What a timely post - I was just going to ask almost the same exact question! I asked a bit about it in the chat a few days ago. I see a lot of info on rod building but less on how to properly strip down the old one without damaging things more than they are.

I was also thinking about going with newer guides to get the larger openings for plastic lines but have heard some say they don't have too much trouble with the old ones. Lotech, did you keep the original guides?