Engines to absolutely NOT use in your musclecar!

In the last 2 posts I advised readers on the various engines that offered the most "Bang for the Buck" when restoring / modifying a musclecar project. Here's a list of engines that I absolutely would not use even if they were free!!  Every manufacturer has at least one; some have several. The reason for me vehemently advising against these is that virtually no parts interchange with the "traditional" V8 engines, and they made very little power to begin with, and aftermarket support is virtually non-existant. It's a fairly short list, but I would avoid these like the plague.  # 1. 262 or 267 inch Chevy V8. These were made from 1975-83, but they are a lightweight "economy" motor and practically nothing interchanges with a traditional small-block Chevy. It's not the small size; -a 23 T-bucket or '62-67 Nova could really rock with a properly built 283 or even a 305. I'll say it again: The problem is virtually nothing from a "regular" small-block will interchange.  # 2. 265 or 301 Pontiac V8. These were only built from 1977-82, they are again a downsized, lightweight "economy" motor and practically nothing interchanges with the traditional 326-455 engines. If you have a late '70's or early '80's Firebird or LeMans with one of these engines, the upside is the bellhousing bolt-pattern and motor mount location is the same as the 350-400-455 engines so swapping these in is easy. # 3. 260 and 307 Olds V8. Same story-lightweight "economy" smog motors that wheezed out maybe 150 hp. Some 307s will accept 455 heads and custom port-matched Edelbrock Performer RPM intakes, but why would you want to? The 350 or 403 are both way more plentiful and way more powerful either stock or modified, and the bellhousing bolt pattern and motor mount location will interchange. # 4. 255 Ford V8. These have practically nothing in common with the traditonal 289 / 302. They made maybe 130 hp stock, and no speed equipment interchanges. They were used in 1980-82 Mustangs, Capris, T-Birds, Cougars and Fairmonts. Trash it, and find a 302. # 5. 368 Cadillac V8. These were the horrible 4-6-8 engine-an early attempt at cylinder de-activation for fuel economy. Nothing interchanges with 390-425-472-500 engines from 1963-79. I mention this because the 472 /500 into a GM "G" body was a popular swap a few years ago. I have even seen some Camaros and Firebirds with this conversion, as well as guys restoring Studebaker Starliners and making "Studillacs". The 368 is useless. # 6. In closing, All of these "downsized" engines are useless for serious performance work, or even for mild cruising. Stay away from them unless you need a doorstop. Mastermind