass gears etc. Cheers, Troy.

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Yes. Great suggestion

[@johnbennett7244]

Very interesting.

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Thanks for watching. I really need to redo this video.

[@daughterandus]

I have a very old, all metal Zebco 33 that I fished with as kid. The cover screw is missing and I cannot get the cover off. Any ideas of how to loosen without brute force and causing damage?

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

I have put mine in a freezer overnight before. That can work.

[@alexsmith1739]

Hey Mathew! I have an old zebco 33 my guess on the year is 59. I was going to see if you service reels? I would attempt it myself, but it was my great grandfather's and I really don't want to mess anything up.

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Alex, Thanks for asking. Those are great old reels. See my About page and send me an email and we can discuss that possibility. I don't service reels as a business, but I do like to take on a challenge.

[@b-lopez394]

Hello, On this vintage Zebco Model 33 featured on this video, Just wondering what is the recommended poundage of line to use. I am respooling a new line on reel exactly like it that I inherited. Your advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks. BTW , very good maintenance vid for this reel.

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

8 or 10 lb test

[@b-lopez394]

@@OutFishing13Matthew Thx

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

@@b-lopez394 You are welcome! Thanks for watching.

[@hmk946]

Hi Matthew, My zebco 33 spool won’t lock into place. Meaning when I press the button, I can cast it, but the button doesn’t lock down.

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

hmm. Can you give me more details? When you are casting. You are suppose to press and keep holding the button down while casting, then let go at the right moment to cast.

[@WolvCustoms]

Think my drag isn’t working properly. Any help please. I click it so to stop the string from coming out so locking it up but I can pull it the string out easy. Same reel in this video

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

I may be beyond repair.

[@grimreaper7862]

Where do you get those bearings that you was using id like to try and hook up my reel

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

What model is your zebco?

[@nakoawarrior3186]

I'd use CLP to lubricate it and probably silicone grease. If I couldn't find Zebco grease and oil,......and I can't,.....hell I can't even find sinkers. But to clean most things I just use paint thinner and a tooth brush. 202's ,....222's 404's and 444's are easy to clean.

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

thanks for the tip!

[@rpatzwald]

I didn't understand the name of the company that has parts available. Somehow I came up missing the back section to include the push button on an old 33. I would like to restore it.

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

TackleService.com is closed. So sad. You will need to look on the Zebco Shop and Swap Facebook group for old parts. Or buy a donor reel.

[@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???

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

The handle nut? Use a tiny drop of blue medium strength thread locker. Apply a small drop with a toothpick to the handle screw. Let it dry and put your nut back on.

[@jimsteck5081]

Put a star washer underneath the acorn nut and tighten it up it works fine for me I just rebuilt one from my grandson

[@jimsteck5081]

I need help replacing a line pickup in because it has a wire spot in it and I don't know how to replace it any help would be appreciated

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

I don't know. You may need to find an old reel for parts.

[@lancerudy9934]

On my zebco the pick up pins do not come out ? How do you fix this problems😊

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Do you have this old model? If you have a newer model, it could be the cams on the pickup pins are worn down.

[@markrine5368]

i got one where i can get the bottom cover off.any tips on how to get it off?

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Mark, put some WD40 on the joint and let it soak in overnight. Clean it off well and use a flat screwdriver between the foot and the cap. Apply a little pressure CCW with the edge of the blade on the cap grooves and the shaft against the foot. I have had to resort to using a big pair of channel locks (NOT ideal). Some guys have used a "Rubber Strap Wrench" for removing oil filters. You can find those on Amazon. Good luck!

[@nboldrini]

@@OutFishing13Matthew I had the same problem. Ebay seller said the reel worked GREAT! Bullpucky! The drag was frozen tight because someone had the spool retaining plate on backwards. The rear and front covers would NOT move. I used a jar lid remover tool I had bought years ago with a rubber strap. It took a huge twist but they both came off with not even a scratch!

[@AEStudt]

On the back the center shaft comes off by taking the upper an lower clips just easily pull up on each 1 an the shaft an line keeper come out

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Thanks for the tip. I should redo this video.

[@elcasinadie1874]

Hola amigo el zebco 33 spinner la manija gira para los 2 lados? Cómo puedo detener lla reversa? Gracias

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Hola, Asegúrese de que el tope anti-retroceso esté funcionando correctamente. Eso podría estar pegado con grasa vieja.

[@tomritter493]

Oh man I have 2 of them still uzeing them

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

They are amazingly durable reels!

[@jimsteck5081]

How do you fix the line pickup pin mine is worn

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

I don't know how to fix the pin, but there may be a way to redrill the hole and move the pin, if it is the cone that has a groove in it.

[@luisvargas2214]

How to put lines

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

I will show that is another video.

[@nboldrini]

That model made major changes in 1969. Mainly changing from aluminum frame ans small rivet to Lexan plastic.

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

still a great reel too!

[@terryfinley5358]

Put your Handel on hold tite and turn counter clock wise,

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Great tip!

[@edwardroberts2997]

Hi Matthew, I wish around here the opening day is not told April 17,2021 hear in Connecticut

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Just 8 more weeks.

[@chestermeeks4321]

👍

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

glad you like it. Thanks for the thumbs up!

[@iansawyers4425]

I have the 87 the 96 max. Aldo have a bullet magnum

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Cool. Those are nice old reels.

[@edwardroberts2997]

Hi Matthew, Ed Hear

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

How's the weather? Time go go fishing yet?

[@user-ve6qs5ry2i]

O Brother.

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

I know. It is an oldy.