Thread: 10 Greatest engines of all time

As with any such list, it begs the question "What do you mean by 'greatest'?"

I would say that this would have to be those engines that have made a significant impact on the history of motoring (considering it is a car magazine).

A few suggestions -

1. Ford 'T' engine. This is the engine that changed motoring from a rich person's hobby to everyday transport. But it was significantly, one of the first engines with a detachable cylinder head, and certainly the first such to be produced in significant numbers.

2. Ford flathead V8. For the same reasons it is in the original list.

3. VW flat four. Again for the same reasons.

4. Chevrolet four of, from memory, 1914. This was the first mass produced affordable overhead valve engine, which had a very large number of direct descendants, not only GM down probably to today, but was also copied by Austin, with descendants including the mini and passed on to Nissan with further descendants. Also descendants from Chvrolet include many Toyota engines.

5. White and Poppe engines used in the Morris to produce affordable motoring in the UK - but not great for this reason, but rather because they were the first car engines with fully interchangeable parts - no fitting required.


I'll leave it at that, but these perhaps give the idea of what I think should rate as greatest motors.

The Rolls Royce Merlin has to be the greatest engine of all time.

Before opening the attachment, the Jaguar engine sprang to mind.
I would have included the big Cummins, from the NH 220 (hp) of 743 cui through its various incarnations to the 525 hp N14 Plus at 855 cui. After over 40 years of production, virtually no parts were interchangeable but, the basic design remained the same. It was a sweet engine to drive, giving incredibly high service mileage even with excessive wear.
I'm surprised the two stroke Detroits didn't rate a mention, if only for their versatility.

One thing I have noticed is that American style auto engines seem to need a lot of CC to get the same power &/or torque that the Europeans do with just a few CC?
Maybe wrong but my observation.
Jonesfam

I couldn't see 300Tdi on the list to vote

Originally Posted by Shortie

I couldn't see 300Tdi on the list to vote

Thats because the cam belt broke smashed the valves and rocker gear and cracked the head

Originally Posted by rangieman

Thats because the cam belt broke smashed the valves and rocker gear and cracked the head

This is an engine thread,not fishing . Pat

Originally Posted by jonesfam

One thing I have noticed is that American style auto engines seem to need a lot of CC to get the same power &/or torque that the Europeans do with just a few CC?
Maybe wrong but my observation.
Jonesfam

A bigger problem with the American engines is that while European engines use cc's or cubic centimetres, American engines are still using cubic inches.

That would have to be holding back progress!