drift rod-noodle rod ?

time has passed me by, but what is the difference.  i have an older kunnan noodle rod (11.5 ft) and the action looks comparable to the drift rods.  help.

rapala,
 
a true noodle rod is very light in power and slow in action.  They are rated for a maximum of 6 lb line though 2-4 is more common.  A true noodle rod you'll be able to bend 180 degrees with minimal effort.
 
A drift rod normally has more power and a little faster action than a noodle, but still fairly moderate.  They will be rated for 4-8 or heavier line and have a more progressive action (i.e. the further you bend the rod the more force it takes proportionally).  A drift rod isn't far off a really long 'normal' spining rod.
 
In the great lakes both are normally used with spinning reels.  In the north west a drift rod can also be a bait caster as they are sometimes drifting ounces of weight/bait and not fractions of an ounce.
 
Thanks,
Rick