5 Best Unknown V8 Engines From The Muscle Car Era

Everyone has heard of the Chrysler 426 Hemi, Chevrolet LS6 454, Buick Stage-1 455, Pontiac 455 HO, Oldsmobile W-30 455, and Ford 427 large displacement V8s. These were some of the biggest legends of the original muscle car era. However there are some small to medium displacement high performance V8s that have been forgotten over time due to hiding in plain view under the shadow of their large displacement muscle car brethren. Here's a list of the 5 best forgotten muscle car V8 engines form the golden era that pack a lot of performance punch and are worthy of honor.

[@scottrichards4399]

A friend’s Dad bought a 1958 Plymouth Belvedere with the Golden Commando engine package. This included 2-4 barrel carbs, dual exhaust, limited slip rear end, dual point ignition and heavy duty Torque Flite trans. The engine was rated at 305 hp. This car won its NHRA stock class many times and was a fantastic “sleeper” on the streets Birmingham.

[@scotth6814]

I like that you speak clearly, slowly, calmly with no music in the background.

[@chrispetty8587]

Clearly spoken but he cannot pronounce era properly

[@donalddoty5768]

And no limey accent

[@stempo1]

Studebaker 289 R2 and R3 were amazing giant killers, Amc 390, Chrysler Super Commando 273 (275hp), Pontiac W53 Sprint Six, Lots of cool engines.

[@martyburke2478]

+1 on the 273 V8. We had a 65 Dodge Dart GT with that motor that consistently outran 351 Mustangs. I'd also add the (Tornado) 343 V8 from AMC. I bought a 1968 Javelin SST with this motor and it had 186,000 miles on it at the time. My girlfriend at the time had a 1980 Pontiac Turbo Trans-Am. On the way home from having a stereo installed she decided to drag race me from a red light. I expected to lose on top end, but I was wrong. The Javelin just destroyed her. She didn't speak to me for 3 days because she was pissed a car I bought for $975.00 beat her $18,000 Trans- Am. I just laughed and said "you're the one that started the race".

[@geoh7777]

@@martyburke2478 You both were lucky there were no cops hiding in their hiding spot.

[@DavidMoore-co2ze]

@@martyburke2478 I remember those AMC car. Buddy of mine in auto mechanics trade school in high school had a black one 4 speed, 390 with a posi track in the rear. Man that thing was wicked! Getting down on it between 2nd and 3rd gear shift it would blow the dip stick for the oil out of the tube and make a ping noise as it hit the hood. Lots of power that car had.

[@dandahermitseals5582]

That Tempest Lemans ran a transaxle and should have been promoted. It was unique. Dandahermit.

[@dandahermitseals5582]

Also the Studebaker Golden Hawk was a total sleeper and blew the doors off a lotta shocked Poneys and Chevelle. Plus I thought it was Kool looking. Dandahermit

[@nancybrown9554]

Around 40 years ago,I installed a modified L-79 into the back seat of a `66 Corvair Corsa, that was a sleeper that embarrassed a lot of Chevelles, Goats, Boss Mustangs, Road Runners, you name it....Another "forgotten" engine was AMC`s 390, IIRC somewhere around 320 HP, a neighbor of mine had an AMX with that engine, and a 4-speed trans. It was a quick little car....

[@ksman9087]

The LAPD replaced its Plymouth Belvederes with AMC Matadors in the early '70's because the Matadors not only handled better than the Plymouths, but the AMC 401 actually performed better than the 383 Plymouth engines. Every PD that bought the Matadors really liked them, but the president of AMC did not think that AMC was making enough on the police cruisers and cancelled the lineup after 3 years.

[@johnavery6147]

I know your post is a few years old but I thought I'd add this. I could not get the secondaries to open on my 340 71 duster. Tried everything. Then I swapped it for a double pumper holley, 780 I believe. Talk about wake an engine up ! I live in a small town in Eastern Canada. There was no internet back then and speed parts were non existence . I embarrassed every Ford and Chevy to the point they would no longer race me. Thanks for listening.

[@deibama]

I must be getting old. I saw all these engines when they were new.

[@thewaywardwind548]

You and me both!

[@spiritcallsus]

... and I owned, drove, and raced many of them ... the most impressive to me was the LS-6 Crate engine I put into my Toyota Land Cruiser, daily driver and weekend Sand Dragger. (that was an engine I learned about when they first came out from a friend in the business, took a while before they became known by most and it was their high performance despite their being so under-rated from the Factory).

[@cth0211]

Your right, your old. Me too. We saw them new.

[@darrellborland119]

LOL...me too.

[@muttaqiala-mustafa6682]

KZbin look

[@magworks7583]

From what I heard about the 327 is the reason they stopped making that particular motor is that it never blew up. It was that well designed of a motor.

[@dangilbert8391]

I had 4 of them best motor ever made

[@jerryjohnson8485]

Pretty much the same problem with the 283s

[@pappagetti]

I would like to meet the narrator. He's the only person on KZbin who has entertained me and not asked for money.

[@sdfjgksgf]

I guess you had to have been there to realize how popular all of these engines were at the time.

[@inquiringmind4138]

Exactly

[@bigredc222]

The 289, 327, and 340 are some of the most iconic motors of all time, if you don't know about them, you don't know muscle cars.

