330 vs 300 are they the same?

[Lucky]

I have a 1964 model 330 with a broken foot. I also have a 1969 Mitchell 300. I would like to use the body of the 1969 Mitchell 300 and move the Otomatic to this body. Before I take it apart are they compatible? I'm planning on doing a full service so I will completely disassemble this reel.

[reynolds531]

I suspect that you will be fine with this. It is the bail, the baffle plate and the bail spring that are different. I figured this out when I bought a 330 at a garage sale for all of $10 thinking that it was a 300. Once I started to work on it I realized what I had. The gear and drive mechanism in the body shell seemed the same as a 300. If there are any 330 experts please correct me if I am wrong. The spool on this 330 had some 8 pound test Trilene dated "1967". I am tempted to use it.

[Lucky]

Reynolds 531, thank you for your response. I did a complete disassembly and service on both reels. I did find some compatibility issues but nothing I could not resolve. I now have a 1969 330 that works flawlessly and is the smoothest Mitchell reel in my stable. I'm planning on using 8 lb test line. The shorter crank handle is not a direct swap with the 300. I cannot wait to fish this reel. I've mated it to a 6'6 medium action 6 to 12 lb rod. I will be using this with a free line live bait for small (over 12") black snapper.

[Lucky]

Not as simple as expected. The spinning head does not seat as close to the body as it should, so the line goes on in a cone shape. I will be swapping out parts to find a balance. Through working on it tonight. There are actually several combinations that can be tried. The spool fills top heavy.

[ffwayne]

Pretty sure you have to use the axle from the 330. Also thinking there was a washer that did not seat into the reel body without some persuasion.

[reynolds531]

Yes, the 330 apparently uses its own axle.

[reynolds531]

The 330 uses an axle numbered 81061. The 300 uses an axle numbered 81007. The more that I work on old Mitchell reels the more I learn. It is the subtle and important differences like the axles that can make things challenging. 330 axles do not seem difficult to obtain which is a blessing. Nothing worse than unobtainium when working on old stuff. I am channeling the 314 spool when I say this.

[Schrack]

Several Mitchell's are like that good example are the 304 and 314, same internal workings, but shaft is differant. You can change shafts which changesspools, with every thing else stays the same.
I have changed bail wires on newer 300's back to old style made reel far better.
Called Mitchell prior to changing and was told you should not try that.
Me being my own person did it anyway and it worked.
I will not work on the newer Mitchells.
One way to look at it, is try and if it don't work put it back the way it was.

[Lucky]

Took everyone's advice and swapped axles. They look very much the same. Hoping this fixes the issue. Going to a field where I can stretch out 330 yards of mono and respool.

[Lucky]

Spooled with 4 lb test. Free line, Live Alewives for 12 inch snapper. Drag is smooth as butter. Will fish it at 6 am. Will use a Mitchel 300 for the red fish (if and when they suddenly appear).

[Bailarm]

Just from memory, but I believe the hole for the oscillating slide's peg is in a slightly different position on the auto bail models.

I imagine I found that out the hard way.......

[Lucky]

Thank you Bailarm. Love this group.

[Lucky]

I cannot get the photo to load

[Lucky]

Is this a 330?

IMG_20220920_225903.jpg (14.74 KiB) Viewed 11103 times

. Is this really a 330?

[Lucky]

Another view.

IMG_20220920_225814.jpg (36.97 KiB) Viewed 11102 times

. Zoomed out. 1964 reel.

[piscesman]

Is that inscribed on the side plate?? Doesn't look like any Mitchell engraving I have ever seen. Back the picture up some more to show position of engraving on reel.
Kim

[Lucky]

Kim, thank you for your request.

IMG_20220925_093612.jpg (26.84 KiB) Viewed 11092 times

IMG_20220925_093615.jpg (21 KiB) Viewed 11092 times

[Lucky]

Thank you for your opinion and understanding. I believe this to be a 330 side plate and revolving head.

[piscesman]

Thanks for extra pictures. I see the whole story. YOU definitely have a GM330. BUUUUTTTT a little on the rare side. The engraved side plate SHOULD HAVE NEVER LEFT the factory!!!! The engraving is SCREWED UP!! Does not have 330 as it should be engraved as others. Something went wrong at the engraver's and this slipped through. I personally would shelf it, since that is a unicorn. Congrats on your find.
Kim

[Lucky]

I love the way this reel casts. Using 4 lb test and I am fishing it daily. Worked out all of the issues of changing out the body. Fishing the previously unused 300 also. Great combo of reels for the public dock. Get a lot of comments and enjoyment. Thank you for confirming. Off topic, last month on same dock.

image (5).jpg (27.93 KiB) Viewed 11082 times