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Best engine ever made? And why?
- Thread starter DemoFly
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Chevy 409.
Best looking engine ever. Great looking valve covers and my favorite color is orange.
Best looking engine ever. Great looking valve covers and my favorite color is orange.
I'm thinking something that had a long production run that made it through carburetors, CAFE standards, FI, etc...
The absolute best ever has to be the small block Chevy. It was used for 5 decades, and is still being used as a crate motor for restoration projects. It's truly an American icon.
AMC 258 inline 6 comes to mind, also the Buick 3.8.
Many other honorable mentions in this thread too.
The absolute best ever has to be the small block Chevy. It was used for 5 decades, and is still being used as a crate motor for restoration projects. It's truly an American icon.
AMC 258 inline 6 comes to mind, also the Buick 3.8.
Many other honorable mentions in this thread too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZr2umGKQXg
bin working since 1933 and is still a part of the backup power supply for the city of copenhagen.
bin working since 1933 and is still a part of the backup power supply for the city of copenhagen.
ls1mike
$50 Site Donor 2025
Any LSx based motor.
Fairbanks Morse diesel used on a American Submarines. Can't kill them.
Fairbanks Morse diesel used on a American Submarines. Can't kill them.
MB OM 615/616 some of the other MB diesels also. but these two are my favourites. If its not the best it certainly is at the top of the list.
These engines wrote the book on longevity and build quality. According to MB in 1980 they were built with a life expectancy of 30+ years and more than a million Km (600K), i never saw one die of natural causes eg worn out.
Nothing can stop them not even an EMP attack that kills all electronic devices. As long as it has coolant and fuel it keeps running. A perfect world catastrophic event engine.
These engines wrote the book on longevity and build quality. According to MB in 1980 they were built with a life expectancy of 30+ years and more than a million Km (600K), i never saw one die of natural causes eg worn out.
Nothing can stop them not even an EMP attack that kills all electronic devices. As long as it has coolant and fuel it keeps running. A perfect world catastrophic event engine.
the 3.0 V6 from Alfa Romeo. The engine itself to was beutiful to look at and the engine made a distictive sound unlike any other. Of course, it was made by Alfa, so a few did have problems, but it was Italian, and it was expected. But for its nationality, I prefer the engine to be unreliable, and allowed the owners to tinker with it. That is why I choose this as the best engine ever made. The second best would have to be the GM 3.8 v6, it was cheap, more reliable than magnatism, and lasted longer than Greek Aquaducts.
In my opinion, any "best engine" discussion involving V-8 engines is incomplete without recognizing the Rocket V-8 from Oldsmobile in 1949. Though not the first OHV design, it was the first one to really become successful and turn the engine world on its ears. The more well-known engines in the '50s and '60s were developed to complete with the awesome Rocket from Olds. Elements of the design of the Rocket engine continued through the ultimate demise of the Oldsmobile V-8 engine in 1990.
The Rocket was innovative, influential, and inspiring. Current engine technology would probably have been achieved anyway, but the Rocket was really the first to successfully challenge the flathead way of thinking.
The Rocket was innovative, influential, and inspiring. Current engine technology would probably have been achieved anyway, but the Rocket was really the first to successfully challenge the flathead way of thinking.
Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
In my opinion, any "best engine" discussion involving V-8 engines is incomplete without recognizing the Rocket V-8 from Oldsmobile in 1949.
Agreed but don't forget Cadillac brought out their V8 version in '49 as well that was also a success...
Here's a interesting read even though the author did seem to forget the Olds...
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2009/09/curbside-classic-1950-cadillac-series-61-coupe/
In my opinion, any "best engine" discussion involving V-8 engines is incomplete without recognizing the Rocket V-8 from Oldsmobile in 1949.
Agreed but don't forget Cadillac brought out their V8 version in '49 as well that was also a success...
Here's a interesting read even though the author did seem to forget the Olds...
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2009/09/curbside-classic-1950-cadillac-series-61-coupe/
Originally Posted By: KD0AXS
Originally Posted By: MuzzleFlash40
Originally Posted By: Roadkingnc
Ford modular v-8
+ 1
Smooth, reliable and powerful
+2
This is just one of our fleet at my work.
