I drove a 1985 Mercedes 300D Turbodiesel for 29 years, and 391K miles. It was still cranking easily and running strong the day I sold it. The engine was the one part of that car which never, ever had a problem.
My 216 “ stove bolt “ Thrift Master inline 6 is still motoring along on its dip and splash connecting rod oil system. Now in its 71’st year of powering it’s 1/2 ton pickup chassis. One barrel downdraft Rochester carburetor with oil bath cleaner. Starts at -40 or +110. She’s earned a reliable reputation as well.
Those inlines are tough to beat! I drove my Dad's 1964 Ford Falcon in high school that we had restored and it had a 200 ci inline six with a 2 speed manual shift auto transmission. The car didn't have a lot of speed but, it did have plenty of torque to pull more than the rear suspension would take. My Dad still has it and one day will probably restore it again.
@@brandonboulton2776 hack ya I got all drunk one time and went in a ditch … tore a hole in the oil pan didn’t know it at the time anyway I kept going till I got home ( 30 miles ) ol 6 banger Wes a little hot but fixed oil pan added oil and no damage.
The Ford 4.6L V8 is a no brainer. It was used in the Crown Vic, Grand Marquis and thousands of Explorers. These motors were used in police cars, taxies and other commercial equipment. They regularly ran up milage in the 300 to 400 thousand miles with only regular maintenance. I own a 02 Explorer with 200k miles and not any major engine work performed. I expect it can easily go another 200k. The 4.6L is truly bullet proof.
The Dodge 5.9L Magnum V8 is a very solid and reliable gas engine. I have a 1996 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 that’s still running like a top at over 375,000 miles!
As a kid my neighbor who owned a Lumber business bought two of those Mercedes cars with that 5 cyl diesel . Both of those cars outlasted him , his wife , and both of their two children! Amazing!
I would add the Ford 289/302, I agree totally with the Ford 300I6 I have 2 1960's block 300's. I have to add the 6.9l IDI International Navistar non turbo diesel engine. They just run forever, mine had 786,000+ miles on it when I sold it back to the guy I bought it from for more than I paid. The Yamaha SHO V6 is also an impressive engine and can last indefinitely as long as the cam shims are done every 60k miles.
@@nicholasst.dennis2446 they're definitely not horsepower monsters and they get wheezy past 3,500 rpm generally, they do have significant low end torque to get heavy loads moving, not quickly but they can with the correct: intake, carburetor and exhaust, camshaft, cylinder head porting, increases compression, better ignition, they can really wake up. Boosting a 300 is becoming commonplace and they're great runners. The original 1960's engines to 1972 had the best power potential and highest compression from the factory, ditching that 1 barrel carburetor log intake manifold and going with a 2V or 4V give them immediate huge power gains.
They all have something in common , inline configuration , and simplicity , i’ve known a couple of inline six AMC’ Cherokees going well north of 700000 miles .
My dad just gifted me a 1998 Jeep Cherokee Sport with 115k miles. The only problems are the a/c and a rusted/broken shock absorber mount on the front passenger side. It runs but I can’t seem to find anyone interested in repairing.
One thing they all have in common. All were cast iron blocks with cast iron heads. Today's engines are built with aluminum, sleeves & plastics. As soon as they overtemp things start twisting out of shape. One thing I don't miss is changing points and condensor (always carried a spare set with a nail file). Also spare wires with spray for when its cold & wet out. Ahhh the good ole days.
I would venture to say that the slant 6 should be on this list. and the list should really be inline 6's that are indestructible. LS V8's LM7 Duramaxes, 7.3 power strokes and the Nissan Skyline motors would also qualify and since we are going there, if the 3.8 V6 has the upgraded intake gaskets that do not leak coolant into the crank then the GM 3.8 V^ seems like a very good thought as well
Volvo B18, and B20 inline 4-cylinders made form the mid sixties to the mid seventies. Frequently went 500,000 miles or more with just routine maintenance. The 1969 144, with the B20, which my parents bought new, had 385,000-miles when it got totaled by a drunk driver, while parked at the curb, in 1984. No loss of compression on any cylinder. Two starters, and alternator, and a water pump had been replaced. Five or six clutches though, mom never quite figured out how to feather a clutch, and not slip it.
Most car companies went with the V6 because of the size for front wheel drive. They can mount it either direction and only need to produce one engine. Saves them money.
The Buick 3800 is deadly reliable and not an I6. Piston configuration really has nothing to do with reliability. It mostly has to do with the duty cycle it's designed for. If it is intended to be used in trucks and as a stationary power plant you can bet it was designed to last and run at full output for days. Even if that output is not much. Engines like the Big Block Chevy that are qualified for Marine use get the Dock Test where the engine is bolted it to a prop (or a dyno load) and stuck in the water and go full throttle for 55mins then idle for 5mins then repeat 300 times. Also the life the engine lives has a big factor. Other than the 2JZ every other engine on this list can't even rev past 5000RPM unless modified. So you can bet they lived an easy life under the hood of those vehicles.
The carbureted 300 Straight-6 is easily modified too. Extremely easy cam changes, Split headers for true dual exhaust, several intake manifold designs to run a few different carb setups, my favorite was a 500cfm 4bbl. I also had one which ran 3 single bbl. Could also get the exhaust setup for running a turbo charger. I've been able to squeeze 400hp out of them with no turbo and still get good gas mileage.
@@donaldkinder6716 I don't need luck. I've been building those engines since the early 90's. I used to drag race 1/8 mile with one in a 1987 F-150. Ran high 6 second laps with a manual 4 speed transmission and 4.56 diff.
I can't believe you didn't include the crystler slant 6 cylinder. I can't remember the cubic inches but it was made from 1961 into the 90s. They could go 300 thousand miles easily with oil changes and are probably the most well known bullet proof engine there is.
Toyota 2.4D 2L diesel engine from my 1995 Hilux (US model is called Pickup) currently has 486k miles and counting. Reason why it has survived so long with minimal maintenance is that it make absolutely fuckall power. Factory rating is 89hp and 167nm. But for real, most engines can run very impressive mileage when they're maintained properly. If you care of your car then your car will take care of you.
Many older port fuel injected and carb motors will last with maintenance but not all. Nearly all motors with GDI will gum up the intake ports and valves with PCV muck. GDI is to be avoided if going the distance.
I agree 100% with this list. An honorable mention would be the old Toyota 20R and 22R series engines. They had single overhead cams, and adjustable rockers, allowing the valves to be adjusted, without removing the camshaft or timing chain/belt. As long as these had water in the radiator and oil in the crank case, you just couldn't kill these. I never burned valves with these, because I could keep them adjusted without any specialized tools. I wish I could say the same for Volkswagen, Honda, or Mitsubishi engines. (I've burned valves in all of those, including Saab, because of no "user" way of adjusting the valves. I owned a van with the Ford 300 I-6, and that's an engine no atom bomb could ever kill. The engine wasn't what was wrong with the van, when I finally scrapped it. The engine only had 220,000 miles on it, so it was just breaking in. "just getting so it ran good". The engine and manual transmission were probably the only things in the van worth salvaging.
My dad passed away in 2014 and I still drive his 84 F-150. 300 ci straight 6 with a 4 speed manual transmission. It now has 412,000 miles and I change the oil every 3,000 miles.
I used to run Iveco Daily Trucks (4 cyl 2.8 litre Turbo) and one ran 1.1 million miles before needing a rebuild (only because it was smokey at idle - when dismantled it only needed rings, bearings and valve seals - no machining at all), one was sold at 830,000 miles still going well, and one was crashed at 500,000 so I think they did well, I think the fact that they never missed oil, filter or cambelt changes was a major factor, also that they only did long runs.
I had a unrealiable Ford Transit campervan, i went outback and asked a lot of ppl out there what they reply on, they all said Toyota Landcruiser 1HZ. That's what i bought in a Toyota Coaster. Incedible motor, such a strong work horse and bui;ld so well, bueatifull trawlin gup hils the gears are unreal.
