Adam
1965 Zenith
We've had threads about what's the best car ever, or what car would you most like to have, but how about a thread specific to engines. What engines do you like the best or have had the best experiences with? I'm calling this thread vintage engines, so just 1970s or older...
Going sort of chronologically my choices are:
The Buick Straight 8: from 1931-1953, from 1937-1952 in it's largest form the 320. In 1941 it came with 2 2 barrel carbs and dual exhaust stock. I think the Buick straight 8 as one of the first overhead valve engines has a lot of potential for performance that is generally overlooked compared to other engines of the era such as the flathead ford or the chevy 6.
Cadillac flathead V8 348ci: with the exhaust exiting the head on the top of the engine next to the intake instead of on the side, this engine is just in here because it is unusual to look at.
Cadillac 331 ci. OHV V8: it is the first of it's kind along with the 303 olds motor in '49.
Buick nailhead: 53-66, particularly that 425 with dual quads...
Chrysler 413 with ram induction: As much as I am a GM guy, this might be my choice for all around greatest motor ever made, never driven a car with one, but I feel a sense of awe when ever I look at one...
Cadillac 472 and 500: for just being so big...
Chrysler hemi: this list wouldn't be complete without it 392, 426, all of them...
Boss 429: I had to put at least one Ford motor...
small block Chevy: they're everywhere, they put out a good amount of power for a relatively lightweight motor, and lots of good aftermarket speed parts available, I've had many good experiences with them...
348/409: they look good with those W shaped valve covers, and came stock with 3x2 bl on the 348 and 2x4 for the 409.
Buick 215 Aluminum V8, small but in a small car as the Skylark/Special was with the lightweight aluminum block, I think this would be an interesting car to have especially if you could find one with a 4 speed...
Buick 455: because I have one...
Anyway, there's 12, I can go on and on but I'll stop there ....
Going sort of chronologically my choices are:
The Buick Straight 8: from 1931-1953, from 1937-1952 in it's largest form the 320. In 1941 it came with 2 2 barrel carbs and dual exhaust stock. I think the Buick straight 8 as one of the first overhead valve engines has a lot of potential for performance that is generally overlooked compared to other engines of the era such as the flathead ford or the chevy 6.
Cadillac flathead V8 348ci: with the exhaust exiting the head on the top of the engine next to the intake instead of on the side, this engine is just in here because it is unusual to look at.
Cadillac 331 ci. OHV V8: it is the first of it's kind along with the 303 olds motor in '49.
Buick nailhead: 53-66, particularly that 425 with dual quads...
Chrysler 413 with ram induction: As much as I am a GM guy, this might be my choice for all around greatest motor ever made, never driven a car with one, but I feel a sense of awe when ever I look at one...
Cadillac 472 and 500: for just being so big...
Chrysler hemi: this list wouldn't be complete without it 392, 426, all of them...
Boss 429: I had to put at least one Ford motor...
small block Chevy: they're everywhere, they put out a good amount of power for a relatively lightweight motor, and lots of good aftermarket speed parts available, I've had many good experiences with them...
348/409: they look good with those W shaped valve covers, and came stock with 3x2 bl on the 348 and 2x4 for the 409.
Buick 215 Aluminum V8, small but in a small car as the Skylark/Special was with the lightweight aluminum block, I think this would be an interesting car to have especially if you could find one with a 4 speed...
Buick 455: because I have one...
Anyway, there's 12, I can go on and on but I'll stop there ....
