I just bought a used shimano calcutta 250 and gave it a good cleaning and fresh lubrication, and my tensioner knob has no spring in it and I was wondering if it needs one. I've got some springs from other reels that would work if it needs one, but I have no idea if it comes with one or not. Anybody got one and know?

If it has a rubber O ring on where you screw the knob on it don't need one if it don't you could put a spring in and wouldn't hurt anything.

Excellent. Do you know what they sold for retail? I cant find very much info about them online.

About 200 bucks.

I have the spring in stock

Folks down here prefer the 250 over the new 200 due to the gear ratio and it seems to cast better on lighter weights like the DOA that everyone uses for trout.

One caution. If you get anything hung in the level wind or you feel a bind in the reel, do not force it. The plastic idle gear (All modern reels have a plastic idle gear) has a tendancy to sheer a cog on that reel when the worm is forced even a little). I have one 250 left and that is my reel of choice for crankbaits.

whats the gear ratio on it?

5.0:1 Ratio on the 250