I'll agree that the little blue engine had an indestructible botom end but they did have a problem with worn compression rings. They would get worn and "puff" like crazy from the breather tube(remember it was pre-PCV) and still not use any oil. I could come in to work in the morning, put rings and rod bearings in one and drive it to lunch. They didn't need mains or valve work, just rings. The little blue engine wouldn't pull a greasy string but the red 170 that came out in 62 (I think) was teh same except it had a longer stroke and had much more power.

 

I don,t know much about the older engines. i have been told that ford's 300I6 is a good warkhourse, and the 5.0 is a good racing engine. but my dad was a chrysler machanic for a while and he has nothing but good words for the slant 6. peasonaly of the engines I have worked on, the 351 in my dads 97 f350 catering truck is a good work engine, I like the 302 in my 81 f100 for power and speed, and then their is the mitubishi 2.0 DOHC in my 92 galant 5 spd, that thing is good for speed I beat anybody who tries to race me in that.

 

ok since some one said diesel how about as best the cat 1693 ta 425 horse twin ohc inline that almost put them oob. merlin v12 like p51 v12 smoooth, lets also not forget that chevy dog the 307, the inline sixes where all strong motors when kept up. the out most worst in my past was the type 4 from vw.
i would guess every company has some very good and very bad, the diesel converted gas where all duds. nice lists guys

 

Great list- but I'd delete the 305 (it wasn't that bad), and add
1. Cadillac 4100 aluminum V8 (durable as a potato chip)
2. Chevy 200 V6 (couldn't get one to run without bogging or stalling)
3. Chevy Cavalier 1.8L 4 cyl (perpetual idling problems)
4. Any Mopar engine equipped with the "lean burn" system. Computer would unplug itself rolling over potholes and die...the ones that didn't burn their valves up.

To the best engines, the Mopar 318 should get at least a honorable mention.

 

tim i beg to differ harley's do not leak they only mark thier spot, in reality what year was it as some had auto chain oilers for the primary and secondary chains that used engine oil, cases way back they used air craft sealer and it did not work that well. my 1961 pan did leak from the case halfs untill i got a bit ticked and used the new vw sealer for the alloy oil pan no more leaks,
i hope this site is able to stay forever it's a lot of fun great work on your and every one elses part

 

chevy 283 was a good motor but the ford 289 was the best the 318 is next in line and the 350 4bolt was a good motor as was the 351 c. of course the 4.6 is now tops in my book over 110,000 and never touched the motor as of yet.

 

Gald to see you around these parts, hang in there

 

I gotta agree with you but how can we forget the early aluminum V8s GM put in the compact Buick and Olds in the early 60s? They overheated before you got home. Also how about the early Quad 4s? You can take a nice car to the car sale and the dealers will run over to it eagerly until they open the hood and see the engine. Then they run like rats from a sinking ship (like they did when they saw the 350 diesel).

 

re: aluminum V8. Ah yes, the engine Rover owners have known and loved for decades. And the early quad 4's. Ya know, there's a common thread here- GM's brought out some great engines over the years, but they sure dropped some schrapnel out on the market too.

 

I don't understand why everyone criticizes the chevy 305. They were very strong and reliable in the marine market, just as reliable as the 350. For petes sakes you are only looking at a smaller displacement 350.

 

I've been trying to figure that one out myself. Sounds a lot like the 302/351 story.

 

I am 16 and own a 300 straight 6 its a 88 fuel injected i have 12. 5 wide tires 35 in tall i can spin with it on any pavement (in granny gear or 2nd)(although not sure what axle i had but it torqued the rear end so hard it spun my axle which snapped the pinion gear and had enuff to torque to crush 2 in my opinion well designed 4 in lift blocks).

Altough sry ford guys but my dad has a newer 6.0 chevy 2500 that has some serious pulling power he pulled my truck a mile home with a chain after i snapped my pinion dont think throttle was over 1/4 of the way the whole time (and i can make it spin in third) lotsa fun.

 

There is a common thread. When GM dominated the market they could get by with introducing unproven and untested technology and letting the public be the test dummies. However, they can no longer do that (hopefully). Some of their best engines started out with severe problems that were worked out. Remember the camshaft problems on the early 350s, the valve eating early big blocks (396), the rough running 3800 due to the incorrect V-angle (corrected by offset crank journals), etc. Once they got them right, they were good but others failed (Vega, 350 diesel, 4.3 V6 Diesel, etc ) as did wonderful technology such as the Turboglide, Dynaflow, air ride suspension (remember 58 Chevys with a 348, Turboglide and air ride suspension?).

 

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the turboglide came out in 57- drive, low, grade, reverse at the bottom. 348 the stone crusher drop it on a stone and crush it. 58 to 61 then the 409 mid year 409 409 hp not the worst .how about the old small ponti that had the sawed in half 389 -4 cly. motor or the small olds with the alloy engine that could not keep heads on it?
305 marine! mercruiser still uses it a good motor esp with efi, now a 307 that may just possibly be the bad chevy small block 283 block 327 crank.
i truly feel there are many bad ones out there we have our personal choice.