The 240/300 engine made it in production vehicles for 31 years (65-96) Anyone know what other engines have that long of stock, off the line, production runs? Any records? I recognise that the 86-96 engines are quite a lot different. But its still very recognisable as a 300.

And, yes, I hear that some 300 engines may still be in production for industrial applications. But that doesn't exactly count (though says something about 300 engines, doubtless).

 

Interesting question. The 221 came out in 1962 in the Fairlane rated at 145 hp. Bore was 3.5, 2.87 stroke. Later that year bore went up .030 to net 260ci. Then of course came the 4.0 x 2.87 289 etc etc. So my guess would be the small block V8's, started in 62 and AFAIK they were putting 302's in Explorers up until about 96.

 

The vw beattle was made from essentially 1939-1999. I dont know if they had the same engine is them. What about the small block chevy, it was from 62? to around '98? Something like that.

 

LOL good point! I just assumed he meant Ford.

 

Small block chevy started as 265 cu in around 1955 and the same basic engine is still in production in various forms.

 

The Gen III Small Block Chevy is a virtually clean sheet of paper based design that addressed all the smallblock's shortcomings. The only shared design parameter is the bore spacing. Even still, it ran from 1955 to 2000 I believe, and still lives on in crate motor form to this day. Assuming that we are only talking production based, I think the last "small block" was the 350 in the vans, in 2,000. Still that's 45 years. The VW Bug used the same basic engine architecture up to it's demise, so I guess that at 60 years, it's got the Chevy Small Block beat.

 

Detroit deisel 6-71. If my memory serves me right they have been made since 1938. Still being used today. I have one in a 1977 international cabover sitting in my yard. Still drive it at least once a week.

 

Just noticed a typo FWIW, the bore increase was 0.3, not 0.03.

 

Dodge has made the 318 forever. Not sure of the dates but I think it is still being produced. John

 

Well, the 302 ran what, 30 years? And the longest running production Ford engine? I believe it would be the lowly 2.3 inline 4. Introduced in 1970 as the 1600/2000cc Pinto engine, it is still in use today. Increased in the 70s to 2300cc, it is largely the same engine today. In the 80s Ford added EFI and a second spark plug for each cylinder to lower emissions, but that's about it. 35 years and still in use, it continues to be the base engine on the Ranger.

 

Actually, that 2.3 4 cyl is a darn good little engine. I had one in an Escort station wagon. I hadn't even thought of it. Tough little bugger. No glamour. Always started. Always came home.

 

The 302 is in the 260 289 302 351 family mentioned earlier.

 

Longest running production Automotive engine was the Volkswagon opposed four. I even recall more than a few being modified for aircraft use. (I wouldn't fly it.)

If I recall, the four cylinder 140 C/I GM industrial engine, also used as a marine engine, used for pumps, forklifts, stationary and mobile air compressors, irrigation motivators and only god knows what else, has been in production since 1942 or so, and still is. It's one tough little cookie.

I wonder how long the 318 has been in production myself, I seem to recall owning a 1950's Mopar of some sort with one in it, and I know they still stuff them in their pickups.

 

Just a note about the 318. The 1966 and earlier 318 was a completely different engine than the 1967 and later 318. The Ford flathead V8 was first produced in 1932 and was produced by the French into the 1990's.

 

IIRC the 2.3 four started life in english fords as a 1600cc ohv-I had one in a cortina. Pos. ground "Lucas electrics. Also found it's way into the Lotus.I don't know when they started production in England.