GMC V6 info, just because it was mentioned:

http://www.6066gmcguy.org/305V6.htm

Just some observations after reading through this thread.

--funny how BMW and up till recently Mercedes can fit an inline 6 in a car but Ford can't fit one in a truck. (probably not the 300, but inlines are smoooth so where is a newer version, huh huh huh?)

--I see it everywhere here, people think 3700 rpm is stratospheric. Yes, my 300 starts to vibrate at 3000 rpm, but it is now possible to build a durable engine that will comfortably, quietly, smoothly, without overheating, run 3700 rpm all day, day after day. In fact, it has been possible for some time. Check the far sides of the Atlantic and Pacific for samples. Even our POS GM minivan runs fine in 3rd up hills at 3500 rpm, with 5 people and their crap on board.

--transmissions are made to multiply torque. When the 300 was introduced, US mfgs were still thinking "3 speed".... With the narrow powerband of a 300, this adds up to slow and a half...

--a 15 ton dump truck with a 300 would be a miserable POS night or day, flat or hill, loaded or unloaded....


--engines like the 300 are outdated, and the answer, again to be found elsewhere, is the light duty diesel that runs rpm wise more like a gasser and is not a noisy paintshaker. (European BMWs can provide a preview) You don't need a 2/3 scale over-the-road power train to haul a half ton, Exploder or similar size vehicle.

.02