[Region Warrior]

Hey, i resemble those remarks!

[Pearlbluebird]

Nothing wrong with taking time and thinking things through. My parts guy I deal with knows I'll research something to death as well. I'll be the first guy to admit I don't know evrything but I enjoy learning as I go.

[tininjun67]

comparing the locker to a spool, they are not the same. the locker is pretty user friendly once you get used to it, especially the newer ones. I drove a 68 mustang not long ago that had an original locker in it, and had a lot of people ask me what was wrong with the car and why was the rear end clunking so much. i don't have much experience with spools on the street, but loved my locker and wouldn't waste my time with a posi if I could get a locker for the application. no additives and no clutches to wear.

[Dragncar]

Well, do not do it. I have a story and paid the price and it could have been a lot worse.
My car was a 12 flat car at the time, pump gas 455.
9" with 3 link, billet axles, factory N case and all the good stuff. I broke a factory Ford clutch posi then bought a "good" Detroit Locker. Broke it too. It did not last as long as the factory Ford piece. (it came out of a late 60s 428CJ Cyclone I believe)
Put the spool in and would drive it back and fourth to the track only. I had some tall pickup mud and snow tires I put on the back to do this.
I was late going to the track as usual and went to pass this slow car. Now my car has LOTS of passing power so I went for the pass even though there was some coastal fog patches here and there.I had time if everyone was going normal speeds.
I went for the pass on a long straight stretch but there was some fog about a 1/4 mile in front. When I was side by side with the car I was passing this car came out of the fog bank coming right at me and it had to be going 90 mph. I still had plenty of time right. So I let off the gas, waited for the car I was passing to go by, gently eased back and tapped the brake.
I have 4" skinnys up front and when I tapped the brakes it was like they were roller skates. The back tires wanted to be up front now and I went into a long skid going about 70mph turning to my right. The car went through gravel and rocks along railroad tracks, the sound was horrible. Big rocks as big as your fist and bigger went flying. The front end spun one full turn, then came around again. The car hit the upside of the railroad track burm and spun around like a top in a 360.
The back tires were right in the middle of the railroad tracks, dust still frying around and the dick that came at me doing 90 flew on by, never stopped to see if I was alright.

Now, mind you my car was almost ready for painting. AND it was the last race of the season and I was in second place just a few points back. My perfect unmolested front bumper (69 GTO) had a wow in it. My 2 front fenders that we just finnished doing a near all steel body work that had a perfect alingment with the perfect front bumper were curled in on the bottom. My 3 link was knocked 12" sideways and junk. Both rear tires "broke". My skinny Weld rims were bent. And one of my outside rear axle bearing outer race was shattered. (but the Mark Williams billet axles were not touched, they are the beast made!)
And if went to the other side of the road would have rolled the car many times and would not be here. There were power poles on the other side too,they just stopped to the right side where I went out.
Its kind of a long story and I am sorry. But do not do it.
It was the worst mistake I have ever made in my Hot Rod world.The bumper is still not right (anyone know of a good 69) The fenders are still not right. I could have died.
And I am a very good driver on a race track and on the street. Never wrecked at the track and never have had a real accident or DUI on the street.
I should never had tried the pass and never should have had a spool with 4" tires up front. I have driven it home during rain outs and it was all good. But once skinny fronts brake loose and you have a spool you had better grab on hard because you are not in control anymore.
Well now I have a much better Alston in the car and the rear end is to the point where I cannot hurt it. But my pal that did the great bodywork got fired from our job and he is gone.
When I was installing the new 3 link I still found rocks jammed in under the frame.
That and the sounds and smell of it all was the worst.
Do not do it.
My brother was behind me just a click, with the truck, gas, race stuff and all that towing his race car .He stopped to get more fuel. He drove by and there was still dust in the air, surreal.
He lent me his car for the day, but I still took 2nd place.
NO spools on the street OK.

[Guy Mazza]

Originally Posted by Old Man Taylor

Some times saving money doesn't save money. Do it right the first time.

Good-said! wise man indeed
Hi Jim. Its been a long time!

[Old Man Taylor]

Hey Guy - It has been a long time. Too bad PDD is dead. How's the "Orange Pumpkin"?

[RUDOLFSSON]

The tire you choose to use out back is a big factor on how "streetable" it's going to be...

No biggie here with small 275 hoosiers, 35 spline spool and anti-roll bar...

[Scott Stoneburg]

i have a spool in my 'bird.i drove it alot on the street and never had any of the negative experiences i expected. the thing i noticed was at low speed going around corners. its all in what you can put up with while driving.

