[blykins]

Rick,

I'm sure some of our replies get lost in translation....however, I'm not talking about running an engine at 1000rpm in 5th with it bucking and missing the whole way. I'm talking about running it at a lower rpm....1500-1800 if the cam and the rest of the components warrant that. Shoot my little 302 in my Mustang will cruise all day long in overdrive at 1800 rpm without a whimper.

You have to remember, a good majority of the FE's were truck engines...352, 361, 391, etc....some in F600 and F700 heavy duty trucks. If it were so hard to "lug" these engines around, I'm sure another engine choice would have been made.

Now, take a hotter FE with a high duration cam that won't idle under 1000, then yes, I agree with you.