Ambassadeur Experts - Lube Question 2024
Goose52 reply :
I was tinkering with a 1500C today and was wondering what the experts do regarding lube (or not) on the cog gear. The cog engages both the wormshaft gear and the spool pinion gear. The cog is nylon, with (supposedly) self-lubricating qualities. It seems if you put a little grease on the cog teeth, you'd adversely affect casting distance. If you oil it, you'd be slinging oil all over the inside of the sideplate.
So, what say you Ambassadeur experts: grease, oil, or dry?
Thanks.
0119 reply :
All mine have 1 or 2 b.b. idler cogs so the shaft gets oiled. I do put a very thin coat of grease on the teeth. I just feel better doing it that way. I see no change in casting distance.
Goose52 reply :
I was installing a 2 ball bearing cog (along with a wormshaft bearing) and that's what got me thinking. You are trying to minimize friction in the system and it seemed like adding grease would slow things back down a bit. As you say - perhaps a light application won't hurt.
I do have a bit of grease on the cog of my Ambassadeur 5000 but I don't have any bearing upgrades in that reel. Actually, there aren't any bearings in that reel at all - just bushings.... 
0119 reply :
When got my souped up Ambassadeurs from Jerry Foran who custom builds them, they were the farthest casting reels I've ever seen. When I did a take down, the idler cog was ever so lightly greased. Ive kept them all that way and like I said never saw any cut in casting distance. No grease flings off but to be honest the internal sideplates and frame should be coated in grease anyway. I also keep grease the cog's on out of the box my 2500's with the same effect. Congrats on finding a 1500, a great reel.
Goose52 reply :
I got the parts from Jerry Foran to convert my early 1960s 5000 from the original 3.8 gearing to "High Speed" 4.7 ratio... He builds neat reels.
I got my 1500C on eBay. Not collector grade - it has a few very minor boat rash spots, some screwhead burring, the decals have some blemishes and it had an incorrect handle. However, inside it looks new. I was satisfied with the $71 it took to win the reel. I've added a 4-bearing handle from a Revo, the B-Trap 2-bearing cog and wormgear bearing, and Carbontex drag washers. It's a nice little reel.
.RM. reply :
I polish then lube the post for the idler with (1 drop) oil.
The top teeth of the idler gear and the brass worm gear teeth get a small dab of Cal's.
Done...
J Francho reply :
Vapor thin layer of grease. Oil the post.
Very cool reel, Goose.
Goose52 reply :
Thanks RM and John. I have oil on the post...but I'll have to go back in and put a little grease on the cog.
Most importantly, I have to go catch a fish with it. I've had it almost a year - it's time it earned its keep!
J Francho reply :
I really like the "daily driver" looks of your reel. Reminds me of an old 2500c I souped up for a member here, a few years ago. Fun reels to work on, with TONS of upgrade/gearing options. I added higher speed gears, and a clicking drag - meaning the when the drag slipped, there was an audible click.
Goose52 reply :
You bet - lots of gizmos and upgrades for these reels...although I'm going to resist going over to the dark side with the tuner spool and mag brake upgrades. I think it's ready to go get some fish.
Although, the 6.0:1 gears on the JapanTackle site are tempting...
J Francho reply :
The mag brakes are bulky and aren't the greatest. I think spool tension, and a good thumb are a better setup. 6:1 gears, now that sounds yummy, lol.
Goose52 reply :
On 9/24/2013 at 2:55 AM, Goose52 said:.......Most importantly, I have to go catch a fish with it. I've had it almost a year - it's time it earned its keep!
OK, took it out today - NOW it can be considered a "bass reel"... 
.RM. reply :
On 9/25/2013 at 7:29 AM, Goose52 said:OK, took it out today - NOW it can be considered a "bass reel"...
It all ways was a bass reel. You just needed convinced...
J Francho reply :
Outstanding. Reel looks sharp on a traditional full cork rod.
Goose52 reply :
On 9/25/2013 at 9:47 PM, J Francho said:Outstanding. Reel looks sharp on a traditional full cork rod.
Yeah - no split-grip rod for this reel. The Revo handle looks good on it too - there's more than 30 years separating the reel (1978 production) and the handle...but the handle style and color look like they were made for the 1500.
