Popular Hotrodding has this article that mentions some of the worst motors ever made. What is your pick?

The worst automobile motors ever made

I nominate the ford 255 V8, hollow crankshaft, and 119hp stock then they stuck it in my thunderbird and the 2.3L I4 is useless.

They forgot to mention the first Chevy V-8's.............. No boys and girls, put away the tar and feathers, I'm not bad mouthing the '55 small block Chevy!!!! They built a V-8 from 1917 to 1919 and it was an absolute disaster. It was SO bad it took 'em almost 40 years to get up the nerve to try again. BUT it was worth the wait.

Hyundia Pony and Stellar 4 cylinder.............made in 84-87......still used points, heads cracked................piece of crap.

The Vega motors also stunk............the cylinder inserts dropped down into the aluminum block causing the head gaskets not to seal anymore. A friends car did this after 29000 miles. I fixed it with a big flat bastard file across the block....

and, you thought that I was gonna say....HEMI

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The GM HT4100. Came with a warning label explaining coolant leaks and using stop leak tabs in it. And not to forget the first few North Star engines with their bottom end oil leak that required you to pull the engine to fix it.

HEY! my first car was an 87 hyundai stellar! hands down the best car I've ever owned and the only one I regret selling. Had it a little less than a year, gave it fresh plugs and filters and drove the snot out of it had 387 000 km on it when I sold it. Found it a few years later in an autowrecker with 435 000 km on it and it was there because it was t-boned. Also experienced an 85 pony they are crap! different engine from the stellar and practically had to push it up hills so no arguments there...

Oldsmobile 350 diesel.

Larry

Wow, that is a great list of disasters. Still I think the Caddy 8-6-4 has to be the poster child for the "Just because you have an ME degree, it doesn't mean you can't be a consummate imbecile" club.

I'm currently re-converting one of these back to gasoline operation for an S-10 project.

Even when these diesels ran good they lacked throttle response and power, I had one in an '82 Olds Delta 88 and swapped it out for a gas 350.

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I guess the stout bottom end is at least one redeeming quality.

Larry

They forgot to put the Pontiac 301, Ford 255, the early Ford 3.8 and I would have put the Chevy 307 on their list.

convert one back to gas, put a lightweight crank in it, and you have a wicked base for a racing engine. The reinforced block makes it capable of withstanfding abuse

in stock form, pos

The 307 wasn't that bad man. Definately not bad enough to warrant being on the worst engines ever list.

My nova had a 307, ran fine....blew a little smoke and whatnot but was and probably still is reliable. The only reason I got rid of it was simply the fact that I had cheap access to a 350 and wanted a bit more power and an easier time getting aftermarket parts.

My dad has a caddy with the
CADILLAC V8-6-4

you can diasable the "6-4" part and make it run really nice as an "8"

How about the 3cyl engines they stuck in the first generation chevy sprint?

My wife had one of those in her '88 Sprint. It was bad, but the 267 Chevy was a lot worse. I'm also with Lindsey on the 307 deal. Not bad engines, just down on power compared to 350s and decently maintained 305s.