Totally agree with this list. I've had 3 of the 5 motors on this list and I gotta tell u this guy knows his stuff bc they all 3 kept goin well after the rest of the drivetrains laid down.
U missed 1 the gm 3800 they have been known to go 500k or more and nearly indestructable iv seen many of them with 4 and 500k on them mine has 262k on it still runs strong
@@slvrktman7824 that's true keeping in mind no engine is perfect u can change that get them running again and they were just fine After that happened to my grandma's delta 88 800 bucks at the dealer to repair it They also had mas airflow issues same with the gen 1 3800 however both issues were cheap and easy to repair the worse of the 2 repairs was the intake I think it was 50 bucks for an intake new plugs oil change most of the time they were back up and going for under 300 bucks doing it yourself my grandma's did need a starter too acoding to the dealer I would have to say that is probley the worse issue they had with the 3.8 and what made it worse is they were un predictable they could of went out at 50,000 miles or 200,000 miles
Buick 3800....best motor ever to be put in a car. great fuel mileage even when installed in a large car and good low end torque to pull those large cars from a stop sign.
Have to agree with moonshineinsummer1. Had a 1990 Buick Park Avenue, went over 350000 miles before it was stolen and wrecked. Apart from routine maintenance, the only part that needed replaced was a water pump!
I say the Buick 3800 would easily be one of the best V configuration engines ever made. I wouldn't put it above any of the inline engines mentioned on this list nor the Chrysler slant 6 or Volvo B18.
My Dad only purchased Ford pickups, always with the 300ci inline 6. Never had any problems with any of them. Definitely a tough engine. Once I got drivers license I would borrow his F100 with three on the tree. It was a blast to drive as it could burn the tires off.....lol
I think Toyota's 2.4 inline engine would be a contender.I had one in a Toyota small pick up truck and it was the most reliable engine,never broke down,never let me down.The frame gave out but the engine was as good as the day it left the factory,high mileage and all.A super engine.
That last one I could completely agree with my dads used to own that exact car it's still around as well being abused by its previous owner 300k and one rebuild when my dad had it 16 years ago and its STILL not dead to this day.
The 225 2.5 Lt Chrysler slant six was used from the 1960's when Valiants were build and fitted with these engines in South Africa. It was for years the best seller and very popular. My father purchased one of them when I was still a young kid and eventually it became my first vehicle at 19 years old. Fantastic engine and car, it lasted many years without any engine problems! I know that more than 21 million units were build over decades, What a engine!
I drove a 62 Plymouth Belvedere with a 250ci slant six engine for 10 years with not one oil change and often running just water in the cooling system. It would freeze solid overnight in the winter. I would remove the single belt that ran the water pump and alternator, run the engine til the water pump thawed out, put the belt back on and drove to work. One summer this car drove 65 miles on the highway with no coolant. The engine was so hot that almost all the oil burned off during the trip. It did not break down and did not warp the head. In fact we filled the oil and water up and made the return trip in record time. This engine made it 4 more years after that event. When it was time to junk this car in 1979, I drove it to the junk yard where they pulled the engine out and sold it. The Chrysler slant six is the best engine ever made.
My buddies dad worked at Bush international airport here in Houston. All the taxi and food cars had inline engines in them and he was one of the mechanics that worked on them. As you can imagine…the workers didn’t take it easy on these vehicles…and they would drive them into the work bay with a busted radiator hose and the engine damn near glowing hot! He said most of the time all they had to do was to make the repair to the hose change the fluids and they ran like a champ.
The cummins 12 valve should have been number one I have seen them run for more then a million miles without even needing to be rebuilt. But I do think the mercades diesel should come in a very close second place they are great engines.
I had a 3126 B caterpillar I put 425,000 miles before I sold it to a farmer. Sweet engine had to be plugged up to start well in the winter, real workhorse
Peugeot/Citroen 1.9D non-turbo is also brilliant. Not powerful, but totally reliable - economical too. Regular oil changes are the thing - with any engine.
I owned a 80series land cruiser that did 1.3 million kilometres and the head was never taken off it’s still going strong. The in line 6 1 HZ diesel was unbreakable and there’s a hell of a lot that have done 800000kilometres still going around
i own on in a Toyota Coaster and its pushing near 5 tonnes. Incedible motor i expect to do 1.6 million plus hopefully. 333,333 so far bought at 300,000 runs like a dream i done 140kys down a good rd and hill out of Melbourne to Bendigo freeway!
Back in 96 I bought an 87 f150 with only 60000 miles had the 6 cylinder 4 speed 4x4. I was 19 at the time and All my friends gave me so much shit for getting a 6 cylinder instead of a v8. I wanted the 6 cylinder because I knew they were good motors. And here we are 20 some years later my friends trucks have been long gone but I still have that truck with 380000 miles. I took it off the road about 7 years ago because it was so rotted the frame broke. But it's still sitting behind the barn. That was the most reliable trouble free and cheapest vehicle to maintain I've ever owned. Still has the original fuel pump all the original sensors on the motor. If it wasn't for the michigan cancer I'd still be driving it today.
The best engine in my opinion is the gx series Honda found on generators pressure washers and log splitters can't go wrong with em they last forever and starts on the first or second pull
I and my family all had Honda R214 lawnmowers. They run great, but, they all burn oil. Lots of white smoke when starting, and even though it clears up after its run a while, the oil vapors get in my lungs, making it hard to breathe. I went back to Briggs & Stratton. All 3 mowers had their initial early oil changes, as per the break-in procedures recommended in their owners manuals, and, some were worse than others, but they all did it. The dealers said that the oil consumption was normal, but it was too much for me. Honda isn't worth the extra money to me, I simply can't stand to be that close to them while they're running. I'm almost afraid to buy a Honda generator, but I hear that the horizontal shaft engines with the upward facing cylinder are better. I'll have to borrow one and try it, before paying the premium price for the name. At least, I don't have to be close to the generator, while it's running. With a walk behind lawnmower, you have no choice, but to walk into the exhaust fumes of the engine that's right in front of you the whole time. If I could pair their permanent magnet alternator and inverter with a Briggs & Stratton engine, that would be a 'happenin' " generator!
What about the 2.3L 4 cyl Ford?? I have a 1997 Ford Ranger with 230 thousand miles on it...tune ups, oil changes, a radiator, timing belt and water pump...thats all I've done to it!! I get an emissions test every 2 years here in Colorado, and it's so clean it "fast passes" and the test ends early!! Emissions numbers are almost identical to when it was new, and I have NEVER put a drop of oil in it!! Ya, it can't climb a curb, but it can pass anything parked on the side of the road with its hood up 😏
Wow, I was excited to watch this video as I have been restoring cars for 50 year, from the age of 13 (with my father). I think you picked some good winners, but the title of the vid should include the word “current”. If you are talking about the most reliable engines of all time, you must include the Ford Model A engine, 201 CID (1927-1931). These engines have been known to run for a million miles, way beyond measurement. Second, you should include the Dodge slant-6 (170 CID, 198 CID and 225 CID). Many for these engines are put to work in the fields of Mexico and South America long after their host (car) has expired. Last, and not least, the Volkswagen Flat-4, produced from 1936-2006. Personally, I hate the VW car, having owned many, but the darn engine is simply bullet-proof. I have witness the VW engine running with no reserve oil for months (my sister’s doing!). This is meant as additional input, keep on posting!
david did you know there were two larger sizes of the slanted six ? there were not installed in cars , vans , or light trucks . to the best of my knowledge they were only installed in the medium duty trucks . i saw one , it was about a 1969 model D50 , on the aluminum i.d plate on the door jamb it said " engine displacement 270CID " i believe it was . and i read somewhere a long time ago , i think it was like in a dodge medium duty owners manual it had two sizes of the slanted six that were larger than 225" displacement . if you were to contact someone at chrysler , they may be able to verify it for you because i'm sure they have some records and info on every engine type they built
I had a 1971 Plymouth Scamp with a 225 C.I. six cylinder engine. I had acquired over 254,000 miles on it, and the "torque flite" automatic transmission, until I was rear ended on I-95 and the car was totaled.
