I just bought a Mitchell 300 and 400 reel. They are in perfect shape but the mechanism seems to have grease a million years old and turns sluggishly.

Question.....I want to take the side plate off (3 screws) clean out the grease and put in new oil/grease. Is there anything that is going to go SPROING! when I do this?

There is a large screw at the back of each reel that looks like it might be an oiler hole. I took out the screw and shot some wd40 in the 300 and it works a lot more smoothly. Did the same to the 400 with similar results.

Should I leave it at this or attempt to clean the supposedly hardened grease out of those reels.

The owner told me the reels and rods had been standing in the barn since around 1960 or so.

I got the reels with rods for one dollar each, so we are not talking big money here, just would like to get them in good shape for my grandson who fishes with open face reels.

Thanks, Chuckwagon

I cleaned a 300 not long ago and nothing jumped out at me,remove cover easy and if there is a spring you will feel it pushing against the cover.

chuchwagon:
if they are a 308,310,408 0r 410 I will take them off your hands and at the same time you can double your money.

eddie, there are no such numbers on the reels....just Mitchell 300 and Mitchell 400.

But thanks for the offer of the money! WOW! A chance to make a WHOLE two bucks! It's what we DREAM about!.......down to the Shady Palms Trailer Park!

I have an old 401 ( or maybe it's a 410) I use for catfishing sometimes. Noisy suckers,even with the clickers off...but I love them.

Eddie, I sent you a PM

Scott