Re: questions from Australian subscriber

["Doug Mitchell" <dougm@domain.elided>]

My 345 powered Scout uses rather a lot of oil.
about 1 quart per 500 miles, it leaks almost none externally
I am assuming worn guides, stem seals and rings, have not yet done compression
test
believe to have approx 105000 miles (speedo head was changed)
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My 345-powered Scout with at least that many miles uses almost no oil.  It leaks
small puddles, smokes on startup, but only needs a quart about every eighth tank
of gas or so.  I only add about one quart between changes.  My '91Suburban with
80,000 miles uses much more oil but doesn't leak or smoke.  I use 10W 40 in the
Scout and 10W30 in the Burban.

As for torque...  I have the California emissions pack on my Scout (less power
than regular 345).  It is a very torquey engine.  I have 31" tires (tyres for
you upside down folks), 4.11 gears and the 727 auto.  My Scout will spin the
tires if I stomp on it from a stop.  My Suburban has an auto tranny (4L80E),
350, 4.11 gears and about 32" tires.  It is a dog by comparison.  It won't break
the tires loose even in a rainstorm.  The extra 1500-2000 lbs probably accounts
for some, but I think the published torque numbers are misleading.  The 350 is
rated at 200 hp/300 ft lbs.  The 345 is more like 150/260.  Don't be swayed by
the published numbers.  My Suburban has the heavy-duty engine with 8.3
compression, just like the Scout.  I haven't towed my 7000 lb camping trailer
yet with the Suburban, but I towed it with the Scout and had plenty of power.
Dad could just barely out-accelerate me with his '94 Mazda/Ranger with a 4.0 V6,
4.11 gears, 31" tires, and 4000 lb camping trailer.  The wheelbase of the Scout
made for some scary towing.  ...that's why I bought the 'Burb.  My point is that
you'll have plenty of torque for whatever you want to tow.  Your limiting factor
towing with the Scout is the short wheelbase.  ...if you aren't concerned with
towing heavy loads, then you don't need to fret over the torque numbers.  The
345 is a snappy engine.  You might want to be more concerned with the low rpm
redline of the engine if you aren't towing.  Of course, there is no substitute
for cubic inches, but the 345 will stand with any other similar displacement
engines.

Doug
'78 Scout
'91 Suburban
and a car