What about the volvo B18 B20 or B30 engines, all cast iron cam in block with gears for cam timing known to have the highest milage on a car engine the world, over 1million plus miles in a p1800. Your list should be a top 10 to cover the ones you missed
The reason why the OM617 lasts so long is because of the oil bath filter. It NEVER gets dry started! Gravity will be supplying oil from the get-go till oil pressure rises. Truly ingenious solution to avoid dry starts!
Ford used an engine in their first Pintos that was previously used in their English Fords. It was a cast iron block 4 cylinder that was bullet proof. It was a tiny engine for a tiny car but would run forever. When the Pinto suffered it’s demise thanks to Nader and the Pintos were “upsized” with a bigger engine, these engines were phased out. Those who hung on to their early Pintos drove them until the bodies fell apart, over 200,000 miles.
I hit this button to laugh at the picks and was surprised how good your picks were. I have owned everyone of them, had a 300 6 with 700,000 on it. Owned a 5.9 12 valve and drive the 24 valve now, they just keep going. My Grand Cherokee my wife drove itI had 400,000 when a tree fell on it still running great. Own a old Mercedes diesel as a beater and to be honest not sure what’s on it, around 400 I think, and one great engine in many ways. Switched to Toyota a few years back, bought a 4Runner after seeing many with very high mileage. You hit all my favorites right on the money and I really can’t argue with the order either. From my vehicles I loved the older VW diesels turbo, seen them hit 700,000 I had one over 450,000 that was running great when it left. The glow plugs needed to be changed at 400 thousand but not a big deal unlike the Mercedes diesel was. Great job on picks, when you started with the Ford 300 I knew it was worth watching.
Excellent durability, but most ended up overheating because the GM Harrison radiators would clog easily with scale buildup and Chevys only had an overheating warning light instead of a coolant temp gauge. Also, 283's needed timely oil changes to prevent hydraulic lifter trouble.
As a retired mechanic you are partially right.... the Chrysler engine never held up.. it would leak and burned oil before 100000 miles... the best Chrysler engine was the 318 and 360 and don't forget the 225 slant 6... it would last longer than any engine on the road
I feel you missed one. The Chrysler cast iron 225 ci slant six. I owned two in a row. both used. each one went over 300,000. With NO MAJOR work ever done to them. Just TLC.
Had 3 or the 5, all were rock solid without malfunction in the actual engine for years. At that, I do not remember any particular issues with the bolt-on accessories.
Out here in India, a lot of large trucks and buses are powered cummins 6bt and isbe5.9's. Many gen.sets and compressors also use the n855 big cams, and a few military trucks also esp. the big cam 400
I can't believe that at least one Gardner was not included ,they were used extensively in Britain and in my opinion were and still are the most reliable and economical diesel motor ever made especially those made for marine use
This video is very American biased, basically if it wasn't sold in America it doesn't exist. Toyota make a 4.2 straight six diesel called the 1HZ, it has been used all over the world in trucks, buses and 4x4's. It is still being used after over forty years of use. It is a million mile engine and bullet proof but it was never used in America so doesn't exist.
Gardners are in most of the travelling fairs trucks cos they can handle a million miles easy and peak torque is just over tickover probably the best engines ever made
I would agree. For simplicity look at normally aspirated Diesel engines. Gardner engines were used in trucks, buses barges and fishing boats and provided they had a clean fuel supply and air they would just keep running.
Gardners - the ultimate in reliability and sound wonderfully sweet when running. Years ago, we took the kids to a travelling fair at Kendal and I could here a diesel engine running that sounded so sweet. When I followed the sound, it was a 6 cylinder Gardner running a generator in the back of a wagon. Two engines I have found unbelievably reliable are the Ford 2.3 pushrod diesel I had in a Sierra estate. I did 240.000 miles and never touched the engine apart from changing the injectors twice and an oil change every 5.000 miles. The other is the Peugeot/Citroen 1.9D non-turbo. Brilliant engines. Not powerful (set off 5 minutes earlier!!) but very economical and totally reliable. I still have a late 306 estate with one of these engines in. The more miles they do, the better they seem to run. Clean oil is so important. As I say to my mates - oil is cheap, engines are dear.
One of the biggest factors is pure luck along with maintaining the whole package ,I've had several high mileage engines the most documented engine was a 350 Chevy of around the 80 's it was rebuilt by me and went into a service truck and ran 537,000 when I removed it did gaskets ,seals timing set and put it back in its run another 250,000 since. Oil is how they live long that engine has always been on Mobil one.
The 3FSE motor in My 1998 Rav4 should be on that list. It has never let Me down in 23 Years!! -23c outside "No Problem" it fires up right away. I did change the Timing belt and Water pump as My owners Manual said to do at 125,000 kms but that's it. Oil & Filter changes at 5,000 kms.
Forgotten the 180 OM 636 / Mercedes. Designed as start engine in the 30 e years under the naziregime. A start motor (the 170) running on benzine to activate the engine in the “famous” Tiger tank. After the war thousand of these blocks where changed in to a diesel (the 180 D) used in ships, Unomag terrain cars, and still running after almost 100 years in pressure boats. The where strong enough to run the old taxis in 50tees, sometimes 1 million km. before overhauling crankshaft and pistons.
Diesel engines are the best for longevity especially non turbo diesels. The 6.9l Navistar Ford put in their F250 and F350's in the 1980's is a truly unstoppable engine. I had one that had over 786,000+ miles on it and started every time. It definitely needed the block heater but I drove it 300+ miles one way regularly without ever worrying about it breaking down and it only did once on the way back from such a trip and it was the starter that failed! It easily pulled down 25mpg under 65mph and around 10 towing a heavy load. It's one of my greatest mistakes ever to have sold it back to the man I bought it from for more $ no less!
i fully agree with the top two. especially the OM617. if you’ve never daily driven a merc turbo diesel..: i ran that thing on olive oil. tiki torch fuel. automatic transmission fluid. essentially anything except gasoline. they are fully unstoppable, theW123/ 300D may be the best engineered vehicle in history. it’s just stout.
More can be squeezed into the list. The Volvo B18 4-cyl engine. You can google, they can go 1 million miles, still going and cant be killed. That is by far the simplest, easiest engine to deal with of all time. They also saw widespread use as marine engines and can take abuse. Next is the 4-cyl turbo diesel that went into the Peugeot 505. Cannot kill them. The engine in the Citroen DS is another one that goes forever. These are worth mentioning because the life of a 4-cyl engine is supposed to be about 125,000 but over time engines have come along to shatter that thinking. Toyota engines of the 80s were also superior, so was the Datsun 240Z 6-cyl engine. What all of these have in common is simple, rugged design, fewer parts, less complex systems, easy to work on. But that is the engine, it doesnt speak to the cars they went into. Often the cars were crap, rust, peripheral component failures like electrical issues, transmission issues, shakes, rattles and the rest of it. My current car is utter crap garbage but the Mitsubishi engine in it refuses to die and has over 300K on it and running strong with no repairs needed.
When I was a kid we had a 1961 Pontiac Parisienne with a 261 straight six. That was a truck and school bus engine that GM, for some reason, put in full size Canadian Pontiacs. My father always said it was the best engine he ever owned . . .
The Chrysler slant 6...was a great engine. They had lots power, ran forever. They were even standard in larger Dodge trucks, n used as industrial engines in forklifts, generators etc
The list isn't credible without the Slant 6. I have a 1975 Lull 400 High Lift Loader rough terrain forklift with the Chrysler Industrial 225, still use it to this day, has a million hours on it and it simply won't die. These Lulls came with 318 V8's as well.
