I'm having an issue with the clutch arm not "popping" back out when trying to re-engage the spool. It moves just far enough to clear the teeth of the drive shaft gear, but then it stops. The one thing I see that doesn't seem correct is that the position holder is extremely snug on the bottom stud. I'm wondering if it is putting too much pressure on the clutch arm to move out and allow the spool to engage. I was thinking of reaming out the position holder mount for that stud to relieve that pressure. Any thoughts?
That's a good thought, and it might even work, but probably not for the reason you are thinking. The clutch arm actually sticks on C3s because it gets slightly mashed by the thumb bar or side button actuator (or whatever the part is really called, can't remember)- the part that makes contact with the clutch arm.
The clutch arm gets slightly mashed by that actuator after x number of casts. and that number will go down significantly if you don't lube the clutch arm through that little oil port on the inside of the side plate periodically. This is exactly what that port is for!
You will probably have better success fixing this problem by filing down the mashed point on clutch arm to a flat surface again so that it can travel smoothly on the side plate. It only takes a tiny bit of mashing of the clutch arm to make it stick- so little that you can hardly even see it. You might not even believe it's the cause when you look at it, but trust me, it is! Been through this many, many times on many, many C3s!!
Land sakes do I still love these reels though!
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