[masraum]

Originally Posted by cabmandone

I'm with Tobra on this one. Those things were about as bulletproof as any engine could be. They put those things in one ton work vehicles!

Someone mentioned the Chevy 4.3... solid engine too but I don't think it reached the level of reliability of the Ford inline 6.

For modern I'd go with a NA 3.5L from Ford. Those things lasted. Why the hell Ford chose to go turbo "ecoboost" is beyond me. Toytota is still cranking out a NA 3.5 that is rock solid.

Right, the Chevy 4.3 was just a 350 with 2 cyl lopped off.

My understanding is that the straight 6s were pretty bullet proof, Chrysler 225, Chevy 250, and Ford 300. I think the SBC would have to be up there too, and clearly based on this thread the 318 (what about the 340 and 360), and then Ford 289/302.

And I wonder about the 70s SBC issue that was mentioned, was that actually the motors or a change in the oil formulations.

I saw a thing the other day by several motor/oil guys that said that there was a problem at one point with cam lobes that was due to motor oil formulation.