There's definitely a consistent theme here.....the simpler the better. In Australia this rings true as well. Toyota's 1HDT and Nissan's TD42 have proven themselves time & time again. I can personally attest to the TD42's reliability......it's a very agricultural engine and doesn't have a huge amount of power, but my Patrol is fast approaching 600,000km and still has the original engine and has never been rebuilt
My dad used to have one from the late seventies. No turbo, made only 77hp lmao. Sadly whoever had it before him ran it with ether and eventually it just died
@@MrRjnr Shell Rotella 15W-40. Suggested oil change is at 5,000 miles, I change it at 3,000 miles. My mechanic said that's probably the reason I haven't had to do the normal ring job at around 250,000 miles. Cheap insurance.
@@Tchristman100 great! I recently bought a 1980 300SD & will be using Rotella, or Castrol GTX, every 2500 miles (I'll probably only drive it 5 or 6 thousand miles annually)
The Volvo 4 & 5 cylinder normally aspirated engines will go high 200,000to over a million miles if maintained properly- I've owned several that I've sold w/ over 240000& and seen around town after that! Got a loaner w/ 3800000+ on it,ran great,body shop owner showed me pix of 500000+ Vs he knew!
Sorry gotta go with the GM 5.3l from 1999 to 2003.....mine is still a daily driver and it's got over 260k on the original motor and transmission, and counting. No smoke and starts first try even on the coldest mornings. Biggest thing.....preventive maintenance will extend the life of all engines
If you put an Allison 1000 series 6 speed automatic it will last and it’s more fuel efficient as well. Those older transmissions that were put behind older Fords and Dodge Rams with diesel engines couldn’t take the torque like the Allison did in Duramax trucks.
There was no logical reason to stop making the AMC 4.0. Its amazing how company's discontinue there best designed products just to create a new design.
300 inline 6 from ford, awesome engine, as an ex truck driver, the Cummins diesels were awesome, many of the older vehicles i drove would last a long time but oil changes and tune-ups were important for them to last . many people do not think about the small stuff and engines dont last, and from what i have seen on you tube, many engines are trash because of their design and all the electronics on them, give me the older cars from the 60s to maybe 2000 and i will be happy, it seems the only good engines now are Japanese and a few american ones but you have be selective and do the research,
In Australia toyota are considered the top dogs when it comes to reliability. One of the most legendary engines would be the 2h, a 4L i6 diesel that literally didn't need a battery to run.
you put a lot of thought into this video i have to agree I have a 1996 dodge turbo diesel great power never fails to deliver also 4 old diesel Mercedes one 240d i purchased for the manual transmission and 2 300d a 300sd great cars best highway cruisers you can get
This may be controversial, but the BMW M20, M50, M52, M54 deserves a spot on the list. Despite the cooling system issues, they are essentially un-killable in stock form. It's not uncommon to see one of these engines with over 300k miles, many lasting over 450k. One person has even achieved 700k miles without an engine rebuild. 1.9TDI also deserves a spot as well as the M57 and OM606 and also the GM LS. The B58 is potentially a future classic in terms of durability as well.
Other Videos to watch! Check them out here:
Top 14 Cars That Last 300K Miles or More: ruclips.net/video/tIfrP1_P5Iw/видео.html
Ford:
2004-2008 F-150 Buyer's Guide: ruclips.net/video/4oVe8bLolJQ/видео.html
2009-2014 F-150 Buyer's Guide: ruclips.net/video/3IpC-mHY0xM/видео.html
1998-2011 Ranger Buyer's Guide: ruclips.net/video/fELUyrKY1U4/видео.html
Toyota:
1995-2004 1st Gen Tacoma Buyer's Guide: ruclips.net/video/WtyhiOD8Jm4/видео.html
2005-2015 2nd Gen Tacoma Buyer's Guide: ruclips.net/video/9ZOhD0KU_gA/видео.html
Mercedes:
W211 Buyer's Guide: ruclips.net/video/QpplQTp2DSQ/видео.html
W212 Buyer's Guide: ruclips.net/video/IYZSnLzdNp8/видео.html
W204 Buyer's Guide: www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtCbbrsQQ
Porsche:
2010-2016 Panamera Buyer's Guide: ruclips.net/video/3giueysuXdU/видео.html
1999-2005 911 996 Buyer's guide: ruclips.net/video/rvdMzS8XdXk/видео.html
The 225 slant 6 by Mopar was something that never died on me . A manual choke when it was minus 40 degrees is all I needed .
I drove a 1985 Mercedes 300D Turbodiesel for 29 years, and 391K miles. It was still cranking easily and running strong the day I sold it. The engine was the one part of that car which never, ever had a problem.
My 1987 300D had more than 350K, and my odometer broke there. Drove it many more years. I also had one of the mentioned OM617's in my 1983 300 SD.
Simply indestructible
My 216 “ stove bolt “ Thrift Master inline 6 is still motoring along on its dip and splash connecting rod oil system. Now in its 71’st year of powering it’s 1/2 ton pickup chassis.
One barrel downdraft Rochester carburetor with oil bath cleaner. Starts at -40 or +110.
She’s earned a reliable reputation as well.
That’s really incredible. ☮️
Those inlines are tough to beat! I drove my Dad's 1964 Ford Falcon in high school that we had restored and it had a 200 ci inline six with a 2 speed manual shift auto transmission. The car didn't have a lot of speed but, it did have plenty of torque to pull more than the rear suspension would take. My Dad still has it and one day will probably restore it again.
You forgot the Chrysler slant 6 engine, damn near un-killable
I had two of the slant 6’s they out lasted the cars they were in.
Invincible engine. I've seen these run with no oil and keep going. Insane.
@@brandonboulton2776 hack ya I got all drunk one time and went in a ditch … tore a hole in the oil pan didn’t know it at the time anyway I kept going till I got home ( 30 miles ) ol 6 banger Wes a little hot but fixed oil pan added oil and no damage.
@@couchrider6228 exactly 💯
The old 225 CI slant six was a superb engine, even though it wasn't all that powerful. It was fuel efficient.
The Ford 4.6L V8 is a no brainer. It was used in the Crown Vic, Grand Marquis and thousands of Explorers.
These motors were used in police cars, taxies and other commercial equipment. They regularly ran up milage in the 300 to 400 thousand miles with only regular maintenance.
I own a 02 Explorer with 200k miles and not any major engine work performed. I expect it can easily go another 200k. The 4.6L is truly bullet proof.
Can’t believe I had to scroll this far to find mention of the glorious 4.6L V8. I have 246,000 on my 04 Grand Marquis. I love this car and engine.
Totally agree with your no 1 choice, awesome durable motor and extremely fuel efficient. Had it in my 300D.
The Dodge 5.9L Magnum V8 is a very solid and reliable gas engine. I have a 1996 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 that’s still running like a top at over 375,000 miles!
As a kid my neighbor who owned a Lumber business bought two of those Mercedes cars with that 5 cyl diesel . Both of those cars outlasted him , his wife , and both of their two children! Amazing!
Thanks for an informative, short and to the point video. GREAT STUFF !!
The Chrysler slant six 225 and 5.9 gas burners are also great engines produced!
Exactly!
I would add the Ford 289/302, I agree totally with the Ford 300I6 I have 2 1960's block 300's. I have to add the 6.9l IDI International Navistar non turbo diesel engine. They just run forever, mine had 786,000+ miles on it when I sold it back to the guy I bought it from for more than I paid. The Yamaha SHO V6 is also an impressive engine and can last indefinitely as long as the cam shims are done every 60k miles.
