what are the most reliable engine designs?

Answer 1

diesel - average life 1,000,000 miles +

Answer 2

The Mitsubishi 4g63 has been in production for almost 20 years, forged internals stock it handles extra power with ease. As long as the timing belt gets changed.

Toyotas inline 6 2JZ engines are known to be almost unbreakable with stock bottom ends holding down 1000whp.

Subaru's EJ engines have been around forever, just expect to do headgaskets and cam seals every now and again.

And any engine in production from honda or nissan, like B and K series, RB, VG and KA have reputations for being good reliable motors with oil changes and the occasional plastic timing chain guide (ka24de)

Any diesel engine worth its salt should pull a car past 500k,
most americans think diesels are sooty noisy and smelly so we don't get many models. In europe though... they get the picture, just about every manufacturer offers a diesel variant. And ford focus' come rear wheel drive, the way man intended.

And chevy v8's of course. They run when the car is rusted away around it and they practically invented the aftermarket part industry.

Oh and saab, known for going 1,000,000 miles on the origenal engine and the 3rd transmission.

Answer 3

The engines made of the same materials of the 60's cast iron. Fords early V-8, dodge 318 cid. Chevorlet 230 cid 6 cyl. Ford 300 cid 6 cyl. Chevorlet V-8 small bolck.
Reliable engines of the future 1995 and up 3.8 liter Buick Pontiac, also cast iron. More complex and all aluminum 3.0 and 3.5 liter Nissan 24 valve engine. The aluminum LS-2 GM motor with over 385 HP.
And I am finding out with trick new lubricants and good air filters many automotive engines out last suspension and body work. I have a couple customers approching the 500,000 mile mark with 3.0 V-6 1997 and 1998 Nissan Maximas.

Answer 4

Saturn builds their cars to survive almost inhuman abuse in general.

Otherwise, I would say that Honda engines are the way to go. A friend of mine has one that went without fresh oil for so long that it all solidified into rubber, and the engine block is now warped and twisted. It STILL runs. Though, not very well anymore, so he's lookin' for a new one.

Answer 5

Engines that really last a long time feature Cast iron construction, a heavy crank, big heavy bearings, and low speed operation. It needs to have a timing chain or gears and be able to freewheel with the timing chain broken.

Answer 6

any of them as long as it is a small block Chevy "this is my own choose"