Best Ford engine ever made
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 18,787
Likes: 30
From: Melbourne, Aus
My "official vote" goes for the 351C and the turbocharged 4.0l inline six in "our" Falcon.
However, some notable mentions include:
Cosworth DFV - dominated F1 for 25 years (which is a massive effort in a sport where people have different engines every couple of weeks), was only beaten when turbocharging technology surpassed it.
Modular engine series - Darn reliable, and can make some serious power when allowed to
Aston Martin V12 - Never imagined 2 Ford 3.0l V6 Duratec engines could work so well when bolted together
Ford "Kent" 4 cyl - I may be wrong, but I believe this was the longest running production engine ever. Darn hard to kill
Ford RS500 Cosworth YBD block - Was capable of over 600hp when tuned (is a 2.0l 4 cylinder from the 80's)
However, some notable mentions include:
Cosworth DFV - dominated F1 for 25 years (which is a massive effort in a sport where people have different engines every couple of weeks), was only beaten when turbocharging technology surpassed it.
Modular engine series - Darn reliable, and can make some serious power when allowed to
Aston Martin V12 - Never imagined 2 Ford 3.0l V6 Duratec engines could work so well when bolted together
Ford "Kent" 4 cyl - I may be wrong, but I believe this was the longest running production engine ever. Darn hard to kill
Ford RS500 Cosworth YBD block - Was capable of over 600hp when tuned (is a 2.0l 4 cylinder from the 80's)
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,465
Likes: 0
From: Southern Alberta
Talking dependability or performance? Low maintenance costs? What constitiutes best?
-My favourite hands down is the 302. Good power, they last, are cheap to run, reasonable on gas, can be as powerful as your wallet is fat. Built and in regular use for well over 20 years.
But there is the Flathead V8... nothing sounds like a flathead .. a groundbreaking engine in so many ways.. also in use for over 20 years, as an industrial motor near 40
How about the Model T four banger? Do they last? I have one 78 years old that says yes.. also in use for over 20 years
Performance? How about the 427 SOHC. Made all the others of it's time look like kiddie toys. Still does.
-My favourite hands down is the 302. Good power, they last, are cheap to run, reasonable on gas, can be as powerful as your wallet is fat. Built and in regular use for well over 20 years.
But there is the Flathead V8... nothing sounds like a flathead .. a groundbreaking engine in so many ways.. also in use for over 20 years, as an industrial motor near 40
How about the Model T four banger? Do they last? I have one 78 years old that says yes.. also in use for over 20 years
Performance? How about the 427 SOHC. Made all the others of it's time look like kiddie toys. Still does.
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Elder User
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Eastern Iowa
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Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 692
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From: Saratoga USA
I think the Windsor series of engines is their best effort. They were produced for years, and were very compact and lightweight, durable, yet made excellent power. Where would the Mustang have been without the 289?
As an aside, people keep talking about the 427 SOHC engine, but it was for racing only, never put in a production vehicle, and when NASCAR challenged Ford to homologate it, they declined. Chrysler didn't, and the 426 Street Hemi was the result. Bottom line, for an engine or series of engines to be great, they have to be available to the general public in large numbers, and prove themselves over years of service in the harshest environment an engine can meet, Joe average consumer. (oil change, what's that??)
As an aside, people keep talking about the 427 SOHC engine, but it was for racing only, never put in a production vehicle, and when NASCAR challenged Ford to homologate it, they declined. Chrysler didn't, and the 426 Street Hemi was the result. Bottom line, for an engine or series of engines to be great, they have to be available to the general public in large numbers, and prove themselves over years of service in the harshest environment an engine can meet, Joe average consumer. (oil change, what's that??)
Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
like it was said earlier is this being based on performance and power or dependability and longevity? The most dependable engine was won easily by the inline 6 300 cid. I had a 91 f150 with a strait 6 that 21 mpg highway and started everytime and for a six cylinder had reasonable power. But the biggest power house ford ever built was the 460. Dont get me wrong the triton series engines are tough but ive seen both the 4.6 and 5.4 get wasted racing and pulling.