I guess some 300s held up pretty good but it didn't have any power I didn't put many miles on the two I had I just got rid of them
@@nicholasst.dennis2446 they're definitely not horsepower monsters and they get wheezy past 3,500 rpm generally, they do have significant low end torque to get heavy loads moving, not quickly but they can with the correct: intake, carburetor and exhaust, camshaft, cylinder head porting, increases compression, better ignition, they can really wake up. Boosting a 300 is becoming commonplace and they're great runners. The original 1960's engines to 1972 had the best power potential and highest compression from the factory, ditching that 1 barrel carburetor log intake manifold and going with a 2V or 4V give them immediate huge power gains.
They all have something in common , inline configuration , and simplicity , i’ve known a couple of inline six AMC’ Cherokees going well north of 700000 miles .
My dad just gifted me a 1998 Jeep Cherokee Sport with 115k miles. The only problems are the a/c and a rusted/broken shock absorber mount on the front passenger side. It runs but I can’t seem to find anyone interested in repairing.
One thing they all have in common. All were cast iron blocks with cast iron heads. Today's engines are built with aluminum, sleeves & plastics. As soon as they overtemp things start twisting out of shape. One thing I don't miss is changing points and condensor (always carried a spare set with a nail file). Also spare wires with spray for when its cold & wet out. Ahhh the good ole days.
I would venture to say that the slant 6 should be on this list. and the list should really be inline 6's that are indestructible. LS V8's LM7 Duramaxes, 7.3 power strokes and the Nissan Skyline motors would also qualify and since we are going there, if the 3.8 V6 has the upgraded intake gaskets that do not leak coolant into the crank then the GM 3.8 V^ seems like a very good thought as well
Volvo B18, and B20 inline 4-cylinders made form the mid sixties to the mid seventies. Frequently went 500,000 miles or more with just routine maintenance. The 1969 144, with the B20, which my parents bought new, had 385,000-miles when it got totaled by a drunk driver, while parked at the curb, in 1984. No loss of compression on any cylinder. Two starters, and alternator, and a water pump had been replaced. Five or six clutches though, mom never quite figured out how to feather a clutch, and not slip it.
A good choice for the list. 👍
All inline 6 engines coincidentally.
And for some reason they are not made anymore? New cars are shiny junk.
There are plenty of inline 6 engines being made. You’re just ignorant.
@@alexmason5521 Thanks.
Most car companies went with the V6 because of the size for front wheel drive. They can mount it either direction and only need to produce one engine. Saves them money.
The Buick 3800 is deadly reliable and not an I6. Piston configuration really has nothing to do with reliability. It mostly has to do with the duty cycle it's designed for. If it is intended to be used in trucks and as a stationary power plant you can bet it was designed to last and run at full output for days. Even if that output is not much. Engines like the Big Block Chevy that are qualified for Marine use get the Dock Test where the engine is bolted it to a prop (or a dyno load) and stuck in the water and go full throttle for 55mins then idle for 5mins then repeat 300 times.
Also the life the engine lives has a big factor. Other than the 2JZ every other engine on this list can't even rev past 5000RPM unless modified. So you can bet they lived an easy life under the hood of those vehicles.
@@geoffmooregm Agreed. I love the Buick v6 variety of the 225, and 231. I wish GM would have used the 3800 in the S10 trucks.
The carbureted 300 Straight-6
is easily modified too. Extremely easy cam changes, Split headers for true dual exhaust, several intake manifold designs to run a few different carb setups, my favorite was a 500cfm 4bbl.
I also had one which ran 3 single bbl. Could also get the exhaust setup for running a turbo charger.
I've been able to squeeze 400hp out of them with no turbo and still get good gas mileage.
LMAO YEAH RIGHT 400 HP VERY FUNNY STOCK 300 6 HAD AROUND 150 HP
@@donaldkinder6716 Where do you see stock in my paragraph?
@@HarbingerOfDeathMetal10-67 lol good luck on getting 400 hp out of a 300 6cy and 300 6 is a gas hog man stock
@@donaldkinder6716 I don't need luck. I've been building those engines since the early 90's.
I used to drag race 1/8 mile with one in a 1987 F-150. Ran high 6 second laps with a manual 4 speed transmission and 4.56 diff.
@@HarbingerOfDeathMetal10-67 lmao
I don’t often agree with “top five” lists but you nailed it on this one. I’d like to see your top 10 list.
I can't believe you didn't include the crystler slant 6 cylinder. I can't remember the cubic inches but it was made from 1961 into the 90s. They could go 300 thousand miles easily with oil changes and are probably the most well known bullet proof engine there is.
it was 225 cu in
reliable and efficient.
The Chrysler Slant 6 should be #1...and I'm a Chevy guy.
Agree
Nah....he got it right.
had one go 600k miles and its still in a wood splitter running today 15 years later ! Honda built a lot of stuff that runs forever as well
Toyota 2.4D 2L diesel engine from my 1995 Hilux (US model is called Pickup) currently has 486k miles and counting. Reason why it has survived so long with minimal maintenance is that it make absolutely fuckall power. Factory rating is 89hp and 167nm.
But for real, most engines can run very impressive mileage when they're maintained properly. If you care of your car then your car will take care of you.
Many older port fuel injected and carb motors will last with maintenance but not all. Nearly all motors with GDI will gum up the intake ports and valves with PCV muck. GDI is to be avoided if going the distance.
I agree 100% with this list. An honorable mention would be the old Toyota 20R and 22R series engines. They had single overhead cams, and adjustable rockers, allowing the valves to be adjusted, without removing the camshaft or timing chain/belt. As long as these had water in the radiator and oil in the crank case, you just couldn't kill these. I never burned valves with these, because I could keep them adjusted without any specialized tools. I wish I could say the same for Volkswagen, Honda, or Mitsubishi engines. (I've burned valves in all of those, including Saab, because of no "user" way of adjusting the valves. I owned a van with the Ford 300 I-6, and that's an engine no atom bomb could ever kill. The engine wasn't what was wrong with the van, when I finally scrapped it. The engine only had 220,000 miles on it, so it was just breaking in. "just getting so it ran good". The engine and manual transmission were probably the only things in the van worth salvaging.
The 20R was very tough, but could not stand up to my brother. Of course, he broke everything he ever owned.
Hondas you can adjust the valves.
My dad passed away in 2014 and I still drive his 84 F-150. 300 ci straight 6 with a 4 speed manual transmission. It now has 412,000 miles and I change the oil every 3,000 miles.
I used to run Iveco Daily Trucks (4 cyl 2.8 litre Turbo) and one ran 1.1 million miles before needing a rebuild (only because it was smokey at idle - when dismantled it only needed rings, bearings and valve seals - no machining at all), one was sold at 830,000 miles still going well, and one was crashed at 500,000 so I think they did well, I think the fact that they never missed oil, filter or cambelt changes was a major factor, also that they only did long runs.
Wow! What years would you say they were?
@@snh444 I bought them all in Dec 04.
I’d add the Toyota 1HD-FTE. Have seen them with over 1 million KM without a rebuild. They keep australia going in the outback!
Any of the small Toyota high speed diesel engines. Everything from their early days through to the present.
@Doctor MENGELE yes they last a very long long long time!
I had a unrealiable Ford Transit campervan, i went outback and asked a lot of ppl out there what they reply on, they all said Toyota Landcruiser 1HZ. That's what i bought in a Toyota Coaster. Incedible motor, such a strong work horse and bui;ld so well, bueatifull trawlin gup hils the gears are unreal.
Totally agree with this list. I've had 3 of the 5 motors on this list and I gotta tell u this guy knows his stuff bc they all 3 kept goin well after the rest of the drivetrains laid down.
U missed 1 the gm 3800 they have been known to go 500k or more and nearly indestructable iv seen many of them with 4 and 500k on them mine has 262k on it still runs strong
Yes they definitely stopped making that one for this reason...now if there was a way to put an allison transmission behind it...i mean beside it...
It's diesel or Petrol gasoline
@@kundanpatil3133 petrol. I own 3
Except for the 3800 General Motors experimental plastic intake plenum POS that they sold to customers for testing W/O factory warranty coverage!!!!!
