Kemo, I guess you never run your enigne dry of fuel at the end of the day, run the tank dry while having fun, etc. Just like the multitude of other threads that have been started on this subject, folks are going to believe and do whatever they feel is best.

I still have not seen anyone bend or otherwise damage a rod by blocking off the exhaust. I have seen people burn themselves while plugging the stinger with a finger. I guess it might be possible if the idle screw is in too tight and the low speed needle is super rich to hold the idle low or maybe the exhaust system is leaking badly.

I have seen a few cut fingers from stopping the flywheel, especially on big blocks.

Have seen a damaged body from trying to get to the fuel line to pinch it off. If your enigne is reving so high when you pinch the fuel line that it damages it, the needles have got to be way out of whack to start with.

Trying to block off the carb intake can sometimes knock the filter off allowing dirt into the engine.

Take your pick, all can cause problems,

Ed M.