[@modelnutty6503]

I'm surprised the 4 bolt 350 wasn't mentioned, but they are kinda famous.

[@tomswinburn1778]

These were the "forgotten" V-8s. The 350 Chev. 4 bolt main was a staple. There were millions produced. It is to this day THE most popular choice in "old school;" hot rod builds, regardless of brand.

[@jlo13800]

Do they have roller bearings? I heard the 340 does, not sure.

[@bigredc222]

Bruce Miller Someone's pulling your leg.

[@jlo13800]

Any motor can be redone with roller bearings if one desires to,Timken bearings can come in any size. I prefer rollers my self.

[@insulman100]

289 ford sb K code and chevy 283 sb power pack two of the best V8s ever built in my very humble opinion I've owned both and ran them very hard they both stayed together

[@jimmystone7325]

I agree those two engines were great

[@boston12111]

I was selling Pontiacs in 69 and had a 350 HO 4spd Custom S for a demonstrator. We ordered it to fight the Roadrunner price advantage over the GTO. It did the job but the dealer wouldn't let us order them for inventory. They had to be sold then ordered so we only sold 6-7 that year. What a shame.

[@williamlee7005]

I had a 273 high performance comandoe v8 in my 1968 Dodge Dart GT and I never had any complaints except when I passed a cop who said he clocked me going 146 mph. He wanted to see what was under the hood before he gave ticket with a smile . The ticket was for 10 mph over. You won't find that today.

[@jeremythompson9895]

Im only 43 yrs old but I'm very familiar with every one of these engines due to growing up in my grandfather's junkyard during the late 70s- early 80s when mid 1960s to early 70s cars were still fairly common. Not one of these engines are unknown if you're a true car guy. Always really liked the Ford K-Code 289 and Mopar 340 small blocks, especially the 65 Mustang Shelby GT350 powered by a 306 hp version of the K-Code 289 and the 1970 Plymouth AAR Cuda/Dodge Challenger T/A powered by the 340 Six Barrel. Also loved the 340 powered Plymouth Duster/ Dodge Dart/ Dodge Demon.....maybe the best performance bargain of the entire muscle car era

[@sithyarael6807]

Well I am 46 and these engines are all very easy to work on. Just a carb is the main thing. Yet I know a guy that makes carbs for drag racing and a lot of drag racers use his carbs either Turbo, Pro/Supercharged or nitrous. His car nitrous with his carb is a 5.80 car. Dude knows his stuff.

[@johnbirch7343]

While in Vietnam, I ordered a Dodge Swinger 340. Picked it up two days after I got home. It was a great car.

[@duffgordon9005]

A matching numbered k code's premium throughout the years proves that it has a history of being much loved. MUCH LOVED. In fact I would say it was the most loved of the small blocks.

[@colonypainting711]

65 Buick 300 nailhead; 67 Ford 289(4bbl, Falcon Futura) 70 Ford 302(Mercury Comet) 74 Buick 350; 79 Pontiac 301(2bbl Grand Prix and 4bbl Regal): Not necessarily rare or unheard of, but all were vehicles I had that performed exceptionally well without ANY modifications; and they were easy to work on. The only modifcation exception was the Comet, which had dual exhaust. Another interesting car I owned was a 1980 Triumph TR7 with a Buick 231 under the hood and a 5 speed manual transmission. It outperformed every other Triumph it ever met and a lot of V8s as well (for obvious reasons). Always interested in hearing about classic V8s though.

[@diggerodell7655]

one of my favorites was the Olds 425 Rocket. Only made for 3 years as the predecessor of the 455. Had one in a 1966 Starfire. Years later built one with ported and flowed heads, cam, intake, Predator carb, and a few more small mods to put out nearly 500 HP and well over 600 lbs torque. Transplanted this into a 1989 Jeep Wrangler running 35 inch Boggers, Very potent mix!

[@tiki_trash]

I would love to own a Starfire! I had a 2 door 1966 Dynamic 88 with a 425 2 bbl, I loved that car.

[@thomasglorius5730]

@@tiki_trash hi man i had a 62 starfire 394 rocket big 2 door console with a factory tach on floor lol .this engine rated 345 horse car ran smooth lots torque and a very cool colorchanging speedometer paid 250 cash around 1986 for it ive been to alot carshows never seen another lol wish i still had it. have a nice day

[@tiki_trash]

@@thomasglorius5730 Wow! That would be more than awesome. Oldsmobile made some nice stuff. Could you imagine trying to find some of that chrome trim after a minor fender bender?

[@cactussticker2815]

posiitvly attracted

[@edb3877]

@@thomasglorius5730 "... wish i still had it." The near-universal lament of car guys just about everywhere. lol

[@peterjlindley]

These are only unknown by people who weren't into cars back in the day.

[@es7614]

Funny, these were all the BEST known engines that me and my friends wrenched in the 70s. We weren't exactly poor but weren't rich either working in restaurants and gas stations. My fave was the 327 (L76?) in the 1964 Impalas. Thanks, great video (as is your 5 Best Vintage V8 Muscle Car Engines)!!