I've seen some of those (4.6) with some crazy high mileage too w/o ever being opened up.
Originally Posted By: MuzzleFlash40
Originally Posted By: Roadkingnc
Ford modular v-8
+ 1
Smooth, reliable and powerful
+2
This is just one of our fleet at my work.
I've seen some of those (4.6) with some crazy high mileage too w/o ever being opened up.
I think the Chevy 4.3 and Chrysler 3.9 pickup engines should be in there too as some of the best engines ever made.
Originally Posted By: dishdude
I'm thinking something that had a long production run that made it through carburetors, CAFE standards, FI, etc...
The absolute best ever has to be the small block Chevy. It was used for 5 decades, and is still being used as a crate motor for restoration projects. It's truly an American icon.
AMC 258 inline 6 comes to mind, also the Buick 3.8.
Many other honorable mentions in this thread too.
I think the 4.3 is basically a SBC.
I'm thinking something that had a long production run that made it through carburetors, CAFE standards, FI, etc...
The absolute best ever has to be the small block Chevy. It was used for 5 decades, and is still being used as a crate motor for restoration projects. It's truly an American icon.
AMC 258 inline 6 comes to mind, also the Buick 3.8.
Many other honorable mentions in this thread too.
I think the 4.3 is basically a SBC.
I guess I'll add mine.
F20C
22RE
Detroit Diesel 6v71 & 8v53
Cummins 6BT
Datsun L20B
Any Ford/Chevy/Dodge V8 (except for early LA360s and Chevy 305s)
Pentastar V6
Tecumseh 5.5HP
Any Mercedes-Benz diesel
Toyota 2F I6
EVERYTHING ELSE SUCKS
F20C
22RE
Detroit Diesel 6v71 & 8v53
Cummins 6BT
Datsun L20B
Any Ford/Chevy/Dodge V8 (except for early LA360s and Chevy 305s)
Pentastar V6
Tecumseh 5.5HP
Any Mercedes-Benz diesel
Toyota 2F I6
EVERYTHING ELSE SUCKS
Originally Posted By: Topo
GM's 3800 Series Engine (3.8L).
Yes! Buick's 231ci powerplant was one of GM's longest used engines.
Also, Toyota's 3sfe (2.0 4 cyl. used in the 87-91 Camrys as well as others). Not that powerful but reliable, easy to work on and very predictable.
And of course, Ford's 302ci (5.0L) pushrod V8. I had many a Crown Vic Grand Marquis go well over the 300K mark still running strong! Their modular V8 is also worth noting, but some of the things like non-existent spark plug threads used in the heads turn me off.
GM's 3800 Series Engine (3.8L).
Yes! Buick's 231ci powerplant was one of GM's longest used engines.
Also, Toyota's 3sfe (2.0 4 cyl. used in the 87-91 Camrys as well as others). Not that powerful but reliable, easy to work on and very predictable.
And of course, Ford's 302ci (5.0L) pushrod V8. I had many a Crown Vic Grand Marquis go well over the 300K mark still running strong! Their modular V8 is also worth noting, but some of the things like non-existent spark plug threads used in the heads turn me off.
F20C is a great little normally aspirated 4 cylinder engine that generates 120HP per liter and uses conventional 10W30 oil, after 13-15 years nobody can duplicate that feat.
Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
F20C is a great little normally aspirated 4 cylinder engine that generates 120HP per liter and uses conventional 10W30 oil, after 13-15 years nobody can duplicate that feat.
Not even Honda has duplicated that feat. After a couple of years' production, they increased its displacement to 2.2L, but left the power rating the same. Maybe they thought it was over-stressed.
F20C is a great little normally aspirated 4 cylinder engine that generates 120HP per liter and uses conventional 10W30 oil, after 13-15 years nobody can duplicate that feat.
Not even Honda has duplicated that feat. After a couple of years' production, they increased its displacement to 2.2L, but left the power rating the same. Maybe they thought it was over-stressed.
Originally Posted By: Win
Briggs & Stratton single cylinder flathead, and the myriad copies of same.
They make almost every aspect of everyday life and work easier.
Beat me to it!
Briggs & Stratton single cylinder flathead, and the myriad copies of same.
They make almost every aspect of everyday life and work easier.
Beat me to it!
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