[FordeatinZ71]

lol, well, i really wanna build my 383...so i think i'm gonna throw in a new harmonic balancer ($50) and a good, clean dipstick and see how much longer she runs. i don't think the HB slipped rotationally because the engine still runs smooth as silk. it HAS vibrated twice but it's been for a very short period of time. the truck isn't being driven now anyhow, it's waiting for it's new balancer. thanks for the replies guys...

oh, and i have to retort on the Ford thing. my first ever Ford was a 1978 F100 with the "unkillable" 302 in it. yep, the 140 horse haus. ONE TIME it overheated (the water pump impellar separated from the shaft, a very weird failure) on the way from an interstate trip and not only did it not make it to the house, that one time overheating DESTROYED that motor...so much for "impossible to kill"...guess i'm just good like that.

now, gotta give some props to a 305. my first TPI F-body, i had a 1987 Firebird Formula with a TPI 305 and a 5-speed. car was fast as HELL for being stock and ran awesome. i overheated it a few times because the front air dam was missing (it fell off on a long trip, so i overheated it a few times going down the freeway) and it never missed a beat (i'd just pull over when it got too hot, just like with that dern Ford). anyhow, fast forward a year down the road, i decided to pull the motor and prep the car for it's new engine (was going bigger) and as part of the removal process i drained the oil. STRAIGHT antifreeze came out for 30 seconds before oil did. i swear on my deceased grandfather's grave, that car didn't smoke at all, still hauled butt and only had a slightly rough idle.

now i've seen some 302's that were awesome, and i love the Ford 302, but the 305 isn't to be discounted at all...it is a strong-weak engine...lol