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What let go on those 302's Gary ? I would think valve train issues at those high R's. Did they run hardened push rods/guides , studs and girdles back in the day ? Bottom end should have took the estimated 400hp--and those block castings are pretty legendary in strength. Many a 331 used to run at the track. Well heavy pistons also. Have heard it was the "yanking" them back on the down strokes. Intake. No down force from above to help balance the load.
well, I've not personally blown one..
nor did any of my friends back then.. those engines would rev forever (*almost*)..
I always assumed the blown ones were by people accustomed to hydraulic lifter engines, where the lifters served as a rev limiter (governor)..
back in '71, I bought a '67 Z28 engine from Paul Vanderlay. The engine bottom end was prepped by Hank the Crank (CSC DynaRev series lower end, forgedtru pistons, lunati cam,etc) which would rev beyond 10K.. it came from a '67 Z28 drag raced in stock class by Jack Cooley (HOF drag racer from Louisiana). He came off the line at 10,200 rpm, shifted at 9800 running 11.6 on 7" slicks and open headers. that was at/below the nat record in his NHRA class at the time. (that engine is how I learned to love the sound of a high revving small block.. just hearing it made adrenaline flow thru my body!
