Ambassadeur 6500C3 Ct Blue Yonder 09 01

Technical Service Manual: Abu Garcia Ambassadeur 6500C3 CT Blue Yonder (Model 09 01)

The Ambassadeur 6500C3 CT Blue Yonder (Foot Number 09 01) is a specialized long-distance casting machine. The "CT" designation indicates that this reel has no levelwind system (no worm gear or line guide), which removes a massive amount of mechanical friction. Coupled with its high-speed brass gears and open-frame design, this reel is a favorite for surf casting and tournament distance competitions.

The "09 01" code indicates a production design from roughly 1999–2000. Because this reel lacks a levelwind, the spool's rotation is governed entirely by the quality of the ball bearings and the centrifugal braking system.

Phase 1: Precision Teardown and Gear Inspection

Since there is no levelwind to disassemble, the focus of this service is on the spool bearings and the drive train.

1. Right Side Plate Removal: Loosen the two or three knurled captive screws (depending on the specific frame revision). Pull the blue side plate away to reveal the spool and bridge.

2. Spool and 3-Bearing System: Slide the spool out. In the CT Blue Yonder, the bearings are the heart of the reel. You will find two high-grade stainless steel ball bearings (one on each end of the spool or in the side plates). Remove the wire retaining clips to extract them.

3. Drive Train Breakdown: Remove the handle, star drag, and the side plate cover. Lift the bridge to expose the brass main gear and the Carbon Matrix drag stack.

4. Centrifugal Brake System: On the non-handle side of the spool, you will find the brake carrier. This model typically uses a 2-pin or 6-pin system. Ensure the brake blocks (weights) are present and move freely on their pins.

Phase 2: Deep Cleaning and Degreasing

For a "Blue Yonder," the goal is to reduce every possible milligram of resistance to allow the spool to reach maximum RPM.

• Hard Part Degreasing: Submerge the main gear and pinion gear in a high-grade degreaser. Use a soft brush to remove old grease from the teeth.

• Bearing Refresh (Crucial): Soak the ball bearings in isopropyl alcohol or a dedicated bearing cleaner. Spin them while submerged. Once dried, they must spin with zero resistance and no "hissing" sound.

• Brake Drum Cleaning: Use a cotton swab with alcohol to clean the brass brake drum inside the non-handle side plate. Any oil or old grease here will cause the centrifugal brakes to fail, leading to catastrophic overruns (bird's nests).

Phase 3: High-Performance Lubrication Protocol

In a CT reel, the lubrication strategy is what separates an average cast from a 200-yard bomb.

The Spool Bearings (Speed Zone)

Apply only one drop of Deuthlon Reel Power Oil to each spool bearing. This ultra-thin synthetic oil is designed for high-RPM stability. Never use grease in these bearings, as it will act like a "glue" and cut your casting distance by 50% or more.

Main and Pinion Gears (Power Zone)

While the spool needs to be "dry and fast," the gears need to be "greased and quiet." Apply a thin, even coat of high-viscosity gear grease to the teeth of the brass main gear. This provides the necessary cushion for the retrieve without affecting the cast (since the gears are disengaged when you press the thumb bar).

Phase 4: Reassembly and Fine-Tuning

1. Rebuild the Drive Bridge: Place the pinion gear into the yoke and seat the main gear on the drive shaft. Ensure the drag washers are clean and stacked in the correct order.

2. Brake Setting: For maximum distance, start with two brake blocks "on" (pushed out toward the drum). As you get comfortable with the speed, you can retract them to increase distance.

3. Mechanical Calibration: This is vital for CT reels. Realign the side plates and tighten the thumb screws. Adjust the mechanical tension knob (cast control) until the spool has a tiny, almost imperceptible amount of side-to-side play (roughly 0.1mm).

Technical Performance Summary

Because the Blue Yonder 09 01 has no levelwind to synchronize, the spool is allowed to spin at incredible speeds. With Deuthlon oil in the bearings and a clean brake drum, this reel will deliver the silent, long-range performance that the CT series is famous for. If the reel screams or vibrates during the cast, check for a "dry" bearing or oil on the brake drum.

How far are you looking to cast with this setup? I can help you tune the centrifugal brakes for specific lure weights.