Spool opinions

[Randall Klein]

In the Chevy II thread, Jeff Lee mentions the risk of an aluminum spool in weight savings vs longevity. Years ago down to 8 cars at Dallas I split my aluminum spool just out of the water box, and went back to a lightened steel spool for piece of mind.

Before that, I had contacted DEWCO if a titanium spool could be made. The statement made to me at that time, was the savings from aluminum (not counting the risk) was lost in the "flex-bind", that the stability of a steel spool outweighed the weight

With the AHFS, and lack of desire to set any records, I really don't care anymore, but I have always wondered about the pros and cons on spool materials

Anybody know what the Pro Stockers and COMP guys run? I assume most use DEWCO driveline components

[1320racer]

My ride with a 9" has a Mark Williams aluminum spool and has logged in excess of 700 passes, shorting a best of 1.17 without issue.

[FED 387]

you hafta remember that a spool is just part of the whole driveline---many manufacturers recommend about 3000 pounds as the cutoff for an Al spool and then suggest you go to Steel spools----whether you use a transbrake or you have a manual trans comes into play here too--ya I know somebodys gonna come on here and say that they run a 4300 pound BBC with a manual trans and an Al spool never had a problem either ---then you're gonna hear about the guy with a 1400 pound SBC dragster that kicks em out every 10 passes with an Al spool went to steel never had a problem again---
The rear that your using has a lot to do with it too 9in Ford, Dana 60 10 bolt GM etc do you have a steel or Al center section, is the rearend braced properly, what size carrier bearings are you using, what is the tire size,how many spline axles so to go on and say that a Ti or Al or Steel spool is better than the other type of material you hafta look at the whole picture---how much does YOUR car weigh as opposed to the other cars out there racing today...Kinda like asking with a 3in mild steel driveshaft is a 1350 ujoint gonna be better than an OEM one.You're gonna get lotsa different answers here

[Randall Klein]

All variables fine....my basic question is: was the DEWCO guy correct in saying flex-bind does more harm than the good of weight savings?

[Jeff Lee]

Randall,
Anytime something is placed in a bind; either by poorly machined components, inferior components, or improper installation, your performance will suffer. That's why so much $$$ goes into proper engine machining. The more we have the car "in zen" the faster it goes (and lasts longer). I know with my Dana (40 spline) that I've had gears in there for hundreds of passes & when I inspect or change ratios, everything looks as good as when I installed them. I bought a used set of 4.88's from John Dourlet who ran them in his heavy A/S Max Wedge Savoy. John said they had at least 500 runs on them. I put another 150+. Still look great.
I could be leaving .03 or so on the table, not something I'm likely to do in most cases. But I have piece of mind that nothing will go bang when I let the clutch out!

[Randall Klein]

Jeff: again, your first line, absolutely correct, a given. The question in my mind is this: given a well made spool (MW aluminum Dana 60 spool), proper installation, everything in zen (as you put it), do you believe aluminum "twists" (flex-binds) enough to kick zen out of the equation to nullify to supposed gain in weight savings?

This is basically what the DEWCO guy said....aluminum spool not worth it. I would have guessed COMP and PS would be using alum, even if they had to change it every race; are they using steel spools, or some other exotic material

Just wondering since weight savings came up; One broken spool at the wrong time was enough for me

[FED 387]

Randall--- the Comp car rears I have seen without exception every one had an Al spool in it except for an ex Pro-Stock car( one car) had a Ti spool---if cost does not enter into the choice of equipment/parts then every Pro might have a Ti spool but most assuredly its an Al spool nobody thats competitive uses a steel spool---in many cases these are high HP engines in lighter weight vehicles(altereds/dragsters/PS bodoed cars) nothing even approaching the weight of the lightest Stocker or Super Stocker they also have enough power to slip the tires not dead hook em like many of the heavier S/SS cars do

[1320racer]

fyi...my car weighs 3144 lbs. with me in the seat and a BBC under the hood. The axles are MW 40 spline gun drilled and the Richmond Pro gears have over 600 passes on them.

Got a 4" MW aluminum driveshaft too.

Don't believe you'll find many top shelf and fast Super Stockers that aren't running aluminum spools.

[Alan Roehrich]

We run the A/SA 427/425 Camaro at minimum weight plus 100#, it has had a Mark Williams aluminum 12 bolt spool in it for as long as anyone can remember, at least 7-8 years, maybe 10. I've got it all out right now for a gear change, it looks perfect. The 4.88 we took out had around 400 passes on it and looked like it was new.

[bert powell]

Originally Posted by Alan Roehrich

We run the A/SA 427/425 Camaro at minimum weight plus 100#, it has had a Mark Williams aluminum 12 bolt spool in it for as long as anyone can remember, at least 7-8 years, maybe 10. I've got it all out right now for a gear change, it looks perfect. The 4.88 we took out had around 400 passes on it and looked like it was new.

Alan, if you are talking about the orange car, it had the alum spool in it from day one ~12 years. I installed it as a complete housing from MW.

Randall, you are scaring me, lol. I purchased the Dana60 alum spool you had for sale! Going in a 3200# BBC GT/CA Camaro.