ah hah, just got back from a 180 mile round trip up and back to the Olthoff's, in the sleet and rain and fog. You have to be careful when it is wet and cold, i held it down to about 85 mph on the interstate coming home, just to be safe.
Pete Brock was there, gave about two hours of history as seen thru his eyes, and he has seen about all of it. Fascinating.
Anyway, my odo now reads about 82K on my 392, but it was built by Bob Olthoff, it was not a crate motor, but it is not exotic either, not forged, but Eagle H beam rods, Keith Black Hypereutectic pistons, Twisted Wedge heads. But i do have over a 100 quarter mile runs on it, and at least 1200 or more track laps. Even a top speed run.
Runs fine, compression the same as when i brought it home, no knocks or leaks, although recently needed a new intake manifold gasket, due to some seepage. Same flat tappet cam, inexpensive roller rockers, etc.
It makes about 460 hp or so.
But i think partly it has held together well, because i watch my revs, use quality
synthetic oil, and don't get on it until it is fully warmed up, in fact, today in the cold mists of dawn, as usual kept it less than 2K rpm until it was good and warm.
I have heard that some of the initial problems with crate motors is because people just start them up, and after sitting for long periods after being built, the bearings are dry. It would absolutely pre
oil the motor.
I need to thaw out a bit.