[steelcomp]

Sizzler,
Where do you get your information? I learned a long tima ago that the 385 was developed in 1968 basically for use in trans am racing. The Ford engineers took the BBC and erased all it's problems in it's design. The 385's big bore-short sroke, long rod combination make it one of the most optimally designed engines ever built (from an engineering/ dynamics standpoint) The canted valve heads are much better than a BBC, and they were designed for performance with slighter valve angles, shallower chambers fro better combustion, symetrical ports and a better spark plug location. Some of the first 385 (prototype) blocks were aluminum. It was actually one of the most "racing oriented" engine designs that ford had developed with the Boss program, answering to Chrysler's Hemi.
You say you can't use them in NHRA? 385s are all over the track in NHRA. Some of the best running cars out there are runnig 385s.

There's nothing "bloated" about the 385. It's bigger because of the better bore spacing, which is something that other engine makes wish they had, and spend big dollars on specialty racing blocks and heads to duplicate!
You need to understand engine design and why the changes that were made to the 385 over the FE came about. It would help you have a clearer uunderstanding of what you are talking about. If you DO know these things, then I don't understand why you would make such statements. You sound like you have something personal against the 385, or anyone who appreciates the engine for what it is.
Oh, yes, AND it does make a good truck engine, as well. But I'm pretty sure that came after, not before.
There is a 385 post on the board, as well.