All time greatest engine?

327 corvette

 

I love the flatheads. I can understand why people like the sbc. For me personally, I just love the 392. Always have. Everyone has their own thoughts and preferences for choosing their greatest engine of all time. The Hemi just does it for me. Perhaps a biased opinion..........here are some pics of mine.

 

Nice shots!!! Wish I could reach inside my TV and touch it.. How about some pics of the motor with the Zoomies??? Thanks!

 

Zoomies for you!

 

Thanks Farmer! Those pics look fantastic on the HD wide screen...

 

Top three would have to be
Hemi (not used in fuel for no reason)
Ford 427 sohc cammer (plain wicked)
Sbc (popularity, low cost, mass production)

 

VERY TRUE, Rich.

Another interesting "First" is the Peugeot DOHC inline 4-cyl from about 1916 that pre-dated the Offenhauser (which used the same basic design) by about 30-years, and almost 100-years later, is probably the most modern engine design today.

The '49 Cad-Olds V-8 were certainly not a first, but they sure started a lasting trend in America! BIG power, and relatively cheap to mass produce.

You are right; being truly 'first' at anything (automotive or otherwise) IS very difficult.

JG

 

Although it won't do much good in your hot rod, the best engine ever built was undoubtedly built by Briggs & Stratton.

 

My vote is for the Flathead. Watching people go the SBC route on their builds is like watching the lemmings jump off the hill.

 

I disagree. The john deere hit and miss were simple basici engineering.

The greatest engine will probably never be built. Way too many governing entities involved. Too many compromises involved and if it is developed they will probably not be massed produced.

I am non denomination. They all have good points and bad points. I really like them all from a model T to a Cooper Besserman. I even like Harley engines that produce every little horsepower but a lot of noise. Some of the foreign motor cycle engines have a weight to horsepower ratio that is unbelievable. Two cycle chain saw engines have awesome rpms.

 

After trying to contact Al Gore, talking it over with the dog, checking the temperature, and having a couple cups of coffee with heavy whipping cream a conclusion has been made. I doubt if any body can argue with this conclusion.

Often copied but never duplicated (thank god) is the Harley V twin. Same basic design for 100 years and all kinds of clones.

 

There's a reason the SBC is so over used in hotrods. They're the cheapest HP you can find, and a great choice. Can't argue with success!

 

While there is merit to your observation, there was a time when the same could have been said about the Ford flathead.

 

I hate to be the one to ask this.. But what's gonna happen when all the V-8 flatheads dry out???....

 

Gotta love "poppin johnnies"! Not much power for a traditional hot-rod, but I guess you dont have to worry about what kinda gas you put in it anyway...

 

The best? Gotta be the Peugeot that raced at Indy, killed some parts and was shipped to Harry Millers shop in LA for a rebuild. He copied the best of it and improved the rest and we the the beginning of the Miller/Offys, which are the best of the best....in my oh-so-opinionated opinion.....I love the little 90 cube eight that Speedy Bill has in his museum.

 

Wrong! The mouse motor is still main stream and going strong 55 years later. Can't say the same for the flatheads which are no longer mainstream. And as far as the Hemis go, they copied the Ardurn head that was designed for the flathead and designed by the same guy who became the father of the corvette. Chevrolet U.S.A-1

 

At one time it was true. I said, "at one time". There is nothing "wrong" about that.

 

nothing sounds better or looks better (102k miles ) 322 nailhead and 4 speed in a 49 chevy

 

When I built my first flathead in 1958, every body said I was crazy, "build a Chevy, it will make more horsepower." Here it is 50 years later and I'm building a Chevy to replace my flathead. Flatheads have a great "cool" factor but if you want a fast, easy to build street engine, Chevy has it, hands down. You can't argue with success.

 

Just to be different considering the kind of hot rods (well gowjobs) I'm into (pre WW2) I'd pick this, 1913 Peugeot, 4 valves per cylinder, hemi, desmo valves and the best looking exhaust manifold ever.

Fred Offenhauser (as did Harry Miller) worked on this engine and it was said to inspire him to create what he did.



Thanks

Hayden

 

Cut and dried,S.B.C. All the Flathead guys down the smallblock and 60% of the SBC owners wish they had a flathead,but they aren"t as plentiful and the ones that are for sale,hell anybody would rather pay $1000 for 300hp over paying $3 to $4 thousand for an 85 hp flathead.As long as HotRods are built both will be around and be argued about.

 

I AGREE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hemi hands down .....................The ULTIMATE .

 

................Who copied and earlier Daimler design . Chrysler MADE the engine popular and had the sense to mass produce it as a mainstream engine (not an aftermarket band aid like the Ardun ) . !!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-o76vJLVtlU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvZt4nTaYzk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UeX9mPoC8j0&feature=related

 

400 small block chevy.

 

Ryan has a strong point here

as guys & gals we love those motors we have and remember
mine was the Olds Rocket i drove in Chicago loved the roar of that Rochester 4 barrel

 

Early Hemi has to be the best engine. Let's face it, everybody has a flathead anymore. It's almost like the SBC. The early Hemis are bulletproof! And nothing says "Manly" like having to scrape the bugs off your valve covers!

 

Opinions are like assholes so heres mine. Greatest is Early Oldsmobile 49-56 and SBC.

 

Indian had the first V-twin. So Harley cloned them.