V-304 Scout/Light Line
late 1960s–1980s family era193 hp gross / about 180 hp net representative early rating
Common small-displacement IH SV V8
TorqueList Original Technical Art
International Harvester V-304 SV V8
V8 · N/A
International Harvester · SV V8
International Harvester V-304 SV V8
The short-stroke 304 that became one of International's most common light-truck and Scout V8s.
304
Cubic inches
The 304 combined the SV family's short stroke with a larger 3.875-inch bore, becoming a durable mainstay across Scouts, pickups and Travelalls.
Key variants
All variantsV-304 Scout/Light Line
Displacement
304 ci
Bore
3.875"
Stroke
3.21875"
Years
1960s–1980s family era
Key Takeaway
The 304 retained the SV family’s short 3.21875-inch stroke but increased bore to 3.875 inches. The resulting 5.0-liter V8 combined a heavy deep-skirt block with simple pushrod valvetrain hardware and broad low- and midrange torque.
Technical Specifications
- Compression
- 8.19:1 in documented 1969–1970 Scout specification
- Horsepower
- 193 hp @ 4400 rpm in documented 1969–1970 gross specification
- Torque
- 273 lb-ft @ 2800 rpm
- Architecture
- 90-degree OHV SV-series V8
- Block
- Cast iron deep-skirt truck block
- Cylinder heads
- Cast iron
- Valvetrain
- Pushrod OHV
- Aspiration
- Naturally aspirated
- Fuel delivery
- Carbureted
- Firing order
- 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2
The 304 retained the SV family’s short 3.21875-inch stroke but increased bore to 3.875 inches. The resulting 5.0-liter V8 combined a heavy deep-skirt block with simple pushrod valvetrain hardware and broad low- and midrange torque.
Internal Specifications
Variant-specific values are labeled. Engine families that span multiple years or RPOs can have different heads, cams, induction and rotating parts, so the exact code/year always takes priority.
Identification & Output
- Engine codes / RPO
- V-304 / C-304 / 304 SV
- Casting numbers
- Use the machined IH engine-ID pad and serial with 3.875 x 3.21875-inch dimensions to identify an SV 304; casting alone is not retained as universal proof across the long production run.
- Power rating
- Documented early Scout data includes both gross and net brake horsepower
- Horsepower RPM
- 193.1 hp @ 4400 rpm maximum/gross; approximately 180 hp @ 4400 rpm net in period Scout data
- Torque RPM
- Approximately 270.5–273 lb-ft @ 2800 rpm
Operating Specs
- Production notes
- The 304 shares the SV family’s heavy deep-skirt construction and uses a 3.875-inch bore with a 3.21875-inch stroke. It replaced the 266 as the common smaller V8 in later Scouts and Light Line trucks.
Compatibility Notes
- The International 304 is completely unrelated to the AMC 304. Bellhousing pattern, distributor location, heads, manifolds and internals do not interchange.
- SV 304, 345 and 392 external parts can appear similar; identify the engine from the IH ID pad and bore/stroke before ordering rotating components.
Notable Applications
International Scout 800International Scout IIInternational pickupsInternational Travelall
Strengths
- Very durable truck architecture
- Good low- and mid-range torque
- Common IH donor engine
Weaknesses / Watch-outs
- Heavy
- Oil drainback/sludge issues can appear after poor maintenance
- Often confused with AMC 304 despite no relation
Common Upgrades
- Electronic ignition
- Four-barrel intake
- Headers and dual exhaust
Racing History & Legacy
The IH 304 was built for truck and off-road durability rather than a dedicated factory race program. It became one of the most familiar Scout V8s and a long-lived utility powerplant.
The International 304 remains one of the best-known Scout-era V8s. Its identity is important because it is completely unrelated to AMC’s 304 despite sharing the same displacement designation.
References & Image Credit
IH Scout engine specification document
technical reference
IH engine service manual listing
service reference
Anything Scout — Scout engine output and availability reference
technical reference
International C-120 brochure — V-304 bore, stroke, horsepower and torque
period manufacturer material
IH Scout engine specification document
technical reference
International Harvester operator manual — C152/C196/C304/C345/C392/C446/C549/C605
manufacturer service manual
IH Parts America — International SV V8 firing order and timing reference
specialist service reference
Key Factory / Build Variants
Engineering Notes Worth Knowing
01
3.875 x 3.21875-inch bore and stroke; 304 cu in / 5.0 L.
02
90-degree SV-series OHV V8 with cast-iron block and heads.
03
Documented late-1960s Scout output: 193 hp at 4,400 rpm and 273 lb-ft at 2,800 rpm.
04
Used in Scout 800, Scout II, pickups, and Travelall.
History · context · related reading
The Story Behind International Harvester V-304 SV V8
The 304 became one of the engines most closely associated with classic International light trucks. It was large enough to move Scouts and Travelalls with authority but still compact within the SV family.
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