265 hemi straight six
I've been running a healthy 265 for 29 years so far with a Holley Street Avenger.
It has spent most of it's life towing trailers loaded with cars 500km in each direction and has been a good, torquey street engine. The only problem I've had was the cam timing was wrong when the engine was built. Once I fixed that it has been fabulous.
I also have a highly modified 265 running triple Weber carbs in a Charger and it scares the hell out of me.
No doubt they are slower than my SRT-8 6.1 Hemi, but most people I know rate the 265 highly as a good reliable engine.
Everyone has a right to an opinion.
True "Everyone has a right to an opinion" BUT when you've heard the same old same old emotive Aussie knocking machine that's best left inebriated at Prawn Barbi, It grows somewhat tiresome. Especially when you've been involved with the NZ manufacturer & assembly plant of the time : New Zealand's TODD Motors (incl involving top Cam grinder Shop you may've heard of: Kelford Cams, I don't need to challenge anyones credentials, but the AU jaded eye I can't alter, but you'd be surprised what I know involved in Valiant NZ & charger assembling & trouble shooting over your Dads ( fellow above) dealership ( maybe the export models were tuned & put together better ;-) ).
I go on Fact not hearsay or opinion. Cheers. T.
The Positives: Big lifter foot area like AMC's ( oh god another awful Aust Marc), Oil pump Contents same as SB Mopar V8, Single Post rocker arms, Solid Conrods, Same bore as 318 ( same rings) Reliable Carburetion. Hi Perf parts over counter ( incl OEM 325hp little know Bathurst Cam) 2 & 4bbl Carb options on the VG '71 Pacer, Reliable early points ign distributor, Common Auto Trans & BW diff - all easily serviced, ability to hold tune for long time etc etc.
I'm not going to argue the toss what design engineers knew ( it was their livelyhood) - like did you know the NZ 265 2bbl 770 Chargers & Pacers with the Split Exh manifold, had warmer Cams slipped in them (203hp jobs, rated std for insurance) For the Dads dealership fella above.
Shocking terrible lumps of cast iron (SIC): go ask Retired Repco Eng Recond. machinist...ask his opinion.
Cheers mate.