engine for parts and mechanical repairs?
Curious what people have to say.
Curious what people have to say.
Opinion: on the easiest, cheapest
- Thread starter Ramblin Fever
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Well, the small block Chevrolet 350 c.i. V8 would be at or near the top, hands down.
Next would probably be the Ford 4.6L SOHC V8.
Third would probably be the Dodge 318 c.i. V8.
I chose these mainly because these engines are domestic and are used in such a huge variety of vehicles (cars, trucks, fleet vehicles, etc.).
Next would probably be the Ford 4.6L SOHC V8.
Third would probably be the Dodge 318 c.i. V8.
I chose these mainly because these engines are domestic and are used in such a huge variety of vehicles (cars, trucks, fleet vehicles, etc.).
Not the 402 LQ9
Cheapest for repairs and parts means the most common thus the most OEM parts floating around...that would be the chevy small block....
Cheapest for repairs and parts means the most common thus the most OEM parts floating around...that would be the chevy small block....
I would think the 302/351W Ford would be cheaper and easier to find parts for than the 4.6 Ford. The 4.6 is a pretty complex engine compared to the others. Not a Ford guy though so maybe something defies logic.
I would agree with what is being stated. Cheapest would be the most popular, so for OEM stuff, SBC then SBF, then the 318, but for aftermarket, d or b series Honda may be catching up. Easiest to work on, anything made more than 25 years ago. My old mustang could store three bodies in the engine bay without a problem. My old Honda (93 prelude), could store a possum, but not without trapping it inside.
With the exception of the oil filter, my vote goes to the 1.9L Saturn engines.
But most 4-cyls should be quite easy to work on, so perhaps the 2.2L GM Ecotec may be cheaper for parts since its a domestic.
But most 4-cyls should be quite easy to work on, so perhaps the 2.2L GM Ecotec may be cheaper for parts since its a domestic.
Newer or older engines?
For pure ease of repair you can't beat the old flathead engines. Change a head gasket? 30 minutes if you take your time. Rebuild one of the old Dodge 230 cid's in an afternoon and have it back in and running by evening if you don't have to have the crank turned.
For pure ease of repair you can't beat the old flathead engines. Change a head gasket? 30 minutes if you take your time. Rebuild one of the old Dodge 230 cid's in an afternoon and have it back in and running by evening if you don't have to have the crank turned.
My vote would have to be for the VW Type 1, (Beetle) engine. Once you learned your way a rebuild plus in and out of the car was a 5-6 hour job, two people could easily pick it up,A pair of rebuilt heads, new jugs and pistons,bearings, gasket set, and new pushrod tubes ran around $100.
The Type 1 engine is certainly the cheapest and easiest to find parts for, if you know where to look for them.
SBC and Ford 289/302 would be my second choices.
Briggs & Stratton or Tecumseh L-head air-cooled single cylinder horizontal shaft.
Brings back old memories. My bro and I used to drop the engine on the ground w/floor jack, then we would both lift the Volkswagen over the engine.
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