used sure-grip, midlife or dead

[bigblockhead]

ok,  i found a 489 center section for my soon to be shortened C body housing.  its  highway geared with suregrip out of a 70 B body,  and is said to be in working condition.   my question is, do the suregrip units have any kind of life expectancey.  is this 40 year old suregrip on its last legs?  is there any way to tell if its gonna work properly, out of the car.   OR,  is a NEW suregrip unit a wise investment.   I HATE BUYING BROKEN PARTS!!     the valiant is going to have a fairly stock big block and see some track duty.    also,  my buddy has driven a spool on the street for a few years now with no problems.  any body else drive a spool on the street? 

[fourspeed]

If it's a powerlock, you can rebuild those with new clutches. If it's a cone-type, you can't rebuild it. The life of a suregrip is affected more by its use than its age. I would put it in and see what happens, a center section is not hard to swap out. Don't forget the "friction modifier".

I'm not a fan of spools in street cars, but to each his own.

[oldkimmer]

....................If I am not mistaken I think Steve DeTar has a write up in the tech section somewhere........kim...................

[Blue]

You can repair the cone type as well, done it a few times with good results.