My thoughts run parallel with the OP. My 408 was pretty much what he described, it ran high 6.50 at 3260#. I don’t get guys saying high powered strokers require a lot of maintenance. The 408 and my current 434 get the valves ran and an oil change in the spring, along with a thorough going over of the car. The last set of plugs in the 434 were in it for over two years and were fine when removed. I drove it to work, 35 mile round trip, it goes to the grocery, cruises, ice crème, wherever I want to drive it. I don’t want to take any long trips, I have other vehicles for that. I do wish my Dart was lighter, 3292# race ready with me in it, the exhaust is another 60#.
I had a 69 Dart with a 440, 727 and 5.13 gears. It was the most I’ll handling car I’ve ever owned. My current Dart is a much better balanced car.
Long live fast small blocks! Even the ones that think they’re big blocks. LOL