[@edb3877]

Oh my gosh. This brings back some memories. I bought a '67 Sunbeam Tiger in 1971 and it had the K-code engine too. In spite of its ridiculous 2:88 to 1 rear gear, that little car would get up and move! I sold it in 1974 to help finance our 1st home purchase but that wasn't so bad. I figured that it probably saved my life. lol The best move that Tiger owners could do to pump up the already good performance would be to swap out the rearend gears for a set of 3.55s or 3.73s. Not sure if there was enough room for a 5-speed trans to fit in there as it already was pretty tight, but with some creating cutting and sheet metal work, maybe. I street raced a guy in a 327 'Vette and when he looked back over his left shoulder, he couldn't see me but when he looked to his right, there I was. The look on his face was... priceless! 😆

[@bain5872]

You brought back a LOT of memories! I enjoyed it much. Thanks!

[@gregbenwell6173]

Another motor that isn't mention is the R4 Studebaker supercharged 289 in the Avanti...the tiny all fiberglass body though did make for a very interesting car and a supercharged V8 in a car slightly smaller than a modern Honda Civic (that weight even less) was an insane combination!!

[@Thumper68]

Motors are electric

[@user-sm3zp7po3s]

Who çares, thumper ?

[@jimhernandez3563]

I recall reading that Andy Granatelli drove a twin-supercharged R4 Avanti from 0 to 171 mph in 60 seconds flat on the Bonneville Salt Flats in 1964... but don't quote me on this. I was just a small child at the time...

[@BrianMitchem]

Go argue with Steppenwolf or something,@@Thumper68 . It's not like this confuses anyone but you.

[@Thumper68]

@@BrianMitchem I’m not confused at all. Perhaps learn about the word motor. Not my fault society doesn’t understand its original meaning and why it was used in auto makers names etc.

[@a.rjohnson4257]

I’ve had several 289 hipo’s and still think their great engines plus I love the exhaust sound of these motors much more the the 302’s that replaced them.

[@heinzbaron9129]

The K-code was a beast. My father had a 66 convertible with the K-code. His favorite car of all time.

[@heinzbaron9129]

@@radioguy1620 Except he sold it in the mid 70s for pennies. Easy come easy go.

[@ronmurphy6261]

In my younger years, 79-80, I dropped a 289 HO 4 barrel in a 71 2door Maverick, automatic tranny. Changed the rear-end to posi-track. Wanted to run headers, but the engine was so tight had to use stock exhaust with cherry bombs. Talk about a sleeper car ! Got me some extra gas and beer money several times

[@JimmyKraktov]

I guess it depends on which generation you belong to. All these engines were very well known when I was starting to drive in the '60s. I knew most of those specs from memory. None of these engines is 'unknown' to any serious performance guy.

[@MFATIYEH]

Same here.

[@montinaladine3264]

Totally agree, this guy is an idiot.

[@foxfordcatguy2283]

They were still well known in the '80s when I started to drive. Yeah, the 340 might be "overlooked" but they're all well known. The 271 HP K-code 289 and the 327 are downright legendary.

[@brynhowell5079]

Maybe the buick aluminum v8 in rover cars.

[@roninkraut6873]

Sure they may not be unknown to gearheads but the have been overlooked by time and are rarely heard of by the general populace

[@tandmautomotive3678]

Being a mopar guy my street weapon of choice was a 69 dart 340 4 spd, Some suspension work, ignition & fuel system tweaking mid to low 13's, Add headers, camshaft, gears, mid to low 12's. mine ate quite a few big blocks, got beat by a few as well, The fun days :)

[@hombre1965]

Had a 340 4 speed Barracuda and my greatest regret is selling it.

[@williamdozier5190]

Had a 1969 swinger with a 426 hemi , and a 4 speed , built for drag racers ,from the factory Dad had connections and I got one,, God was that fun , wish i still had it

[@dougt2574]

These are not rare unheard of muscle car engines these are the mainstream muscle car engines every car guy loves

[@pattigp67]

And gals :-)

[@mylanmiller9656]

I had a girl friend once that never heard of any of these engines, but then she was not into cars!

[@pete1729]

In 1971 when I was 10 I read about all these motors in Hot Rod and Popular Hot Rodding. For junior high school kids today, or even guys who might have grown up in the '90s, this is where they're going to learn about them. Clear and concise, no BS, this is a good video.

[@Gdavis135]

I grew up in my dad’s service station. I’m blessed to have seen all of these classic hi po V-8s

[@kenrussell1093]

Looking at those .motors under the hood, my first thought wasn't speed, it was "wow, look at how easy it was to change the thermostat!".

[@practicalplinking6133]

or set the point gap/timing !

[@FastFordClub]

I know I'm A Car Guy , But Everything You Just Talked About In This Video Is Extremely Well Knowen To All Of Us , Certainly NOT Unknown LOL

[@mikethompson2275]

Pontiac 326 tempest ?

[@Dannyjoemustanggt]

@@mikethompson2275 yup that was the firebirds engine option in 67. Convertible usually had a 2 bbl and the coup was a 4 bbl

[@Stratsrule]

Just ran across this channel. Love it. Ty

[@hombre1965]

396 Chevy is largely forgotten but extremely respected on the street back in the day. The 396 Camaro was an awesome beast.

[@gwydion6968]

I had a 1969 Dart GTS 340 4 speed and in 1974 out ran a brand new 454 auto Corvete in the quarter mile. Beat it by a nose. One of the best cars I ever owned.

