Some engines are only useful as boat anchors.....

I get asked all the time by people for tips on hopping up or rebuilding some obsolete turd. It's odd, because these people seem obsessed with using something that no one else wants. For good reason. Here's my list, in no particular order. #1. 265 inch small-block Chevy. Unless your Concours restoring a '55-56 Chevy to the nth degree, these are doorstops. People loved 283s, because they could be bored to 301 inches. 327s are great if you have one.  Avoid the 307 used from '68-73. They have no power, and they don't rev high. And with 350s a dime a dozen why would you mess with a 307?  # 2. 300 / 327 / 340 Buick V8.  There is zero aftermarket support for these engines, and they don't make anywhere near the power and torque of the '68-77 350. # 3. 301 Pontiac. These share virtually nothing with the "traditional" 326-455 Pontiac V8 and there is zero aftermarket support.  # 4. 255 Ford V8. These early '80's "Economy" V8's share nothing with the traditional 260 / 289 / 302 small-block Ford. They have the triple axel of no power, crappy gas mileage and zero parts availability. # 5. 260 / 307 Olds V8. These are different from the 330-350-403 Olds small block. The motor mounts are in the same place which makes the 350 / 403 an easy swap. # 6. 360 Ford V8. A lot of '70's trucks had these turds. They have the double whammy of no power and crappy gas mileage. They are an FE engine, but they don't run near as well as a 390, or even a 352 in an old Galaxie.  # 7. 361 Chrysler. These are a "B" engine, but they don't run nearly as well as a 383 / 400. They don't run as well as the "LA" 360 small-blocks. Don't throw good money away on a turd. Mastermind