GN 8.5" mini spool ??

[BillySS]

My posi clutches are going. I was thinking going with a mini spool. I have an open carrier and was wanting to put a mini spool in it temporarily til I get a Moser or Strange rear.. Summit site says for dirt track only and others say not for hi hp use. Any Ideas?

 

[78maliburat]

I USE A MINI SPOOL IN MY STREET CAR ..........AND I HAVE NO HORSEPOWER .....SEEMS TO WORK WELL

 

[grizwald]

i had a mini spool. i'd suggest not using one. not sure if you can picture what i'm talking about here, but after only a short amount of use, the center blocks of the mini spool were trying to twist out of the side pieces. the sides of the channels that the center blocks fit in were bent out.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

My posi clutches are going. I was thinking going with a mini spool. I have an open carrier and was wanting to put a mini spool in it temporarily til I get a Moser or Strange rear.. Summit site says for dirt track only and others say not for hi hp use. Any Ideas?

They are correct. A mini spool is a dirt (or low traction) only unit.

Tommy

 

[bracketchev1221]

I don't know about the newer ones, but we used one years ago made by Lenco and it held up in my dad's car. He went 9.60's leaving off the trans brake at 2700 lbs. I think it had a 1.32 60' too. I am not crazy about putting that much power on just the cross shaft though. My dad ran on a tight budget and it was what he had.

 

[t5montecarlo]

You can rebuild the 8.5 carrier.

 

[SSedan64]

May be able to Shim the Clutches but, there aren't any parts available for the stock 8.5" Traction Lock Diff, Clutches, Spiders are all no longer available.
I do remember someone mentioning trimming down 8.875" 12-Bolt Clutches to fit the 8.5" a while back.
A new 30-Spline Posi & Axles would be the best option, Eaton or DuraGrip.

 

[t5montecarlo]

The OEM 8.5 posi carrier is not the same as the new Eaton unit?

 

[SSedan64]

No, the OEM used a 'Traction Lock' Posi with an S-spring in the center for preload. The parts don't interchange with the Eaton & DuraGrip copy which use Coil springs in center.
Good comparison Pics here >> http://rides.webshots.com/album/55410292AnMJrE courtesy of "ProStreet69" on HR.com
There're also Auburns & Gov Locks used in the 8.5".

 

[madmaxx57]

i had always thought the 12 bolt and oem 8.5 shared the same clutch packs?