Doing that conversion doesn't get you much in my book, and new drums for $100 each isn't a bargain either. And you still have the tapered axle, that MIGHT loosen enough for the hub to spin on the axle shaft, although I'll agree it isn't hugely likely.

I tried to use a puller to get the hub off and mushroomed the end of the axle. Needless to say, the axle can't be reused and so I replaced the whole thing with the rear end from my donor '71. But I'm going to have to cut the hub off with a torch if I ever want to liberate the 3.91 gearset. Actually that will be a good experience because I hate that two-piece axle.

I like the idea of DrDiff's conversion axles because you get brand new shafts which are probably higher quality than the 50-year-old ones you have now.

R.