Top ten engines of the 20th century

Didnt find this on search. If it is, no need for a lecture.

Saw Ward's top ten engine list of the 20th century and think it makes good sense:

1. early Cadillac L-Head flathead (first m*** produced V8 and flathead)

2. Ford Model t I4 aka four banger.

3. Ford V8 Flathead

4. Buick 3800 V6

5. Chevy Small Block V8

6. VW flat 4

7. BMW M06 (straight six started in late 60's)

8. Porsche flat 6

9. Honda inline 4

10. Toyota/Lexus V8 "UZ" (quad cam, 32 valve V8)

Good list. Proud that half of the motors are American. Wonder how the 21st Century list will work out, and how American motors will sit on it?

-scott noteboom

 

I hope they also considered

- Chrysler Hemi
- Cadillac OHV V8
- Ferrari V12
- smallblock Ford V8

 

Agree with some, but not all. Some are a variation of another, like the horizontally opposed 4's and 6's, both developed by related companies. Missing some others. I would add several that are still in production or long gone.

Agree with the Chrysler Hemi and the V12, not necessarily the Ferrari, as it was not the first of it's kind, (Lincoln had one in the Zephyr in the 30's), but certainly the most advanced. I would add the ****el (rotary) as a significant engine even though it is not wisely used.

 

Gotta agree. Other than the Lexus...remember a certain boat company teaming with Lotus to design and build a 32v V8 that came ina certain late 80's-early 90's Corvette? The LT-5 would replace that Lexus motor anyday in my book. But, what do I know? I like hot rods...not luxury cars.

 

Im not sure that the Cadillac or Ford OHV are different enough than the SBC in design to stand out over it-- they are similar design. That said, the small block Chevy just made such a positive impact on the world.

The Hemi..... yes, i agree that it should have been considered.

Yes, also see your point on the Ferrari motor as well.

-scott noteboom

 

What about Big Block Chevy?

 

Here's the original article, it was written in 2000.
http://waw.wardsauto.com/ar/auto_best_engines_th/

 

in my opinon...would have to be

SBC
flathead
426 hemi
inline 6 chevy
BBC
inline BMW
VW flat 4
nailhead
olds rocket
302 ford

"MY" opinion

 

hmmmm....it's in 5 of my 6 vehicles.....

but surely doesn't belong on a list with that ferrin junk

 

excellent to read the real article. thanks for sharing.

-scott noteboom

 

Any one hear of a Offy (miller)?

 

I think what goes on a list like this depends on your point of reference. A gear head will develop a different list than a tree hugger or a "bean counter", etc. From my point of reference, the list gets maybe a 3 out of 10.


I thought the author dropped the ball by showing respect to Henry Ford and Ferdinand Porsche, but failing to give props to Arkus Duntov.

 

You missed one of THE most important ones... life would be a lot different without it (and the famous plane(s) that used it)...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolls-Royce_Merlin

Ben

 

BBC ?? the only thing unique about that engine is in the head design which looks su****iously like a '55 Plymouth design...

 

I think the toyota 22r 4-banger should have been included.

Those 80's toyota pickups would go half a million miles if you changed the oil regularly.

I also think the mercedes diesel should have been mentioned as well, considering the mileage they'd rack up.

Maybe the caddy northstar?

And the considering the fact that all the top drag racing guys are all still running variations of the hemi, I think it definitely should have made it on the list.

 

This post reminds me of an interview of a hot rodder I once saw on TV. It might have been Art Arfons. The quote made was that the inside of an Allison V12 looked like a piece of artwork. It certainly helped us win WWII.

 

You read my mind with that list!! I agree fully

Oh yeah those toyota pick ups are the **** as shop trucks, I beat the **** out of one forever and it ran like the day we got it till it got stolen....

 

Or the 20R.....or the 18R-G....which are all loosely based on the first R engines.................back in 1953.
Very DURABLE.....

Good list.....

 

1914 Peugeot "les Charletans" first hemi-pent roof twin cam motor, Generally accepted as the grandaddy of the Miller, Bugatti and Alfa. Who then begat Offy, Jaguar and Osca. Who then begat 4cam Ford,Cosworth and well... Ferrari. Is that 10!!!!

 

Olds rocket should be at or near the top of the list since they were the first ohv v8 and the building block of the sbc (I may be biased here). Also agree with flat4 and 6 are the same and those Toyota 4 bangers are amazing as well as the benz diesels, I think the record for most miles is still held by MB? Somebody confirm/deny this.

 

That is a very good point. Plus those engines sound like pure horsepower when they are fired up.

 

love it or hate it the sbc has had the most impact of all.

 

This would be closer to what I would think. Should be top 25.

 

Glad you said it, I was getting to the bottom of this thread without seeing the 303 Olds. Theee very first overhead valve V8, then Caddy 6 months later.

As far as I'm concerned it goes: 1932 Ford V8, 1949 303 Olds Rocket, everything else. Everything else since the first 303 that has the valve on top of the piston and not in the block is a variation of Kettering's Olds 303.

 

There should be no list... the SBC owns them all!!!

 

+1.

 

Surprisingly, I recently read of a SAAB, of all things, that had the record for mileage.
However, as a cl*** of vehicles, the D-B cast iron 617 series diesel has to be the hands-down winner of the high-mileage-is-expected award. Nearly all have over 200,000 miles, many over 300,000, and quite a few over 500,000 miles, most on the original engine.
That puts it on my list.
SBC is a given, as is the flathead Ford. I'd not give the 'T' engine a go, as it was a copy of all that went before, no innovation. The car itself is worthy of a mention, but as a unit.
Lincoln was not the first twelve by far, Packard was, and a better engine by far, yet I'd rather nominate one of the V16's, either Marmon or Cadillac, though just the overheads.
Cadillac also gets the nod for OHV V8, as Olds ramped up their program in response to the Cadillac.
The Hemi, yes, but which one?? The Welch, which in 1901 had a Hemi-head twin (the first). Later there were fours and sixes, all Hemi-head design. Yet the MoPar has a cult following nearly unlike anything else. But early or late??
As to DOHC, Duesenberg J and SJ, 320 hp in 1932. 'Nuff said.
Buick V6!?!? Why???
Porsche and VW are more the entire than just the engine, though the VW has been used to power more oddball and weird **** than just about anything else. Even cut in half!!
Ferrari V12?? Yup, if only because of the sound.
Cosmo

 

y not the Rolls or Merlins they made a big impact being in air planes during the 40s i seen a sprint car with a Rolls in it one time fast mofo!!! i think the 331 and the other small Hemis that came out first should be to if it wasnt for them then there would not have be the 426!!!!drag racing and hot rodding wold have never been the same with out that!

 

Who in the hell is Sam Ward and how does the 3800 v6 fit in that list?

 

You got those backwards, the Olds 303 was absolutely the first overhead valve V8, the Cad was 6mo later.

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