[@an2lopejustin23]

I had a 73 Chrysler 340 modified with an RV cam, edelbrock intake, headers and no cats to dual freeflow mufflers. 300HP with 400lb/ft of torque in a 79 short box fulltime 4x4 Dodge powerwagon. Breathed so good you could get 18mpg going 75 down the highway on 33" tires. Off-road you could put it in low and would crawl over anything like a tank or hit that gas hard and jump over it. Would drive through a foot of snow all day long. Wish I still had that motor.

[@steve-ph9yg]

I use to have a 73 340 Cuda (1989-2004)that had a 340 six pack cam and lifters edelbrock torquer intake 650cfm holly hooker headers 727a auto Trans and a 1970 cuda Dana 60 rear end with 3.53 gear ratio. It fun fun fun until my wife's divorce lawyer took my Cuda away.

[@brianflowers9901]

an2lope Justin m

[@knote4958]

steve1758 "fun fun fun until my wife's divorce lawyer took my Cuda away" I can feel the agony in that sentence. That's why I'm gonna have my 340 Demon built and ready BEFORE I ever think of getting married

[@archiguitarchi]

in 1968 Mom had a 1965 Olds F-85 four door with a 330 automatic in it. I have NEVER known a car that would smoke tires like that car did, including my '68 Roadrunner. I adored that car. That engine will forever be on my personal "Least Appreciated Engine" list.

[@slantsix6344]

Me and my friends knew all these engines very well and even owned some cars with these engines. Very well known

[@ooopsicrappedmypants8612]

The most glaring omission is the 425 Super Rocket Olds motor on the first year Toronado.

[@midimancb1]

Agree. A powerhouse.

[@michaelruggiero2076]

Yes! Totally!

[@davidpowell3347]

Also if mentioning the Olds 350,the preceeding 330 probably was slightly stronger,having a more expensive forged crankshaft instead of the cast one in the 350,believe the first "4 4 2" used a version of the 330

[@michaelbenardo5695]

@@davidpowell3347 Yes it did, but only for that one year.

[@johnnyfairchild16]

Yes Sir you got that right

[@DANTHETUBEMAN]

The 327 l79 was one of the best street motors ever made.

[@tubedude4859]

They were one of the fastest anyway in a light car

[@dmgscalemodels2825]

Mini rat!

[@edwardcowardin4014]

My first car was a 1966 Galaxy 500 had a 289. Loved that engine. So easy to work on. Had a friend who put 302 heads on his 289.

[@johnnyfairchild16]

What about the 429 crank in the 390 engine that was a Beast or the 360 ford nobody wanted I loved mine it ran very well

[@rafaelleonidas2022]

Nice ride down memory lane...that 327 was my choice for my '56 Bel Air ...my first car. Would love to duplicate that set-up today.

[@MThrow]

I had a '66 Buick Wildcat GS when I was a teen, it came with the Super Wildcat 465 with dual 4BBL Carter AFB carburetors as a factory-installed option. The engine was coded "MZ". That car was a BEAST! Also had a Dart with a 340, and it had perfect power to weight ratio. I miss those days.

[@wymple09]

Buick 465 was a 425 cube motor. It was called a 465 for the torque it made. Before that they had the 445, which was a 401 making 445 ft lbs of torque.

[@artszabo1015]

I had a 1965 Skylark GS convertible with a 2 speed powerglide, it would eat 396 Chevelle SS for lunch and a 454 vette. Nobody liked being beat by a quiet unimpressive 2 speed buick. This was a single 4bbl Wildcat 465

[@johnnyfairchild16]

I had a Oldsmobile with 425 high compression Pistons it was a beast

[@samiam9059]

Remember a few mustangs in high school with those 289's and they really screamed sound wise. :)

[@anthonywendt5834]

glad to have stumbled upon your channel!

[@fonzem2589]

This is a chill channel keep up the good work man.

[@larrysmith6797]

None of these engine are unknown or forgotten to the most casual car guys.

[@mikewest9033]

Larry Smith right they are still common engines all except the 289

[@samk1584]

mike west The 289 is no longer common knowledge? Makes me wonder what folks would think of my 272.

[@scottsrfun]

that was because they were the worst engines ford ever produced. I put 5 of them into a 56 F- 100, everyone of them went bad.

[@tomswinburn1778]

You're a bad builder then troop. The 289 was one of the most bulletproof small blocks ever made. Unless you know more than Carroll Shelby. My guess is you DON'T.

[@jefffrancisco2788]

Your right Tom, and most don't know a small block Ford can be bored and stroked to 460 cid. Drop that in your 66 Fairlane 4-door.....

[@tallen4520]

Buick put 401's (with factory dual 4-barrels) in Rivieras,and were real powerful.

[@2lumberjacks]

Actually, they were 425’s. The Skylark Gran Sport got the single 4bbl 401. Got one sitting in my garage.

[@glennbeck8703]

In lighter body 401 25 mean not many ever made move!

[@davidmacphee8348]

That's my BABY

[@steventwiddy3402]

Great video man, you really did your homework on all of the facts and figures

[@ronschlorff7089]

The 413! "Little old lady from Pasadena", in her red super stock Dodge, was "the terror of Colorado Blvd". Was main street near me in Glendale, CA, back in the day when many of these engines were new!

[@suppressedinformation]

I had a 1969 Plymouth GTX with a 440 Special. Factory headers, Carter AVS carb and I put Thrush lake pipes on it. Cops followed me every time I got on the road. Speedometer registered 150 mph. Never had it more than 135 though. Great car.

