I Built this engine last summer and got 500-600 miles on it.
I broke in the cam with Gulf Classic oil with zinc.
Changed to some special oil i don't remember the name, Methanol compatible
on recommendation of the guy that ported my heads.
He had just started to sell it so i was given a "Sample" was very sticky and
slippery on the fingers.
Anyway i got 5-600 miles on the engine last summer and thought
it lacked some power. But as its 30 years since i built a 390 i thought i remember
them faster than they where. And 4000 lbs car with 2.82-1 and 29 inch tires so...
Had some blowby but the rings had a real big camfer in the gap.
But i had not time to send them back and wait for another set
I played a bit with the 870 i had first, got rid of the stumble but still lacking power
Changed for a recurved Duraspark from Drew Pojedineck and a MSD 6
changed to a 800 DP woke the engine up some. Changed oil The headguy live 80 miles
from me so i didn't bother go there just for new oil. Bought Castrol magnatec from another friend.
While i was playing with the springs in dist and tested i had to lover the idle from time to time,
thought it was ignition related. The more i drove it the better it run...Idea..The rings is finally seating
with cheaper oil so today i have driven it accelerated, shifted manually, enginebraking, runs much better now
No sign of blowby from the filler cap really Strong down low now pulls strong as long as i dare to keep my boot
in the boiler room, 6000 i guess no tac. Kickdown at 65 mph it just roars and take of so the dog starts to tremble
and show its teeth's
Higher vaccum the trans have better shift points
Must have been the oil was to slick to seat the rings
Now i believe the 400+hp. Feels stronger than the wife's SL 500 that's about same weight and 328 hp DIN Net
Translates to approximately 400 SAE Gross
She beat me in topspeed though i suspect... 298 kmh
