Reel seats cracked on vintage rod

Question
Have 50 year old garcia saltwater rod! the reel seats are split,want to repair the seats,please tell me if there is a book on step by step for replacement! will try this myself if possible?
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^THANKS....Don^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Answer
Hi Donald,

There are quite a few books out there on rod building but I don't know if they describe this type of repair.  

Removing and replacing a reel seat is a tough job.  The correct way is to take off the guides (the big ones anyway) and the fore grip and reel seat off the front and rebuild it like it was originally built.  Its a pain and a lot of work and on a vintage rod it disrupts everything from staying original.

Its possible to remove the cork rear grip and build it back on from the rear.  You will end up replacing the cork rear grip making it non-original as well.

Tell me a little more about the damage.  Is the whole reel seat split?  Is it aluminum?  Cork rear grip?

I don't want to discourage you but this is a big job.  I'd do it by tearing off the rear cork and then the reel seat.  Get a book on rod building and it will show you how to put on a reel seat.  Build up underneath with masking tape.  Then install a cork rear grip or cork rings from the back end which is the opposite of what you are supposed to do, but it will work.

A place like Mudhole will have the supplies.  If you do wood working or a hobby like that you will have the tools and skills.  Cork is like wood.  Glue everything with a good 30 minute epoxy.

Shoot me some pictures and I may have some other ideas.

Go for it!

Marc