Stock OEM vs. CORE/Reman'd shortblock

No argument!

But I would prefer to start with a virgin given the choice.

purple72Gremlin wrote: [QUOTE=uncljohn] >>>but then you have to make sure it doesnt detonate to begin with<<<

The point that many people ignore in the first place.

This was accomplished using the following steps.
1. The installation of spark plugs (Champions) 3 heat ranges colder helped prevent detonation caused by overheated spark plugs which caused pre-ignition and dieseling. This also significantly extended the life of the spark plugs.
2. The installation of a Carter Ignition module which detected DETONATION via a sensor mounted on the heads adjacent to a head bolt and then adjusted to retard the timing on the onset of detonation.
Triggered by the existing points and still installed and functioning after 27 some odd years.
As it was linear and difficult to adjust correctly the following steps were taken.
3. The purchase and use of MOROSO 104 OCTANE BOOST by the gallon. A necessary requirement due to the need for it on road trips on something that rarely got better than 16 mpg and a premium fuel at the pump of 92 Octane.
4. Replaced step 3 when the pump gas was reduced from 92 octane to the now current 91 octane by purchasing from the machine shop a set of open chamber heads left and not picked up by an off road racer who had them rebuilt and never picked up. This reduced the compression from the OEM 10.5:1 to something like a bit under 9.5:1 along with a careful tune and seeing to it the vacuum advance to the distributor was working correctly.

Some 50,000 miles later the steps above have proven to be effective in keeping further piston parts where they belong rather than in the oil pan. And gave the option if on a road trip and a fuel of higher than 91 octane is available. It is easy and quick to re-tune to keep the performance close to the level it was available with when 101 octane fuel was the norm and the car was built and expected to run using it.

I finally sold the one remaining OEM piston to a fellow in Florida who needed only one. It was no good to me.
I had purchased a crank/connecting rod/and piston rebuild kit when I had the engine rebuilt.

The 16MPG road trip mileage was massaged by the installation of a Ford Mustang W/C T5 transmission and a 3.15:1 positraction rear axle in 1991 to something around 24MPG which made road trips a whole lot more enjoyable.
I need to finish that up with finishing the Vintage Air A/C unit.

uncljohn wrote: purple72Gremlin wrote: [QUOTE=uncljohn] >>>but then you have to make sure it doesnt detonate to begin with<<< The point that many people ignore in the first place. 2. The installation of a Carter Ignition module which detected DETONATION via a sensor mounted on the heads adjacent to a head bolt and then adjusted to retard the timing on the onset of detonation. Triggered by the existing points and still installed and functioning after 27 some odd years.

This would be interesting...................since there is no doubt that it will sense detonation long before I even hear it.

uncljohn wrote: A help when not sure. If oil is in the air cleaner? It would probably be a good time to run a compression check.

true. and sometimes you will see it on the spark plugs.