[@popples4973]

That is a extremely badass car. Definitely a muscle car I'd like to own.

[@suppressedinformation]

@@popples4973 Thanks for the reply. Yeah, it sure was. It would sit down with both tires burning if I slammed the peddle and not move until I backed off. It also would rip the engine mount off on one side when I did that. Plymouth put out a modification on the problem by installing steel cables to the mounts. This car was straight from the factory that way. Wish I had it back. Lots of stories about it...lol

[@michaeldidomenico7]

the 302 Z-28 was an awesome car, as I had one of them, along with the SS396 Chevelle, loved them both

[@michaelvrooman5681]

Hot rodders invented that engine. It was a 327 block with a 283 crank and rods. Capable of 8000 rpms with forged pistons and solid lifter cam

[@tomschwartz4853]

Now the 302 Chev was an engine on this as it wasn't very popular in cars. Was that motor ever released by GM or is it like Michael said invented by hot rodders? I heard you could take a 454 and put a 396 crank in it to make a 427.

[@harryt988]

Very good overview !

[@jamesmacleod9382]

302 Chevy V8 in the late sixties Z28. It super impressed me when I read the test in Road&Track way back when. The whole Z28 Package was really impressive. Part's bin engineering at it best.

[@Ignignokt5150]

I had a '68 Dodge Dart GTS 340 . Was pretty quick , as long as it was in a straight line . Most cars were like that back then . I'd add the Chrysler 413 to this list . They made great power .

[@paladin0654]

Nice rundown on these motors. I lived through the 60s and I got to tell you these engines were very popular and well known.

[@peterkay2406]

Interesting! Thanks for the info

[@VincePGallant]

The old small blocks are deadly!😎

[@rickrhodes1110]

In the 70s my big brother had a 66 Mustang (not the fastback) with a 289/4bbl and 4 speed manual transmission. I'm not sure if it was a K code engine or not but he had a whole lot of fun with that car and everyone always talked about how fast it was. When he put it up for sale people were waiting in line to buy it and it wasnt in great shape so maybe it was something different/special. Anyway video brought back cool memories riding in my big brothers car when I was a little kid. Thanks and best regards

[@marcusjnewtonz28]

The 351 Windsor we had in our 69’ Cougar was awesome for what it was. Not the fastest, but fun to drive

[@t.parssinen3434]

In 1975, I had a '69 Cougar, 351-W and close ratio 4-Speed toploader. That car would lift the front tires slamming second gear (@60 MPH which was the 6000 RPM shift point to 2nd!).

[@victorcontreras9138]

Good coverage! This helps educate us to "lost 45s'"as they say in the vinyl records songs. Many of us need to think outside the box as there are many outstanding things that need to be brought to our attention. Good work!

[@texasknight5175]

Great episode!

[@donireland2640]

i sure miss those days. you can't even work on a car today

[@tomswinburn1778]

I can still change brake pads. That's about all. Oh, and oil and filters. Diagnostics?????????/ Hahahahahaha. DEALERSHIPS can't diagnose problems, even with their fancy schmancy computers.

[@mylanmiller9656]

Tom I agree with you, You take your car in for warranty work and they tell you they can't find what is wrong so Warranty don't cove it! They add a bunch of electronic nick knacks that they have no clue how to fix when they brake.

[@lobsterbark]

Cars are easier now, they are just different. You can hook up a computer and read all the sensors to figure stuff out pretty quickly, assuming you know what you are looking at. Dealership mechanics are stupid and don't know how to read the computer though. Part of this might be because manufacturers don't bother to write a proper repair manual anymore, but but a test drive with a good mechanic watching the sensors on a laptop can diagnose 90% of any engine or transmission problems any modern car might have.

[@daniellelemond7426]

That's for sure Don.. I helped my Dad rebuild his 66 Chevy II Super Sport. He drove it daily and raced on weekends. It started out with the 327/350hp engine, but blew out an oil ring at the drag strip. He worked 3 weeks chasing down all the parts he was seeking, but it paid huge dividends when he finished it. He found after market aluminum heads, 12 to 1 'pop up' pistons, a hydraulic Crane roller camshaft that would shake the morning dew off the hood idling., Hooker headers with cut outs to run street/strip. He changed to a double pumper spread bore Holley that I helped install at 10 years old. This was in 1977. The numbers didn't mean much at the time but he said it was putting out better than 450 hp. It would run in the low 12's at 130+ at times. He is gone now but I have the Chevy II all wrapped up in my barn as my retirement nest egg. In 10 years it should fetch 50K or better as the body hasn't a scratch on it. I crank it and drive it around the farm a couple hours each month.

[@kosycat1]

Unless you have a grand marquise like me =]

[@bryanswilik651]

Great video, I remember all engine's mentioned. I once had a 1966 Ford Fairlane with a 289 ci, 2 bbl, with a 3 on the tree manual transmission. Not a K - code but that car was a great runner and surprisingly quick! I let a friend borrow it one day and when he returned it he had broken the shifting arm completely off the steering column. Good friend uhh? But when you were behind the wheel you couldn't help it but to drive fast. Would love to have one like it today, I wouldn't change a thing on it.

[@mr.nobody68]

Fantastic video!