[Guy Mazza]

Originally Posted by Old Man Taylor

Hey Guy - It has been a long time. Too bad PDD is dead. How's the "Orange Pumpkin"?

Hi Jim, As a matter of fact, Ive JUST got it back on the street. Now has a mild 455 (std). Still has race trans w/brake but w/a 10" TCI converter, still has 12-bolt w/4:10's and spool (soon to go) and for wheels, its got 17" Polished Torque Thrust D's, 3" Flowmasters. Im working on interior next: Pass seat, carpet, headliner etc. But keeping the 6 pt roll bar. Oh yeah, I'd like to put a worked stock gas tank in place of the 8gal cell too. Are you still racing? Miss the GOOD TIMES/CAMRADERIE/FRIENDS of the old PDD days. Those were some of the best years of my life!
Know, You'd never know there was a track on the old LACR site

[geeteeohguy]

Not a spool, but I installed a locker in a 4wd pickup that was 95% street driven. Worst "improvement" I ever made. Caused me to spin out and wreck when it was raining (going around a curve). Not cheap to fix all the damage to the truck and the car I hit. Thousands, in fact. But I saved $400 by not buying an upscale limited slip unit!!! A spool would be even worse than the locker. WAY worse. No thanks. Go with a good quality limited slip unit and keep your car rubber side down!!!

[Old Man Taylor]

Originally Posted by Guy Mazza

Hi Jim, As a matter of fact, Ive JUST got it back on the street. Now has a mild 455 (std). Still has race trans w/brake but w/a 10" TCI converter, still has 12-bolt w/4:10's and spool (soon to go) and for wheels, its got 17" Polished Torque Thrust D's, 3" Flowmasters. Im working on interior next: Pass seat, carpet, headliner etc. But keeping the 6 pt roll bar. Oh yeah, I'd like to put a worked stock gas tank in place of the 8gal cell too. Are you still racing? Miss the GOOD TIMES/CAMRADERIE/FRIENDS of the old PDD days. Those were some of the best years of my life!
Know, You'd never know there was a track on the old LACR site

It's good that you can enjoy your car again. I was racing up until last September. The engine ate a #2 main bearing, so I'm in the process of another rebuild.

[TTA850]

Originally Posted by 69GTO

The tire you choose to use out back is a big factor on how "streetable" it's going to be...

Yup, cant put low profile tires on a spool, got a 4th gen Camaro with a spool and 275/50R15 M/T radials and no problems. We put my WS6 speedlines on with 275/40R17 once and it would not turn, felt like the rear was gonna rip out of the car.

Spools are ok but you have to remember you have a spool -dont take chances you normally might and be extra careful in adverse conditions. When you can afford the upgrade though, I highly reccomend the wavetrac. I have one in my current WS6 and in my old 98 T/A and it never let me down except for one small problem with an axle and Moser took care of it better than I could have imagined. They really stood behind the lifetime warrany without question.

[455 pontiac]

x2 on the wavetrac...TTA850 congrats on your win at norwalk

[i82much]

I have a truetrac in the rear of a stick shift 4x4 truck and it is great. That application is a 4.3 v6 though, so no real power being put through it.

I think a lot of the horror stories about the truetrac relate to the earlier version, I can't recall the specifics but they were apparently strengthened considerably at some point. They used to not warranty the truetrac for anything over a 32" tire but now they go up to 38 or something along those lines. Anyway, you are right on doing your research, all I can really say is that I've had good luck w/the truetrac in my particular application.

Different application but I'll see how the truetrac holds up for street use behind a 505/muncie combo very soon, but I think the weak link in that combo (my gto) is the trans, not the truetrac (strange 60).

And yes - having a 6 cylinder truck and a 505 in your car is a perfectly reasonable way to allocate your resources.

[TTA850]

Originally Posted by 455 pontiac

x2 on the wavetrac...TTA850 congrats on your win at norwalk

Thanks

[Nicks67GTO]

If you need 33 spline axles why not go straight for a detroit locker? You will have a little pop noise sometimes around corners but its going to be way more street friendly than a spool, thats for sure and youre probably not going to destroy it.

[Ron]

Hey Guy.....great to see you again.

[Guy Mazza]

Originally Posted by Ron

Hey Guy.....great to see you again.

Thanks Ron. Its good to be driving the Pumpkin again too! I know its been a long time...how have you been. Did you buy B.T.'s '65?