@@slvrktman7824 that's true keeping in mind no engine is perfect u can change that get them running again and they were just fine After that happened to my grandma's delta 88 800 bucks at the dealer to repair it They also had mas airflow issues same with the gen 1 3800 however both issues were cheap and easy to repair the worse of the 2 repairs was the intake I think it was 50 bucks for an intake new plugs oil change most of the time they were back up and going for under 300 bucks doing it yourself my grandma's did need a starter too acoding to the dealer I would have to say that is probley the worse issue they had with the 3.8 and what made it worse is they were un predictable they could of went out at 50,000 miles or 200,000 miles
Buick 3800....best motor ever to be put in a car. great fuel mileage even when installed in a large car and good low end torque to pull those large cars from a stop sign.
Have to agree with moonshineinsummer1. Had a 1990 Buick Park Avenue, went over 350000 miles before it was stolen and wrecked. Apart from routine maintenance, the only part that needed replaced was a water pump!
Thats another great one!
Yep. Great engine.
@@54mgtf22 Do you really have a TF? It is such a great looking car.
I say the Buick 3800 would easily be one of the best V configuration engines ever made. I wouldn't put it above any of the inline engines mentioned on this list nor the Chrysler slant 6 or Volvo B18.
My Dad only purchased Ford pickups, always with the 300ci inline 6. Never had any problems with any of them. Definitely a tough engine. Once I got drivers license I would borrow his F100 with three on the tree. It was a blast to drive as it could burn the tires off.....lol
this thing never die
I've had a couple of those 4.0 6 cylinder AMC engines, they are bulletproof.
I think Toyota's 2.4 inline engine would be a contender.I had one in a Toyota small pick up truck and it was the most reliable engine,never broke down,never let me down.The frame gave out but the engine was as good as the day it left the factory,high mileage and all.A super engine.
It's kind of hard to brag about a vehicle that breaks in two
@@nicholasst.dennis2446 LOL,..true what you said,but in all fairness the frame went through 15 winters with salted roads.
22r and 20r engines are beasts
That last one I could completely agree with my dads used to own that exact car it's still around as well being abused by its previous owner 300k and one rebuild when my dad had it 16 years ago and its STILL not dead to this day.
there are confirmed merc diesel taxis who have gone over 3.4 million km(2.1m miles) and still going
@@pettersaethre w123 240d 4 600 000 kilimeters and stil working and donated in shturgat museum
The 225 2.5 Lt Chrysler slant six was used from the 1960's when Valiants were build and fitted with these engines in South Africa. It was for years the best seller and very popular. My father purchased one of them when I was still a young kid and eventually it became my first vehicle at 19 years old. Fantastic engine and car, it lasted many years without any engine problems! I know that more than 21 million units were build over decades, What a engine!
The SA Valiants had the 3.7 litre or 225 cuin.
I drove a 62 Plymouth Belvedere with a 250ci slant six engine for 10 years with not one oil change and often running just water in the cooling system. It would freeze solid overnight in the winter. I would remove the single belt that ran the water pump and alternator, run the engine til the water pump thawed out, put the belt back on and drove to work. One summer this car drove 65 miles on the highway with no coolant. The engine was so hot that almost all the oil burned off during the trip. It did not break down and did not warp the head. In fact we filled the oil and water up and made the return trip in record time. This engine made it 4 more years after that event. When it was time to junk this car in 1979, I drove it to the junk yard where they pulled the engine out and sold it. The Chrysler slant six is the best engine ever made.
The Volvo B18/20 deserves a mention - mine has around 460,000 miles on it.
And the successor's B21/B23 are as good engines. Built to last and super simple.
Well then that's it! That's the winner! Congrats!
That isuzu 4 banger diesel always impressed. 400k miles on those little trucks.
My 1981 Isuzu Pup diesel is headed for 400,000 miles, still runs like the day
I got it..has the original starter! Too bad it's rusting!
My buddies dad worked at Bush international airport here in Houston. All the taxi and food cars had inline engines in them and he was one of the mechanics that worked on them.
As you can imagine…the workers didn’t take it easy on these vehicles…and they would drive them into the work bay with a busted radiator hose and the engine damn near glowing hot!
He said most of the time all they had to do was to make the repair to the hose change the fluids and they ran like a champ.
The cummins 12 valve should have been number one I have seen them run for more then a million miles without even needing to be rebuilt. But I do think the mercades diesel should come in a very close second place they are great engines.
I had a 3126 B caterpillar I put 425,000 miles before I sold it to a farmer. Sweet engine had to be plugged up to start well in the winter, real workhorse
VW 1.9 SDI, 560000 km and works still like new.
that is 348,000 miles for our SI challenged friends
Peugeot/Citroen 1.9D non-turbo is also brilliant. Not powerful, but totally reliable - economical too. Regular oil changes are the thing - with any engine.
I owned a 80series land cruiser that did 1.3 million kilometres and the head was never taken off it’s still going strong. The in line 6 1 HZ diesel was unbreakable and there’s a hell of a lot that have done 800000kilometres still going around
i own on in a Toyota Coaster and its pushing near 5 tonnes. Incedible motor i expect to do 1.6 million plus hopefully. 333,333 so far bought at 300,000 runs like a dream i done 140kys down a good rd and hill out of Melbourne to Bendigo freeway!
I heard of people running running the 22R and 1HZ with no oil and not damaging them.
Back in 96 I bought an 87 f150 with only 60000 miles had the 6 cylinder 4 speed 4x4. I was 19 at the time and All my friends gave me so much shit for getting a 6 cylinder instead of a v8. I wanted the 6 cylinder because I knew they were good motors. And here we are 20 some years later my friends trucks have been long gone but I still have that truck with 380000 miles. I took it off the road about 7 years ago because it was so rotted the frame broke. But it's still sitting behind the barn. That was the most reliable trouble free and cheapest vehicle to maintain I've ever owned. Still has the original fuel pump all the original sensors on the motor. If it wasn't for the michigan cancer I'd still be driving it today.
Like you you-tube video about 5 best engines . It was short sweet & to the point 😊👍
One of my 12V Cummins crossed 1.2 million miles and still going strong and I have OM617s with 600k on them.
Definitely the SLANT 6 was the best! I had a 225 CI in a 1973 Dodge Dart.
The best engine in my opinion is the gx series Honda found on generators pressure washers and log splitters can't go wrong with em they last forever and starts on the first or second pull
I and my family all had Honda R214 lawnmowers. They run great, but, they all burn oil. Lots of white smoke when starting, and even though it clears up after its run a while, the oil vapors get in my lungs, making it hard to breathe. I went back to Briggs & Stratton. All 3 mowers had their initial early oil changes, as per the break-in procedures recommended in their owners manuals, and, some were worse than others, but they all did it. The dealers said that the oil consumption was normal, but it was too much for me. Honda isn't worth the extra money to me, I simply can't stand to be that close to them while they're running.
I'm almost afraid to buy a Honda generator, but I hear that the horizontal shaft engines with the upward facing cylinder are better. I'll have to borrow one and try it, before paying the premium price for the name. At least, I don't have to be close to the generator, while it's running. With a walk behind lawnmower, you have no choice, but to walk into the exhaust fumes of the engine that's right in front of you the whole time. If I could pair their permanent magnet alternator and inverter with a Briggs & Stratton engine, that would be a 'happenin' " generator!
V10 8.0...all the way...best motor I have ever owned period. It never ever ever has issues
Me too. 200% agree.
Impressive,woo!
What about the 2.3L 4 cyl Ford?? I have a 1997 Ford Ranger with 230 thousand miles on it...tune ups, oil changes, a radiator, timing belt and water pump...thats all I've done to it!! I get an emissions test every 2 years here in Colorado, and it's so clean it "fast passes" and the test ends early!! Emissions numbers are almost identical to when it was new, and I have NEVER put a drop of oil in it!! Ya, it can't climb a curb, but it can pass anything parked on the side of the road with its hood up 😏
Those 2.3 are popular for Mini-stock racing. A 2-barrel Holly, timing locked at 20 degrees, run like crazy at 8,000. Real solid old iron.
