[DAVID GAGNARD]

One nationally know engine builder told me when I bought a stud girdle from him that all it would do is keep all the pieces together if/when the bottom of the engine blew up.........he sells them, but rarely uses them in engines he builds.............

On the other side of the equation,Ive been running a 351-W in a 65 Fastback since 1994. The engine came out of a 1972 LTD, which I rebuilt;stock crankshaft, reground; stock rods,ARP rod bolts; stock cast replacement flat top pistons, makes about 350hp. Has at least 100 quarter miles drag stip passes, shifting at 6000rpms and probably close to 2,000 miles on road courses,running from 3000 to 6000 rpms for 15 to 20 minute sessions and 22,000+ street miles, she's still purring like a kitten and runs as good as ever.... Stock/factory components are pretty tuff and can take a lot of abuse....

The engine I took out of the LTD had just over 100,000 miles on it, so the block,crank,rods,and heads had seen a lot of use before I rebuilt the engine.....

I thought it would have blown up a long time ago with the way I use it, as I had planned to build an aluminum headed 331 stroker for it's replacement, but so far, it still cranks right up the first time you turn the key and runs just as good as when I rebuilt it years ago.....

David