I just bought a 6501 C3 and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on upgrading the drags. I see a lot of talk around here of smoothie drags, looks like a pretty common swap out on these. :huh: :huh:

I replaced the drag washers with HT-100s as detailed in the procedure below. I copied that from another board. I now get over 6# of smooth drag at the reel, and hope that water intrusion will no longer be an issue.


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Ambassaduer drag upgrade

here's something that some of you might consider if you've ever been unhappy with the drags in an ambassaduer reel. let's say that you've got a 6500 C3.
these are the directions to upgrade the drags on many of the smaller ambassaduer reels with a stack of three drag washers. find the schematics for your reel. here's the link....

http://www.abugarcia.com/schematics/schematic.cfm

now call ambassaduer at 800-228-4272 and ask for a thin metal slotted drag washer. it's most likely part #20906, but check it against the schematic for your particular reel. you need this to replace the thick washer, part #20960 which you can discard. make sure you have the reel in hand when you call. they will ask you for the reel seat # to be sure.

now call your local shop and ask for a set of four penn ht-100 drag washers, part #6-965 ($1.25 each). these will replace the thinner stock drag washers used by ambassaduer. also ask them for a 1 ounce tub of shimano star drag grease ($5.00). you will have to hand trim the penn drags to match the outer diameter of the three stock ambassaduer composite drag washers inside the gear and the one smaller composite drag washer under the gear. apply a liberal amount of shimano grease with an old toothbrush. just slap it on.

let's use the ambassaduer 6500 c3 9910 as an example. find the "gear cluster" at the top of the schematic. here's the order in the schematic.

1. install #5189 - it's a small brass thrust washer.

2. install #22079 - this is your gear sleeve.

3. discard #13169 - in it's place, install a penn ht-100 drag washer that has been trimmed down the same size.

4. install #21200 - your main gear.

5. discard #20907 - install a penn ht-100 washer here.

6. install #20906 - this is a "thin slotted" metal drag washer.

7. discard #20907 - install your third penn ht-100 drag washer.

8. install #20905 - this is your "keyed" metal drag washer. now this part is critical. the "nubs" of the keyed washer must be bent down at a 45 degree angle in order to seat properly in the main gear. this will not work otherwise.

9. discard #20907 - install your fourth and final penn ht-100 drag washer.

10. discard #20960 - and install the thin slotted metal drag washer that you ordered from ambassaduer. note that the penn ht-100 drag washers are thicker than the stock composite ambassaduer washers. if you use the thick slotted washer, there will not be enough room in the side plate for the drag cluster.

11. now lube the bearings with reel x and grease the screw holes any grease, reassemble the reel, sit back and admire your work. congratulations. alan
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:hihi: Thanks for the info Roger. I have since discovered Hatteras Outfitters and they have quite a bit of "reel candy", as they call it, for all of the Abus. I never realized how much there was to this conventional stuff. I think I should be able to find some good stuff there though. Again, thanks for your help.

I have several 6501s and a 7001. Get yourself the power handle to go along with the Smoooothies. If you trying to increase distance, the Abec bearings might be a good upgrade as well. The dry Smooothies are a vast improvement over the stock Abu drags.