Great Engines

[Arizona_928]

Haha alfa rule. I think you may be biased.

And you mean three amc / Chrysler 4.0?

[masraum]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

I was thinking the same thing (about the Chevy) but I wonder how many flat 4 VW's were built?

Good list, but yeah how to discern "great" = Most reliable? Most HP to CU? Most historical? Highest HP? Highest number produced? Best technology?

Originally Posted by pwd72s

Long lasting alone would make for a separate list. The mopar slant 6 would be at the top of my list in that regard.

I thought several of the motors on the list seemed fitting, including the 3 mentioned above, VW air-cooled 4, Chrysler slant 6 and SBC. I'm not surprised by Honda vtec or a cummins being in the list or the flathead or hemi. I'm not that familiar with the Duese, but I have heard of the Ferrari Columbo V-12.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by afterburn 549

How are we to measure great ?
The most simple?
Most popular?
least expensive?
The VW comes in 1st I think.

Per the website

We rounded up what we believed were the best engines – not necessarily the most powerful or advanced, but engines that made an impact on the automotive landscape. Some on this list were made for 70 years, and some were produced for less than a decade.

And the VW air-cooled flat 4 is the first on the webpage.

[Don Ro]

To me, it's longevity.
I've had 4 VW bugs........most miles on my '60 was 91k and many did not believe the odometer.
Kept it in perfect shape.

[Jeff Higgins]

... and on the seventh day, God created the Hemi...

No other motor before or since so dominated its targeted motorsports. It has to be one of the earliest, if not the first, motors to have had sanctioning bodies specifically handicap it so other makes could compete (weight breaks in NHRA Pro Stock, restrictor plates in NASCAR). It's basic design is still the basis for every Top Fuel and Funny Car motor on the planet.

[Dantilla]

The small-block Chevy has got to be the most versatile. How many types of vehicles has it powered?

Right from the showroom floor, everything from station wagons, to Corvettes, to pick-up trucks, pretty much Chevrolet's entire line.
-Then other commercial applications. Trucks, busses, ambulances, another lengthy list
-Let's not forget marine use- OMC and Mercruiser outdrives, and lots of inboard installations.

Lots of good engines on that list, but the small-block Chevy can power just about anything on the planet. Well,... maybe not a flashlight.

[Don Ro]

Hemi!!!
Forgot that one.

[Gogar]

Here's a vote for Toyota 22R

[john70t]

Originally Posted by Bill Douglas

I'm also pleased they mentioned the Honder B-series. I think even Carroll Shelby praised it at one time.

(My ricer side is showing but)
I once had a 10yo lightweight 4thGen Civic and pushed that wimpy B15 around hard.
Couple day trips from SF-SLO down the twisty California Hwy1 and that little masochistic thing just drove better the more it was pushed.
Decent mileage to boot.
Only thing from putting in a semi was the gearing.

[look 171]

Now that Gogar mentioned the 22R, that's one hell of a motor, 300000 and beyond. We are talking about N American mfgs. What about world wide? The Chevy 350 will have trouble fitting in those smaller cars even though the SBC can power everything with the exception of a flashlight. There must be another engine made by a none American firm that are just robust and durable?

What power those vans that run around Europe putting on million of miles? How about the trucks that run in places like the middle east, Africa and part of Asia. I know the modern days (80s on) are mostly Japenese or Merc. But what about from 60s and the 70s?

[look 171]

How about those Russian trucks? OI have seen videos of those damn thing taken to hell and back and they still run. That's gotta be worth a mention?

Oh yeah, those 80-90s Honda motor can run for a long time just like all my 20-22R(E)s

[sc_rufctr]

Great list but this one sticks out for me. "Chrysler Slant Six 1959 1987"

My dad had a Valiant with a slant 6 from new. It never gave him any trouble in almost 30 years of ownership.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by look 171

Now that Gogar mentioned the 22R, that's one hell of a motor, 300000 and beyond. We are talking about N American mfgs. What about world wide? The Chevy 350 will have trouble fitting in those smaller cars even though the SBC can power everything with the exception of a flashlight. There must be another engine made by a none American firm that are just robust and durable?

What power those vans that run around Europe putting on million of miles? How about the trucks that run in places like the middle east, Africa and part of Asia. I know the modern days (80s on) are mostly Japenese or Merc. But what about from 60s and the 70s?

I can't confirm this but my brothers USPS truck with the slant six, the chassis was stamped (sp) Gerstanslager so I am guessing it was made in Germany (with an american engine)?

[scottmandue]

Googled air cooled VW production:

Worldwide Post-War Production Figures for the Beetle during German dominated period (through 1980)

1945-- 1,785
1946-- 10,020
1947-- 8,987
1948-- 19,244
1949-- 46,146
1950-- 81,979
1951-- 93,709
1952-- 114,348
1953-- 151,323
1954-- 202,174
1955-- 279,986
1956-- 333,190
1957-- 380,561
1958-- 451,526
1959-- 575,407
1960-- 739,443
1961-- 827,850
1962-- 876,255
1963-- 838,488
1964-- 948,370
1965-- 1,090,863
1966-- 1,080,165
1967-- 925,787
1968-- 1,136,134
1969-- 1,219,314
1970-- 1,196,099
1971-- 1,291,612
1972-- 1,220,686
1973-- 1,206,018
1974-- 791,053
1975-- 441,116
1976-- 383,277
1977-- 258,634
1978-- 271,673
1979-- 253,340
1980-- 236,177

Worldwide Production Figures for Beetle after Production Halted in Germany

1981-- 157,505
1982-- 138,091
1983-- 119,745
1984-- 118,138
1985-- 86,189
1986-- 46,633
1987-- 17,166
1988-- 19,008
1989-- 32,421
1990-- 84,716
1991-- 85,681
1992-- 86,613
1993-- 104,710
1994-- 95,600
1995-- 33,361
1996-- 39,722
1997-- 35,678
1998-- 36,498

[scottmandue]

Surprised no mention of the 671 diesel, growing up it seemed almost every boat, bus, and tractor had one.