[@hardatwork3525]

I was born in 83, but ive worked on just about all of these, i love em, most kids in my 02 highschool class had no idea of these engines and i was looked at like i was dumb, but i had a 200 six aod 3 speed 82 futura that would eat the ricers my school all day; surprised the early hemis are talked about or the good old nail heads

[@robertdipaola3447]

Another overlooked engine with plenty of potential was the all aluminum 215 buick cubic inch engine, it's dimensions were a perfect cube in length and width ,and had power all out of its size

[@frankpeletz1818]

The turbo version ?

[@robertdipaola3447]

@@frankpeletz1818 I think so

[@1vrsc]

How about the AMC 390. I had a 70 Javelin with a stock 390 (325hp) 4 speed and 3.54 rear gear and it was very fast and powerful.

[@albertcarello5489]

1vrsc: These forgotten engines are truly fantastic! AMC got very competitive in the racing business.

[@donaldfrazier5244]

Drove a 70 AMX 390 4 speed manual that was the fastest I ever drove before I was 21!

[@phantomblott1]

In the fall of 1968 I bought a new 1968 AMC AMX. It had the 343 with go package and automatic. Over the next few years, install Cyclone exhaust headers, Edelbrock R4B with a 9625 Carter, Crane Fireball cam with Rhodes lifters, 3.73 rear gears, rebuilt the Bog Warner model 11 trans with the internal model 12 parts. That little 343 was just a rocket, with best 1/4 time ever at 13.009 at 101.03 mph shifting at 5,500 rpm. That AMC 343 was the best engine ever, I'd take another 343 over the 390 or 401 smog engine.

[@dkelban]

Great video!! I had a 1964 Impala SS with the 289 cu. Inch 4 barrel carb. What a car. Wish I kept it... Collectors item now.

[@purpurahaze9179]

That's a very rare car for sure because it doesn't exist Chevy didn't make a 289 only Ford and Studebaker

[@daffyduck9901]

Excellent video👍

[@kevinspencer1813]

W31 had high performance heads . Engine was balanced and blue printed. They did not share the same heads as the other 350’s. You could not get a w31 with power brakes because of the cam you could not have have enough boost

[@hudsonkeelin4642]

I had a 1966 Ford Fairlane with a 289 k code it ran like a jewel. Had plenty of power. Truly in my opinion it is Ford's best overall motor

[@joebouret747]

Agreed Ford and Chevy should have kept the 289 and Chevy 283 around longer.

[@mylanmiller9656]

The small block for was Fords best engine ever that is why it was installed in Ford Cars for 40 years.

[@hammerslammer3006]

Good list. The 340 and 327 both had steel cranks, short stroke,big bore , quick and loved to sing!!!

[@lawrencebohannon3139]

Great teaching, also good memories j

[@josephbolz4550]

If I remember right Grumpy Jenkens made pro stock 327’s make 500 HP in the mid seventy’s.

[@dalegosnell3930]

considering some were factory.rated.at.375 hp so adding another 125.hp wasnt a big deal

[@USCG.Brennan]

The 289 was "A" high performance option, but not "THE" high performance option in 1967. My '67 Fastback had a factory 390 with 4 speed.....and man do I wish I still had it!!!! ;-)

[@mylanmiller9656]

The K Code was an Option in a 1967 Mustang, My Brother had a 1967 Mustang GT with a 390 4 speed , My Cousin had 1967 Mustang with the K Code 289. Both cars with 3.89 gears the 390 was wasted by the k Code 289 every time they raced!

[@errolpoxleitner3163]

I have a 428 coup top loader 4speed.

[@Dannyjoemustanggt]

@@mylanmiller9656 yes the 289 was offered in 67 you're correct .

[@josephtravers777]

@@mylanmiller9656 390 had a lame stock camshaft

[@mylanmiller9656]

@@josephtravers777 The reason the 390 replaced the 271 hp 289 was because Ford could build the 390 for cheaper, not because it had more power. we Questioned the guys at Ford about the 390 Mustang"s performance.They told us they never intended the 390 to be a High performance option! They told us the 390 had similar power to the 289 HP at a lower cost.

[@MrAMF50]

Great video!

[@nickpanaritis4122]

Loved the video.

[@mohamhead9701]

Briggs & Stratton 3.5 is legendary

[@stumpgrinder1000]

Have to be some mention of the 413 Mopar mill.. a Legend

[@kevinsauer5794]

The 413 and 426 Max Wedges weren't considered part of the muscle car era though. I disagree with that because in 64, you could get both of them in a 330 sedan, which would smoke a GTO.

[@lucasskychaser7332]

413's was junk.

[@stumpgrinder1000]

better than any Chev mill same era

[@jameskester7745]

stumpgrinder1000 , don't think so, the 409 would eat them up

[@1badhaircut]

Kevin - exactly right - not part of the muscle car era - because Mopar marketing didn't get there first - Pontiac did. When they finally caught-up they used their experience to produce great cars with 383 - 440 - 6 packs - hemi etc. Those early Mopars were everything a Muscle Car is EXCEPT without any identity.

