Open Spool vs closed spool

[Dan Hatch]

Guys I was ask question “ Can use open spoolbearing housing and drive tube on closed spool rear end?” Somewhere I remember reading about this but all my books are in shop and I am not. Seems like you can put open spool driveshaft on closed spool rear end no problem. But if you go closed spool driveshaft on open spool rear end you must grind off flange on spool for it to fit. Am I remembering correctly?
Think the info was in the Service Bulletins but mine are out in shop and I am not. Thanks Dan

[Mark Gregush]

You can use the open type on any but the earliest rear ends but cannot use the closed spool without modifications on a newer rear end not made for it.

[Dan Hatch]

Thanks Mark that was way I remember but wanted to be sure to pass on right info. Getting old bites! Dan

[speedytinc]

You can use the open type on any but the earliest rear ends but cannot use the closed spool without modifications on a newer rear end not made for it.

Early style axle housings have extra machining around the spool face for the enclosed spool flange to sit over. This flange must be removed to use on later housing & when installing 3-1 gears. You can even use an early & late housing together, the faces are the same distance from the housing center & mate up.
You can use either the late (open) spool or remove the flange from the closed spool.

[Original Smith]

I have a '13 that had 3-1 gears installed in it long before I bought it. What a job it was taking that rear end apart! I had to remove every stud from the axle housings just to be able to pull the rear housings apart. Needless to say, the car now has the correct stock gears, and I can easily pull the housings apart without any trouble.