.ghoti. reply :
It's been a few years or so since I did it, but I retro-fitted an older Ambassadeur with the Avail mag brake system for a good friend. I did not spend much time casting it, but was not impressed with the results. He obviously agreed, and sent it back that winter to be put back to original condition.
Goose52 reply :
I mentioned the mag brake upgrade in an earlier post more to mention the available upgrade paths than as an intent to go for that mod. I'm actually happy right now with the stock, two-pin, centrifugal system. I'm running a medium-weight brake block on one pin..............and nothing on the other pin. I'm using a bit of spool tension (bait drops slowly). The brake drum has not been polished and there's 30+ years of oxidation on the drum right now - if I keep using the reel, and the drum gets buffed up a bit, I might have to add a brake block to the other pin.
I'm getting oustanding casting distance right now with a practically "thumb-free" cast - and this with the line guide zipping back and forth...
It is a nifty reel.
oldschoolbasser reply :
I love my 1500-2500C's for worm fishing with light weight worm set ups. I've gone to the "Dark Side" with a lot of my Ambassadeurs. My "Custom" Green 2500C with bearing,spool, handle, and gearing upgrades.
oldschoolbasser reply :
I also do the larger size reels too
Goose52 reply :
On 9/29/2013 at 3:15 AM, oldschoolbasser said:I love my 1500-2500C's for worm fishing with light weight worm set ups. I've gone to the "Dark Side" with a lot of my Ambassadeurs. My "Custom" Green 2500C with bearing,spool, handle, and gearing upgrades.
Yep - you're "hooked" for sure - you have some nice Ambassadeurs.
I'm using my 1500C right now for the same thing - light t-rigs. I have another part inbound for it - the driveshaft from a 2500C IAR that has 4 trip pins for the clutch (instead of the single pin on the original 1500C driveshaft). I think that is just about enough mods for now. The only other thing that would tempt me right now would be the 6.0 gears but they cost more than I paid for the reel. They take you from the original 16 IPT to about 20 IPT - still slow but perhaps a more useable IPT...
oldschoolbasser reply :
Thanks Goose, the 4 pin driveshaft is one of the best upgrades for the reel, and also one of the cheapest. Carbontex drag washers are also good to have. I would suggest the 5.3:1 gear upgrade, but those parts are nearly impossible to find. These 2 upgrades alone will make your reel perform better, and will help you catch tons of fish. I've been using mine since the 70's and the still catch fish. With a little TLC these reels will last a lifetime.
.RM. reply :
On 9/29/2013 at 3:31 AM, oldschoolbasser said:I also do the larger size reels too
Yup I want that one....
.RM. reply :
On 9/29/2013 at 3:15 AM, oldschoolbasser said:I love my 1500-2500C's for worm fishing with light weight worm set ups. I've gone to the "Dark Side" with a lot of my Ambassadeurs. My "Custom" Green 2500C with bearing,spool, handle, and gearing upgrades.
Yea this one...
.RM. reply :
Hey oldschoolbasser who does the service on them?
Tight Lines! 
0119 reply :
On 9/29/2013 at 7:12 AM, oldschoolbasser said:the 4 pin driveshaft is one of the best upgrades for the reel, and also one of the cheapest.
Why do you say that? For quicker pick up? I feel the older style 2 phenolic resin brakes to give better braking performance myself, faster yet easier to control, at least for me.
oldschoolbasser reply :
On 9/29/2013 at 8:56 PM, .RM. said:Yup I want that one....
oldschoolbasser reply :
On 9/29/2013 at 8:56 PM, .RM. said:Yup I want that one....
oldschoolbasser reply :
That is my latest "Custom" 4500C. It has the new Hedgehog Studios Air bearings,Avail spool,dual bearing worm gear,and cog wheel,driveshaft bearing,Studio Composite handle,and sandblasted Violet side plates. Supertuned,and really smooth
.RM. reply :
On 9/29/2013 at 9:00 PM, .RM. said:Hey oldschoolbasser who does the service on them?
Tight Lines!
Thats OK we know who.... 
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