That ol' Buick lump wasn't dropped in the 50's and it ain't a bad old unit all things considered.
It's downfall may have been due to the alloy construction-thru radiator/antifreeze problems or the US steel barrons-depending on the school of thought you wish to apply.
As for other engines used in various applications-in my humble oppinion there are very few bad uns-all have pro's and cons depending on availibility and "fashion".I've seen humble X/flows that'll rev past 9k and Pinto's were cleaning up in the MN road rally championship in the 80's before "racing on the highway" was replaced by navigational events.
Let's face it Saab did Ok with a 2 stroke v4 if my memory serves me correctly.
The K series comes in for a bad press but for a std 1400 unit- brilliant little thing as long as ya can monitor it's appetite for H gaskets-those litttle fellas sure like to rev.
You pays ya money and takes ya choice-I defy anybody who's been near to a V8 to say it doesn't make a most right royal righteous din under load
Good luck with ya motor Carl-still think Rover was a stupid name for a car but ya could always debadge her
