[BPWilliams]

I just finished a freshin up on my 385 series 429SCJ. I had 19K miles on it and most of them were track miles. My motor was 540 at the crank with a solid valve train, and PAW gear drive. I am glad I did the tear down because I learned a couple of things in the process.

My PAW Gear drive broke the dog-bone and was floating in the timming chain cover smaking my block. I was also crushing my bearings at the 6.5-6.8K that I was turning the motor on the track. Everything else was perfect! I run JE Pistons.

I only upgraded to Total seal rings (0.05% leak down now) and up graded the bearings and added a Milodon Gear drive. The engine rocks and runs great all of the weak links should be gone now. I know of several 385 series motors that have had piston faliure because they were not forged or better.