New area of years

[low&slow]

Normally I post in the 67-72 area, but I got a hold of a 1957 chevy rear end. The guy told me it came out off a station wagon (yes I know it's a car rear end). He cut the mounts off of it, so therefor I have a start to maybe putting it in my truck. Anyways, my questions are the following:

1. How do you get the drum covers off? I have one side almost off, but it won't come off any further.

2. How durable are these rear ends? (I'm building a drag truck with approx. 600 hp/780 torque to the crank) Just looking for something temp. to find or buy a built 9 inch)

3. Is it possible to build this year of rear end for drag racing purposes?

4. If so for number 3, can I use the core of the rear end, or is the tubing too thin?

All help is appreciated. If I can't use this rear end for my build, it would still be nice to know how to take it apart so I can get familiar with how to take apart a rear end properly and to put one back together.

Also, the guy also told me that the guy he got it from welded the gears to make a posi track. The guy I got it from said he had it in his old truck ('32 chevy truck) prior to giving it to me and the rear end worked fine. He said its been sitting for quite some time and may or may not be seized. Anyways, like I said, All help is appreciated. Thanks in advance.