Heddon Heritage 30---"sorta" works Any advice???

[Bsting]

Hi there. Just getting into vintage fishing stuff since I inherited 2 old tackle boxes--very cool hobby! I like to actually fish with the stuff.

My question is this, I have a Heddon Heritage model 30 reel that I went steel-head fishing with over the weekend and it doesnt cast well at all. The best way to describe it is it isnt loose enough. It appears to be unfished and fully functional, however, it isnt loose enough to cast more than 4 feet. I was gonna open her up and oil it and wondered if anyone had any ideas and what oil I should use if in fact you think that is the problem, or if you had any other ideas on what might be causing the "sticking". Thanks. Brian

[Ron Mc]

get the old tarred lubricant out FIRST.
Disassemble it and clean it.
If you're worried, you can probably even get a parts diagram here or online.
Best thing for tarred lubricant is a soak in vinegar diluted 1:4 in warm water. You can soak for up to 3 hours and take a toothbrush to the parts about every 15 min.
Warm soapy water bath then rinse.
Air dry overnight.
Rub everything with a silicone gun cloth, and then lube as you reassemble.

If you're rather clean it in one step, get some denatured alcohol and a bristle brush. Whether this will work depends upon how far the old lubricant has polymerized.

Plenty of opinions about lubes around here, but these get the stamp of approval: Zebco/Quantum Hot Sauce is the most expensive, both the lube (grease) and light oil; and Marvel Mystery Oil is the least expensive.

[john elder]

the other explanation is that there is a ...sorry to get technical here...thingy.. that tightens down to control the spool speed on most of these early reels...presumably to lower the risk of backlash. If your reel has this adjustment and it's cranked down, that would explain the 4 ft casts...should also be tough to crank. I believe most of them are Lefty Loosey, so a turn counterclockwise should set your spool free.

[Guest]

Thank you. Appreciate the responses. I believe it to be a lubricant issue, as I played around with all "knobs" and anything else that moves, and also have the original manual, which doesn't discuss adjustment at all, just that it should cast smooth with regular oiling. I hope it is just gummed up oil. Thanks again.

[SWIM JIG]

jump USA GUEST! take a close look at the Headon 30 , watch as I guide you thru it first look at the left side! SEE that Chrome leaver? if so push it down that releases the spool, next see the light Brown on the left side? next take the spool and try to move it side to side there must be a bit of play, slop, or side to side movement, if not turn the light brown knob foward about 1/2 turn, check the movement of the spool, if none then back off the bright knob on the handle side ie. turn it backwards about 1/2 turn, then chect for side to side movement! once you have some, then push the chrome plated leaver forward and down until it locks in place! now take the spool and spin it forward it should spin freely and fast! You may want to tape the line down so it dont unravel, once you get that free spinning movement adjus the light brown left side knob untill it just starts to slow the spool down a weee bit! Not the spoked wheel on the handle side adj that and hold the spool until it just lets the spool slip while you turn the handle. Ok, now push the nice Chrome leaver on the left side down make a cast and when the lure hits the water just tirn the handle like you are reeling in, the lever will jump right back into place You will notice when the leaver is down, the level wind guide dosent move! its not suposed too! You will need decent line for the Headon 30 or the 40s to work properly, NO PLASTIC or spectrum line, use my favorite POWER PRO in 30lb test which will be 8lb diamitor or use a cloth type line! a word or Caution, Do NOT take the reel apart unless you are prepared to see some springs go air born. Look on the bottom of the foot, does it say ( made in Sweden?) my 30 & 40s do, I have some others that are Made In Japan, they too are excelent casters! As for oiling use a good oil, we recomend Marvel Oil (TM) its avalible from 4oz size to 1 gal size, Now go injoy that wonderful Clasic 30 Headon! as for its wirth as new and boxed with all paper work etc! at least $60.00 and a bit more if you also have the case for it! Your Ohio Conection On Lake Erie Col. Milton Lorens aka SWIM JIG

[joe klaus]

Milt:

You are truly a gentleman and a scholar.