[@YeOldeTowneCryer]

Great job with the video. Lots of good info there. The 60's was a great time to be a car guy. I was 19 in 1965, smack dab in the middle of the car wars. I ended up with a 68 Charger and a 69 Road Runner. Several friends had the 64 chevelle 327 , or the skylark with the small block and they were fast. The camaros and firebirds were awesome. Man, it was great to be turning 20 in 1966. There was a blacktop strip south of town barely in Ilinois where we met and drag raced. One guy showed up with a1954 chevy four door. It had a hot 327 and four speed from a wrecked corvette. It was fast! Mustangs showed up with the 289. We always took turn being on watch for cops. If they started coming our way the sentries were about four blocks away and would signal to guys at both ends of the strip. We would just play it cool and let them cruise through. Sometimes they would stop and tell us not to loiter. So long as we were polite they didn't really do much to us. If they came really fast and tried to catch us racing we would just drive away at the speed limit and go into Wisconsin.

[@martinhavens9916]

My 68 pontiac firebird H.O. I love it! You hit the throttle and it just doesn't back down! Love my Pontiac!

[@chefgiovanni]

Good review here, lots of details on the old school V8 muscle cars. Thanks for sharing .

[@johnwest2204]

I do believe that most of these engine's were pretty well loved back in the day as well as now.

[@icevin1732]

My blue 69 swinger with the 340 was may favorite car I ever owned. Miss it bad.

[@jeffcampbell2710]

I put a 300hp 327 in a 67 Skylark. I did slight mods to the heads, Edelbrock intake, Holley 750, quality headers, with a Muncie Rock Crusher, 373 rear, and it was quick. One of my favorite cars ever. Drove nice, I put 80's Dodge Shelby buckets, and it sat nice. I wish I had it now.

[@insulman100]

I can believe everything except the rock crusher that was very rare transmission

[@jeffcampbell2710]

@@insulman100 it's 100% true. But, it wasn't as rare in the 70's, early 80's. You only used a Saganaw in basic rides they was everywhere.

[@insulman100]

@@jeffcampbell2710 can you tell me what makes a rock crusher a rock crusher without google and yes a rock crusher was rare in the 60s and 70s but like the old saying goes every Muncie 4 speed is a rock crusher all 327s came out of a vette all 12 bolts are posi traction and the fish that got away was huge so I guess you had rock crusher as of now I have 3 Muncie 4 speeds 1 m21 and 2 m20s of which one is a rare 26 spline input but not a rock crusher

[@billwhitis9997]

I kept waiting for the Ford 351 Cleveland Boss.

[@frankdracman3096]

What makes a small block motor a "Boss" was the inclusion of Cleveland heads on a Windsor block. The Cleveland block already had Cleveland heads.

[@frankdracman3096]

There was a boss 351 in the 70s.

[@tedgeldberg6498]

@@frankdracman3096 The 351 Boss Cleveland powered all De Tomaso Panteras from 1971 -1990 even when they were sourced from Australia when Ford stopped producing them in the US. I have a 500+hp Cleveland in my '72 Pantera. One of the best sounding engines ever!

[@frankdracman3096]

@@tedgeldberg6498 the Pantera used a regular 351 Cleveland, a powerhouse in it's own right. I tried to buy a early small bumper Pantera in the 80's.

[@mylanmiller9656]

@@frankdracman3096 Your Correct there was only one car sold with the Boss 351 engine stock it was a 1971 Boss 351 Mustang. What made it a Boss? a Solid lifter Cam Forged dome pistons for 11.7 to ! compression 4 bolt main block and an Aluminum intake manifold an da horrible 4300 Autolite Carb. The boss was under rated at 330 hp.

[@warrentrucks09]

To certain people these engines could be unknown. I saw a kid listening to the radio and he said he loved this new song on the radio. It was the Eagles. I told him that wasn't knew, it actually came out in the 70's. He was bummed, he thought it was new because he'd never heard it. So if you know these engines great, but I bet some of the younger generation that wasn't there will not be aware of some of these engines.

[@BashMonkeyRC]

Trust me, some of us are learning everyday. Out there catching up on some American engine history

[@bertdemeule4802]

bubba stephens sss

[@rodsoltau1338]

Hand them a rotors phone,lol

[@rodsoltau1338]

Rotary phone.

[@tippimail1]

bubba stephens-bingo-not everybody is 74 like i am!!

[@jorgemaertz3484]

Love it, , ahead of times, you could argue witch is the best, I take them all

[@Guardducks]

Very cool

[@zzyzxzee6374]

The 289 was a workhorse and delivered performance in lighter cars

[@donaldgrant9067]

Yea the young people today don't know what they missed. To take a car and make it an extension of yourself.

[@WredFawks]

Hi, I'm 27 and, yeah no, don't gatekeep car culture, dude.

[@TheMattc999]

Donald Grant uhhh, plenty of people still do that every day.....

[@corvettefever360]

Very true. Im 40 now, & while i missed the first muscle car generation, i am glad that i am old enough to have experienced them, & lucky to have grown up with those who knew them & passed it on to me. I am that last generation just before it turned over into what it is now. I was just on that cusp, & so thankful that i landed on the true muscle car side. And now after years of building and custom in high-performance cars, while I can respect and love some of the new stuff oh, but I still absolutely love building & racing "old technology", & smoking the doors off of new technology.

