Mitchell Reel Museum Discussion Group

My wife inherited a 1975 Mitchell 308 reel. I am trying to get it in working shape for our kids. Where can I find a replacement bail spring and the spring on the catch system below the spool? I don't have a manual for this reel, so I have no point of reference on parts except for the handy videos that were posted to YouTube for the reel. Any direction the group can provide to both a manual and a place to order replacement springs from would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks don309. I have a 308 and the schematics you pointed out verify the part numbers you also pointed me to. I dove in and messed up the trip spring thinking was the issue with the bail, rather than the bail spring. I was trying to figure out how to get that trip spring back in, so that picture will help once I get the parts ordered.

Ted,
Do you know if this would also apply to the 300 models, having 4 coils on bail springs then changed to 5 coils later?
Kind Regards,
Bill

dwildman, the 308 is a fantastic little reel...you've received some good advice so far...

Bail spring: The four coil spring changed to five coil spring - 4 coil until serial #560650, 5 coil beginning #560651...a 1975 reel would be a five coil and indicated as a numeral "5" on the bottom of the rotating head just after the "Made in France", as Ted mentioned. I've rarely had a problem when I've used either spring in either head. I've probably done this 100 times. That said, it is always best practice to match up with correct parts.

Trip lever spring: As don 309 stated, installing the trip lever and spring should be done after the bail spring and bail are installed (makes it much easier to install the bail assembly). One tip I can add is to pull the trip spring over the cog in the trip lever as the last step in installing the trip assembly.

Feel free to post more photos of your reel or ask other questions. it's likely your reel should get a complete disassembly and relube.

Sandman