Wow, I was excited to watch this video as I have been restoring cars for 50 year, from the age of 13 (with my father). I think you picked some good winners, but the title of the vid should include the word “current”. If you are talking about the most reliable engines of all time, you must include the Ford Model A engine, 201 CID (1927-1931). These engines have been known to run for a million miles, way beyond measurement. Second, you should include the Dodge slant-6 (170 CID, 198 CID and 225 CID). Many for these engines are put to work in the fields of Mexico and South America long after their host (car) has expired. Last, and not least, the Volkswagen Flat-4, produced from 1936-2006. Personally, I hate the VW car, having owned many, but the darn engine is simply bullet-proof. I have witness the VW engine running with no reserve oil for months (my sister’s doing!). This is meant as additional input, keep on posting!
david did you know there were two larger sizes of the slanted six ? there were not installed in cars , vans , or light trucks . to the best of my knowledge they were only installed in the medium duty trucks . i saw one , it was about a 1969 model D50 , on the aluminum i.d plate on the door jamb it said " engine displacement 270CID " i believe it was . and i read somewhere a long time ago , i think it was like in a dodge medium duty owners manual it had two sizes of the slanted six that were larger than 225" displacement . if you were to contact someone at chrysler , they may be able to verify it for you because i'm sure they have some records and info on every engine type they built
Ford 4.9 Straight Six . 450 thousand miles .
I had a 1971 Plymouth Scamp with a 225 C.I. six cylinder engine. I had acquired over 254,000 miles on it, and the "torque flite" automatic transmission, until I was rear ended on I-95 and the car was totaled.
What about the volvo B18 B20 or B30 engines, all cast iron cam in block with gears for cam timing known to have the highest milage on a car engine the world, over 1million plus miles in a p1800. Your list should be a top 10 to cover the ones you missed
The reason why the OM617 lasts so long is because of the oil bath filter. It NEVER gets dry started! Gravity will be supplying oil from the get-go till oil pressure rises.
Truly ingenious solution to avoid dry starts!
Ford used an engine in their first Pintos that was previously used in their English Fords. It was a cast iron block 4 cylinder that was bullet proof. It was a tiny engine for a tiny car but would run forever. When the Pinto suffered it’s demise thanks to Nader and the Pintos were “upsized” with a bigger engine, these engines were phased out. Those who hung on to their early Pintos drove them until the bodies fell apart, over 200,000 miles.
I hit this button to laugh at the picks and was surprised how good your picks were. I have owned everyone of them, had a 300 6 with 700,000 on it. Owned a 5.9 12 valve and drive the 24 valve now, they just keep going. My Grand Cherokee my wife drove itI had 400,000 when a tree fell on it still running great. Own a old Mercedes diesel as a beater and to be honest not sure what’s on it, around 400 I think, and one great engine in many ways. Switched to Toyota a few years back, bought a 4Runner after seeing many with very high mileage. You hit all my favorites right on the money and I really can’t argue with the order either. From my vehicles I loved the older VW diesels turbo, seen them hit 700,000 I had one over 450,000 that was running great when it left. The glow plugs needed to be changed at 400 thousand but not a big deal unlike the Mercedes diesel was.
Great job on picks, when you started with the Ford 300 I knew it was worth watching.
Any opinions on the Chevrolet 283 V8, So many Chevys had them under the hood. A very reliable motor.
Excellent durability, but most ended up overheating because the GM Harrison radiators would clog easily with scale buildup and Chevys only had an overheating warning light instead of a coolant temp gauge. Also, 283's needed timely oil changes to prevent hydraulic lifter trouble.
As a retired mechanic you are partially right.... the Chrysler engine never held up.. it would leak and burned oil before 100000 miles... the best Chrysler engine was the 318 and 360 and don't forget the 225 slant 6... it would last longer than any engine on the road
360's are trash
I feel you missed one. The Chrysler cast iron 225 ci slant six. I owned two in a row. both used. each one went over 300,000. With NO MAJOR work ever done to them. Just TLC.
I own a 2003 jeep cherokee 4.0 with 314000 miles on it and still running strong
No big blocks? I had a '92 k3500, with a 454 that ran for over 700,000 miles without a rebuild. I totally agree with the Ford and AMC inline 6's.
Lol
Cummins is the best ever made in my opinion
Had 3 or the 5, all were rock solid without malfunction in the actual engine for years. At that, I do not remember any particular issues with the bolt-on accessories.
Out here in India, a lot of large trucks and buses are powered cummins 6bt and isbe5.9's. Many gen.sets and compressors also use the n855 big cams, and a few military trucks also esp. the big cam 400
I can't believe that at least one Gardner was not included ,they were used extensively in Britain and in my opinion were and still are the most reliable and economical diesel motor ever made especially those made for marine use
This video is very American biased, basically if it wasn't sold in America it doesn't exist.
Toyota make a 4.2 straight six diesel called the 1HZ, it has been used all over the world in trucks, buses and 4x4's. It is still being used after over forty years of use. It is a million mile engine and bullet proof but it was never used in America so doesn't exist.
Gardners are in most of the travelling fairs trucks cos they can handle a million miles easy and peak torque is just over tickover probably the best engines ever made
I would agree. For simplicity look at normally aspirated Diesel engines. Gardner engines were used in trucks, buses barges and fishing boats and provided they had a clean fuel supply and air they would just keep running.
Gardner 150,180,and the mighty 240 the best British commercial lorry engine.thats lorry ,not truck 😂
Gardners - the ultimate in reliability and sound wonderfully sweet when running. Years ago, we took the kids to a travelling fair at Kendal and I could here a diesel engine running that sounded so sweet. When I followed the sound, it was a 6 cylinder Gardner running a generator in the back of a wagon. Two engines I have found unbelievably reliable are the Ford 2.3 pushrod diesel I had in a Sierra estate. I did 240.000 miles and never touched the engine apart from changing the injectors twice and an oil change every 5.000 miles. The other is the Peugeot/Citroen 1.9D non-turbo. Brilliant engines. Not powerful (set off 5 minutes earlier!!) but very economical and totally reliable. I still have a late 306 estate with one of these engines in. The more miles they do, the better they seem to run. Clean oil is so important. As I say to my mates - oil is cheap, engines are dear.
Had 300ci straight 6 glad it made list its sure on mine
One of the biggest factors is pure luck along with maintaining the whole package ,I've had several high mileage engines the most documented engine was a 350 Chevy of around the 80 's it was rebuilt by me and went into a service truck and ran 537,000 when I removed it did gaskets ,seals timing set and put it back in its run another 250,000 since. Oil is how they live long that engine has always been on Mobil one.
I have a grand Cherokee with the 4.0 and its been through alot and its still goin that includes driving it with no oil for a few days lol
Excellent Commentary!!!!!
For your consideration: Mopar slant 6, AMC 232 ci inline 6, Chevy 4.3 V6.
The 3FSE motor in My 1998 Rav4 should be on that list. It has never let Me down in 23 Years!! -23c outside "No Problem" it fires up right away. I did change the Timing belt and Water pump as My owners Manual said to do at 125,000 kms but that's it. Oil & Filter changes at 5,000 kms.
Forgotten the 180 OM 636 / Mercedes. Designed as start engine in the 30 e years under the naziregime.
A start motor (the 170) running on benzine to activate the engine in the “famous” Tiger tank.
After the war thousand of these blocks where changed in to a diesel (the 180 D) used in ships, Unomag terrain cars, and still running after almost 100 years in pressure boats. The where strong enough to run the old taxis in 50tees, sometimes 1 million km. before overhauling crankshaft and pistons.