[@jensdavidsen4557]

Yeah dude please don't generalize...my generation has many "youngsters" like me... I'm a 34 year old millennial...my daily driver is a 2013 Ford Taurus SEL...my real car is a 1967 Ford Galaxie 500 Convertible with a 390FE +0.060" that I built last June. When I finished building the motor and having already fixed every other drivetrain, and steering/suspension issue the prior year, I locally broke in the engine with about 700mi then I road tripped it from Chicago to Salt Lake City UT and back. Even stopped when I noticed power loss with elevation gain to drop jets to accommodate for less atmospheric oxygen and reversed when I came back down. Older folks were dropping their jaws when they saw a "kid" changing jets on a 1450series Holley at a gas station.

[@michaelathens953]

You're not wrong, but a few of us younger folks (I'm only 33) appreciate big V8 engines. My first daily driver was a 77 LTD Landau coupe with a 400 and with only a valve timing tweak and bigger carburetor that thing crushed hondas all day long.

[@marko7843]

I've always loved that small Chrysler V-8! Always said that the 318 was the Slant-Six of eight-cylinders... A Challenger with just the TWO-barrel 318 was amazingly quick AND economical. Then, a buddy at the car-wash had a 340-Six-Pack with the pistol-grip 4-speed. WHOOP! I just hope that Alex held onto that metallic green beauty...

[@horkneeoldman]

I gave my 66 charger with a big 318 the dang thing wont die he starts it once a year to keep the rods oiled, after warm up still runs strong. Just don't make them like they used to. Good vid, thanks for the memories!

[@ChuckRCox]

No mention of American Motors 390 or 401 used in the AMX and Javelin????

[@bandccoresohio]

Yeah most people like real engines that cobbled together Ford Chevy and Chrysler scraps LOL

[@dufus2273]

good point

[@peteskipeteski4464]

darerog I had a 390 AMC in my '69 Javelin, which I had hoped they woulda brought up too

[@roninkraut6873]

The 401 is kind of popular but for sure those are overlooked engines. People forget, or are unaware, how dominate AMC was in the trans am series.

[@47485ksc]

I think AMC (Rambler) with it's S/Crambler is one of the most beautiful muscle cars ever made. Red, white & blue paint, a beautiful hood scoop all on just a basic American model. Very light car to begin with. 11 second quarter mile times if tuned properly.

[@ZMOONCHILDlive]

How about the 302 Cleveland? I'm guessing not too many Americans know about it. The 302 was a de-stroked 351 Cleveland that Ford only used in Australia. It was used in the XA, XB, and XC Ford Falcons that were produced from 1972 to 1978, and other Ford cars too. Or, how about the Hemi Six Packs that were used in the Australian Chrysler Valiant Chargers? They were Slant-6 engines originally designed for American trucks. In 1972 The E49 Valiant Charger put out over 300 HP with a 265 ci slant-6. The Muscle Car Era not only included the United States, but also Australia, and cars that were also shipped to New Zealand, and South Africa. They were made by Ford, Chrysler, and Holden (GM).

[@ZAKAR777]

The 351 Windsor is lighter and faster so the Cleveland became a memory

[@hanc37]

@@ZAKAR777 Back in the day I had a friend that had a 73 LTD with a 351 Cleveland. That thing ran like a scalded ape...

[@ronlalonde60]

chev 302 zap

[@nzmonsterman]

@@ZAKAR777 that is not the reason the Cleveland stopped being produced in the USA. It was emissions. The Cleveland was a small block with big block performance. It was so good the Australians kept using the Cleveland and was a strong performer and much sort after motor in their vehicles for many years after the US had stopped.

[@USGovsOwnersRtheRealEnemy]

Any Camaros in the land down under?

[@vassa1972]

Great video

[@lildrefkz404]

Oldsmobile 307 V8 might not have a lot of horsepower but she won’t die 😭❤️❤️

[@gmcaprala221]

These should not be called Unknown. Maybe overlooked? Or short lived? Not one of these motors is that unheard of, unless you have no knowledge of old cars at all, at which point, you probably wouldn’t care about this anyway.

[@harryjones2420]

I had a 64 Plymouth sport furry 383 commando 4 speed. Incredible engine, it would not float out.13 thru the quarter

[@thomasglorius5730]

harry i had one to 383 4 barrel pushbutton automatic very fun mine was red on red cool car ..had that around 1989

[@notme810]

The 350 Pontiac HO with the #48 (RAIII) heads and the RA cam. Those heads made all the difference, and in the little Nova based 74 GTO HO was torquey as any 350. Many got blown up. I had a 70 LeMans Sport with a 350HO it blew up, but I bought it and put an RA IV in. That was a motor. But the 350HO with the 48 heads was pretty good!

[@markg7030]

The most unknown V8 engine is the 62-63 turbocharged Oldsmobile Jetfire. YES! TURBO!

[@BuzzLOLOL]

Not unknown... it's what I drove back in the day...

[@FirebirdCamaro1220]

That was a Buick V8 (the 215)

[@BuzzLOLOL]

Olds made their own version using a higher performance block that took 6 head bolts instead of 5 and Olds-looking wedge chamber heads instead of Buick semi-hemi chamber nailhead-looking heads... and only Olds offered it stock turbocharged... Rebco-Brabham also offered an OHC F1 racing version... Rover offered an improved Buick version with EFI... Jaguar expanded it to 12 cylinders with the same peculiar bore and stroke...

[@789pokey]

Mark, don't forget it also had water injection.

[@tallen4520]

389 cid Pontiac?