Lets talk posi, lockers, spools...

[my66coupe]

Im looking into rebuilding my rear...current set up is a 8 with 3:55s, 28 plines non posi, I want to get some sort of a posi unit in there, Ive heard about auburn, detroit, but I really dont know where to start. Also on the subject of spools ive heard they hook great, but they drag on even the slightest turns..... Right now Im looking into turning the car into more of weekend warrior, it will see street use but not daily driven....Soo please educate me.....prices and such would help too. thanks

Mike

 

[cobra1]

detroit locker

 

[Hack]

My advice is to go to a 9 inch rear. If you're going to drag it, and add power, you'll need something stronger than an 8.

I've read way too many posts from people who destroyed several 8 inch rears before finally switching over.

 

[flyer351]

I'll chime in for the spools. I ran a mini-spool in an 8" (4.11's) with heavily built 351W for about two years. BTW, the 8" uses the same pinion shaft and mini-spool as the 9". Ran the car on the street to and from work with very few issues. The spool increased my turning effort quite a bit because I had manual steering. Plus you could hear the inside wheel slide on tight turns. One novelty was parking lots. You could make a nice sweeping turn under power and listen to one wheel squeal under the pressure then let off the gas and listen to the opposite wheel take on the squeal. OK, enough memory lane.
If you have the money for an 8" auburn, go for it. If you can step up to a 9" it's hard to go wrong with the detroit locker. But if you're looking for a weekend warrior on a budget, don't look past the ultra simple 9" mini-spool packed into a 8" rear end. Mine worked like a champ and cost a whopping 50 bucks. Heck, for next to nothing, run the 8" minispool rearend hard and when it breaks you really aren't out much. Plus, it's a riot to drive a spool.

 

[brianj5600]

I did the same. Dirt track shops have'em at good prices. Roundy pounders are a low buck croud.

 

[my66coupe]

If you do a search for ford 8 inch on ebay, 2 mini spools come up....for like 15 bucks...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7906789138&category=33731

Any good? I was looking into rebuilding my centersection, (ill remove it and install it) and throwing in a new spool....any ideas on price? Would it be cheaper for me to buy a rebuild kit and then have the shop put it together?

Mike

p.s. whats the difference between a spool and a mini spool?

 

[brianj5600]

A mini spool replaces the spider gears and the side gears with a solid piece. Unbolt the ring gear, split the diff , remove all parts, replace with mini spool, bolt back together. A spool replaces the entire diff. You can also shim the spiders until they bind, but it will loosen up with much street driving and leave you with one wheel peel.

 

[my66coupe]

Why is it that everywhere I look that sells mini spools, they strongly recommend for dirt track use only? Are they worthless on the strip?

Mike

 

[GaPonyFarm]

my66coupe,

Send a PM to 10secgoal. I think he has a complete 8" posi diff for sale at a decent price.

 

[my66coupe]

Ya ive sent him a pm, but honestly 400 + shipping is out of my budget. Right now Im just looking for a rebuild and sticking a mini spool in there, cheap and locally.

On the other hand anybody know why mini spools are recommended for circle and dirt track use only? are they worthless for the strip?

Mike

 

[blown65]

My bitch about a Detroit locker is give it gas, you pull one way, let off the gas you go the other way. I personally will never own another one.

 

[my66coupe]

Ya im pretty much set on a mini spool due to how cheap they can be. Can a 9" mini spool be swapped into a 8 and vise versa? And I ditto the question i have asked 2 times above.

Mike

 

[brianj5600]

Spools are great for the strip. They are a bit of a pain for the street, but they are ok IMO. It takes some throttle when pulling in or out of a parking place or anything low speed with sharp turn. It will try to push the front end when turning too. It is in a bit of a bind in sharp turns.