The 5.9 cummins is all-time best followed by the 300 cid Ford
Agree with the 5.9 never owned a 300 but the 460 in my f250 has 780k miles and the one in my drag ranchero has 340k miles
Diesel engines are the best for longevity especially non turbo diesels. The 6.9l Navistar Ford put in their F250 and F350's in the 1980's is a truly unstoppable engine. I had one that had over 786,000+ miles on it and started every time. It definitely needed the block heater but I drove it 300+ miles one way regularly without ever worrying about it breaking down and it only did once on the way back from such a trip and it was the starter that failed! It easily pulled down 25mpg under 65mph and around 10 towing a heavy load. It's one of my greatest mistakes ever to have sold it back to the man I bought it from for more $ no less!
My 7.3 L Powerstroke (early 2000’s) is better
@@themostmlgjellybean607 97 obs 7.3, no smog garbage. Most failures on anything newer are emissions control related
@@themostmlgjellybean607 no way with that huei injection crap
I have a 01 ram 3500 5.9 ho with well over 400,000 miles engine never touched still starts and runs like the day I bought brand new.
What about the Chrysler 170 ci. and 225 ci. Slant Six? Very reliable and each had good power, especially the 225 ci.
i fully agree with the top two. especially the OM617. if you’ve never daily driven a merc turbo diesel..: i ran that thing on olive oil. tiki torch fuel. automatic transmission fluid. essentially anything except gasoline. they are fully unstoppable, theW123/ 300D may be the best engineered vehicle in history. it’s just stout.
More can be squeezed into the list. The Volvo B18 4-cyl engine. You can google, they can go 1 million miles, still going and cant be killed. That is by far the simplest, easiest engine to deal with of all time. They also saw widespread use as marine engines and can take abuse. Next is the 4-cyl turbo diesel that went into the Peugeot 505. Cannot kill them. The engine in the Citroen DS is another one that goes forever. These are worth mentioning because the life of a 4-cyl engine is supposed to be about 125,000 but over time engines have come along to shatter that thinking. Toyota engines of the 80s were also superior, so was the Datsun 240Z 6-cyl engine. What all of these have in common is simple, rugged design, fewer parts, less complex systems, easy to work on. But that is the engine, it doesnt speak to the cars they went into. Often the cars were crap, rust, peripheral component failures like electrical issues, transmission issues, shakes, rattles and the rest of it. My current car is utter crap garbage but the Mitsubishi engine in it refuses to die and has over 300K on it and running strong with no repairs needed.
Mercedes Benz OM 601,602,603 are also very good engines mostly used in Taxis all over Europe with a mileage of 2-3 Million km!
When I was a kid we had a 1961 Pontiac Parisienne with a 261 straight six. That was a truck and school bus engine that GM, for some reason, put in full size Canadian Pontiacs. My father always said it was the best engine he ever owned . . .
The Chrysler slant 6...was a great engine. They had lots power, ran forever. They were even standard in larger Dodge trucks, n used as industrial engines in forklifts, generators etc
The list isn't credible without the Slant 6. I have a 1975 Lull 400 High Lift Loader rough terrain forklift with the Chrysler Industrial 225, still use it to this day, has a million hours on it and it simply won't die. These Lulls came with 318 V8's as well.
There's definitely a consistent theme here.....the simpler the better.
In Australia this rings true as well. Toyota's 1HDT and Nissan's TD42 have proven themselves time & time again.
I can personally attest to the TD42's reliability......it's a very agricultural engine and doesn't have a huge amount of power, but my Patrol is fast approaching 600,000km and still has the original engine and has never been rebuilt
still some distance to merc taxi diesels who have gone 3.4million km. still in working condition
I worked for U-Haul, we had a lot of Ford 300" trucks, people did understand they would outpull all the V-8s, even the International Navistar diesel..
My 1984 Mercedes 300D Turbodiesel has 571,000 miles on the original engine and automatic transmission
My dad used to have one from the late seventies. No turbo, made only 77hp lmao. Sadly whoever had it before him ran it with ether and eventually it just died
#1 on this list
which oil do u use?
@@MrRjnr Shell Rotella 15W-40. Suggested oil change is at 5,000 miles, I change it at 3,000 miles. My mechanic said that's probably the reason I haven't had to do the normal ring job at around 250,000 miles. Cheap insurance.
@@Tchristman100 great! I recently bought a 1980 300SD & will be using Rotella, or Castrol GTX, every 2500 miles (I'll probably only drive it 5 or 6 thousand miles annually)
i've witnessed cummins 5.9 quite durable here in India
My 300 ford straight 6 went 458,000 miles and I sold it still running
The Volvo 4 & 5 cylinder normally aspirated engines will go high 200,000to over a million miles if maintained properly- I've owned several that I've sold w/ over 240000& and seen around town after that! Got a loaner w/ 3800000+ on it,ran great,body shop owner showed me pix of 500000+ Vs he knew!
Volvos i agree
What about the Chevy “stovebolt” 6 cylinder that was used from 1929 to 1954? A real work horse.
Sorry gotta go with the GM 5.3l from 1999 to 2003.....mine is still a daily driver and it's got over 260k on the original motor and transmission, and counting. No smoke and starts first try even on the coldest mornings. Biggest thing.....preventive maintenance will extend the life of all engines
All of the 5.3 and 4.8 LS engines will run over 400,000 miles. Even with the cylinder deactivation, if you change the damn oil every 5000.
Very good, I have a 2006 Toyota Highlander 3.o v6 it has 414159 miles on it with good maintenance
Ford 7.3L power stroke diesel transmissions dont last as long but the motors are hard to kill
Not a Ford engine It was made by International (now known as Navistar) It came in Fords and International trucks.
If you put an Allison 1000 series 6 speed automatic it will last and it’s more fuel efficient as well. Those older transmissions that were put behind older Fords and Dodge Rams with diesel engines couldn’t take the torque like the Allison did in Duramax trucks.
There was no logical reason to stop making the AMC 4.0. Its amazing how company's discontinue there best designed products just to create a new design.
Government emissions BS is why they get rid of these great engines. Everything the government touches…turns to shit.
And the V-6 replacement is one of the worst for reliability!
300 inline 6 from ford, awesome engine, as an ex truck driver, the Cummins diesels were awesome, many of the older vehicles i drove would last a long time
but oil changes and tune-ups were important for them to last . many people do not think about the small stuff and engines dont last, and from what i have seen on you tube, many engines are trash because of their design and all the electronics on them, give me the older cars from the 60s to maybe 2000 and i will be happy, it seems the only good engines now are Japanese and a few american ones but you have be selective and do the research,
In Australia toyota are considered the top dogs when it comes to reliability. One of the most legendary engines would be the 2h, a 4L i6 diesel that literally didn't need a battery to run.
The 2h wasn't very good at all. 300,000 km and they were stuffed. Hard on fuel and no power. They replaced it with a better engine.
Had three and they were the very best.
Thanks for mentioning the real good engines, unlike other videos are using the most popular super car engines, also no nissan TD42?
Or the wankel engine lmfao
Where's the Volvo b230f ???
That Toyota 2JZ I6 is great for all Toyota Camry's and Corolla's. Now that is the kind of engine must be done for future Toyota Camry's and Corolla's.
you put a lot of thought into this video i have to agree I have a 1996 dodge turbo diesel great power never fails to deliver also 4 old diesel Mercedes one 240d i purchased for the manual transmission and 2 300d a 300sd great cars best highway cruisers you can get
This may be controversial, but the BMW M20, M50, M52, M54 deserves a spot on the list. Despite the cooling system issues, they are essentially un-killable in stock form. It's not uncommon to see one of these engines with over 300k miles, many lasting over 450k. One person has even achieved 700k miles without an engine rebuild.
1.9TDI also deserves a spot as well as the M57 and OM606 and also the GM LS. The B58 is potentially a future classic in terms of durability as well.