Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I agree.... the Chevy 350 small block, but I will add more - as far as longegivity and OLDER cars...
The 455s in the early-mid 70s Pontiacs, Oldsmobiles and Buicks (all were same cubic inch, but were different engines).
The 1980s GM 5.0L 307 V8 (good engines, but underpowered for such heavy cars).
The 1980s Ford 5.0L 302.
The 1990s Ford 4.6L (had valve seal issues, but other than that they were bulletproof)
The 200 / 250 inline 6-cylinders in the older American cars.
The 1978-1985 Mercedes 2.2L and 2.4L 4-cylinder diesel (slow, but these things lasted over a million miles if cared for)
The 1981-1985 Mercedes 3.0L 5-cylinder diesel (again, lasted a million miles)
The 1988-1991 Mercedes 3.0L inline 6-cylinder gas (lasted a very long time, smooth, good mpg, but were known for premature valve stem seal failure and headgaskets, but were easy repairs on this engine)
The 1984-1985 Mercedes 3.8L V8 / 5.0L V8 and 1986-1991 5.6L V8 (but timing chain and components change are critical!)
The 1970-1979 Ford/Lincoln/Mercury 460 V8.
The 1986-1989 / 1990-1993 Honda Accord 2.2L 4-cylinder.
The inline 6-cylinders in the Toyota Land Cruisers.
The 1992-1996 Toyota Camry 2.2L 4-cylinder (aside from the oil leak issue).
The 1990-1994 Lexus 4.0L V8 (were also non-interference engines, the 95' became as such, but was still a super engine).
The 2.4L in the 1980s/early 90s Volvos.
The diesels in the VWs of the 70s and 80s.
The 225 slant 6 and 318 V8s in the older Mopars were super engines.
I am sure I left some out, but out of my past experiences, what I have read and from people I know that have had these, these are all really good engines above that I have mentioned.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Deez Nuttz
I'm going to say the Chevy 350. It's been around since 1967, being used until 1997 and was based off of a tried and true block that had been running 12 years in the making. Now offered as crate engines.
In addition the blocks are usually pretty strong (especially the high nickel 010 blocks), parts for them are everywhere and anywhere, usually are the cheapest to build as compared to other engines using same quality parts, can make 400 hp easy w/o breaking a sweat, 500 if you don't mind it being a little untame, can have good economy when built right, doesn't require much up keep.
This engine has been used in everything from street rods, to muscle cars to 4WD trucks, to mud boggers, to race cars. Also this is one engine that will fit almost any vehicle with minimal mods, making it one of the most universal engines.
I agree.... the Chevy 350 small block, but I will add more - as far as longegivity and OLDER cars...
The 455s in the early-mid 70s Pontiacs, Oldsmobiles and Buicks (all were same cubic inch, but were different engines).
The 1980s GM 5.0L 307 V8 (good engines, but underpowered for such heavy cars).
The 1980s Ford 5.0L 302.
The 1990s Ford 4.6L (had valve seal issues, but other than that they were bulletproof)
The 200 / 250 inline 6-cylinders in the older American cars.
The 1978-1985 Mercedes 2.2L and 2.4L 4-cylinder diesel (slow, but these things lasted over a million miles if cared for)
The 1981-1985 Mercedes 3.0L 5-cylinder diesel (again, lasted a million miles)
The 1988-1991 Mercedes 3.0L inline 6-cylinder gas (lasted a very long time, smooth, good mpg, but were known for premature valve stem seal failure and headgaskets, but were easy repairs on this engine)
The 1984-1985 Mercedes 3.8L V8 / 5.0L V8 and 1986-1991 5.6L V8 (but timing chain and components change are critical!)
The 1970-1979 Ford/Lincoln/Mercury 460 V8.
The 1986-1989 / 1990-1993 Honda Accord 2.2L 4-cylinder.
The inline 6-cylinders in the Toyota Land Cruisers.
The 1992-1996 Toyota Camry 2.2L 4-cylinder (aside from the oil leak issue).
The 1990-1994 Lexus 4.0L V8 (were also non-interference engines, the 95' became as such, but was still a super engine#.
The 2.4L in the 1980s/early 90s Volvos.
The diesels in the VWs of the 70s and 80s.
The 225 slant 6 and 318 V8s in the older Mopars were super engines.
I am sure I left some out, but out of my past experiences, what I have read and from people I know that have had these, these are all really good engines above that I have mentioned.
You forgot the Cadillac 472 and 500 V-8s.
They had a high nickel content and were very rugged and reliable.
They also had precise manufacturing. For instance, cylinder bores were honed to a tolerance of .0002" (two ten-thousands of an inch), the entire range between the smallest and largest bore.
The maximum clearance for the piston pin, which fastens the connecting rod to the piston, was .00015" (15 one-hundred thousands of an inch).
There have been some really good engines over the years.
The old flathead 6 cylinder Mopar engines that were used for decades.
Mopar's slant six and 318. l like the Hemi's too.
The Blue Flame, ohv, Chevy sixes were good engines. I think they were 235 cid.
The Ford 300 cid engine.
And there are many more.
But I think the Gm 350 is my favorite as far as dependability and longevity and all around perfomance.
I read an article one time about performance. In reality performance isn't how much power or torgue an engine puts out or how fast it makes a vehicle move down the road.
Performance is based on how well an engine meets the expected standard for which it was designed to perform over a period of time.
In other words, if you have a 5 hp lawn mower that cuts grass forever with no problems you have a high performance engine. It is based on how well any engine lives up to do what it was designed for.
I kind of agree with that.
Most of us wouldn't consider a 217 cid flathead Plymouth engine to be high performance.
But I have a 1949 Plymouth that runs everyday with that engine and it has never been torn down. As far as meeting the standards of doing what it was designed to do, I would think it could fall into the high performance catagory.
Sorry, I'm getting off topic.
There have been some really good engines over the years.
The old flathead 6 cylinder Mopar engines that were used for decades.
Mopar's slant six and 318. l like the Hemi's too.
The Blue Flame, ohv, Chevy sixes were good engines. I think they were 235 cid.
The Ford 300 cid engine.
And there are many more.
But I think the Gm 350 is my favorite as far as dependability and longevity and all around perfomance.
I read an article one time about performance. In reality performance isn't how much power or torgue an engine puts out or how fast it makes a vehicle move down the road.
Performance is based on how well an engine meets the expected standard for which it was designed to perform over a period of time.
In other words, if you have a 5 hp lawn mower that cuts grass forever with no problems you have a high performance engine. It is based on how well any engine lives up to do what it was designed for.
I kind of agree with that.
Most of us wouldn't consider a 217 cid flathead Plymouth engine to be high performance.
But I have a 1949 Plymouth that runs everyday with that engine and it has never been torn down. As far as meeting the standards of doing what it was designed to do, I would think it could fall into the high performance catagory.
Sorry, I'm getting off topic.
Robhu, I hear what you're saying about performance, but in most people's mind performance is generally associated with speed and power. When I hear the term 'high performance engine', my first thought is to think of high levels of horsepower, tremendous acceleration and high top speeds. I never think of high performance in terms of longevity, fuel economy or this green stuff of today. I have traditionally seen high performance as associated with very large displacements V8 engines (usually big block type engines) - that's just me. My thinking is still stuck in the late sixties and early seventies and always will be. My friends still joke that 4 and 6 cylinder engines are starter motors for big blocks.
Robhu, I hear what you're saying about performance, but in most people's mind performance is generally associated with speed and power. When I hear the term 'high performance engine', my first thought is to think of high levels of horsepower, tremendous acceleration and high top speeds. I never think of high performance in terms of longevity, fuel economy or this green stuff of today. I have traditionally seen high performance as associated with very large displacements V8 engines (usually big block type engines) - that's just me. My thinking is still stuck in the late sixties and early seventies and always will be. My friends still joke that 4 and 6 cylinder engines are starter motors for big blocks.
I'm not sure about that. I have a 68 vette with the high performance 327. That motor has many, many miles on her now, but she still pulls real hard and is very reliable. In fact I can't remember the last time I did anything but change the fluids. The one thing I will give you is it is not a green motor. It was built to drink as much fuel as possible.
I'm going to say the Chevy 350. It's been around since 1967, being used until 1997 and was based off of a tried and true block that had been running 12 years in the making. Now offered as crate engines.
In addition the blocks are usually pretty strong (especially the high nickel 010 blocks), parts for them are everywhere and anywhere, usually are the cheapest to build as compared to other engines using same quality parts, can make 400 hp easy w/o breaking a sweat, 500 if you don't mind it being a little untame, can have good economy when built right, doesn't require much up keep.
This engine has been used in everything from street rods, to muscle cars to 4WD trucks, to mud boggers, to race cars. Also this is one engine that will fit almost any vehicle with minimal mods, making it one of the most universal engines.
I would have to agree with you. The 350 I now have in my Camaro is one of the high nickle 010 blocks. What a GREAT engine. We were able to trace back where the block was originally installed..... it was a school bus lol.
Thats bad too considering thats one of my favorite cars! I meant to put that and forgot.
Yeah, they are super engines!
As a matter of fact, I am trying to potentially buy a 1972 Sedan DeVille, just like my first car in 1992! Wish me luck!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fleet
You forgot the Cadillac 472 and 500 V-8s.
They had a high nickel content and were very rugged and reliable.
They also had precise manufacturing. For instance, cylinder bores were honed to a tolerance of .0002" (two ten-thousands of an inch), the entire range between the smallest and largest bore.
The maximum clearance for the piston pin, which fastens the connecting rod to the piston, was .00015" (15 one-hundred thousands of an inch).
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.