Ford F-250 Buyer’s Guide: Here’s What Engines Technicians Recommend
Here’s everything you need to know about 2011 and up Ford F-250 Super Duty pickups and their engine and transmission options.
In recent years, one of the more popular automotive-related questions we’ve seen answered pertains to what engine or truck an actual mechanic – the folks that work on them day in and day out – would want to own themselves. There are very good reasons why this format has become popular, of course – no one wants to own a lemon, and rather, most would prefer that their vehicle purchase lasts a long time without requiring a ton of work or investment. For those in the market for a newer Ford F-250 Super Duty, specifically, this new video from Flying Wrenches is precisely that.
In the clip, the mechanics behind the channel go over the entire engine and transmission range for the newer Ford F-250 Super Duty – from the model years 2011 and up – and give us their recommendations, which is notable as our host, specifically, has been working on them at a Blue Oval dealership for around a decade now.
6.2L Boss V8 (Gas)
First up, we have the 6.2-liter Boss V8, which is the base gas offering in many of these Ford F-250 pickups. It was also used in the first-generation F-150 Raptor and is a basic, single overhead cam powerplant, which would make one think that it’s a solid choice. Problem is, our host believes that they don’t make enough power in any guise – 385 horsepower and 405 or 430 pound-feet of torque – and he isn’t a fan. He also points out some common issues, which include misfires, a repair that costs around $3,500 to complete, along with the intake manifold runners, and sometimes, broken valve springs. Overall, he gives it just two out of 10 possible stars.
7.3L Godzilla V8 (Gas)
The same can’t be said for the newer 7.3-liter Godzilla V8, which is an overhead cam design and makes 430 horsepower and 475 pound-feet of torque prior to the 2023 redesign. Early examples of the Super Duty powerplant include lifter failure and a couple of oil leaks, but these have been few and far between thus far. Though it hasn’t been around long, early signs show the Godzilla looks to be a good powerplant overall, earning it 7 out of 10 stars.
6.7L Power Stroke Diesel
Next up, we have the most popular Super Duty engine of modern times – the 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel. No matter which iteration one chooses, it generates impressive power – 475 horsepower and 1,050 pound-feet prior to 2023, with an even more powerful high-output version now available. Our tech has made quite a few videos outlining its known issues, but also notes that it’s largely reliable – even more so than the old, believed 7.3. Regardless, over time, leaks are likely to develop, and the infamous Bosch CP4 fuel pump is a faulty addition. Regardless, regular maintenance can prevent many problems, giving it a solid 9 out of 10 stars.
6-Speed vs 10-Speed Transmissions
In terms of transmissions, earlier trucks came equipped with the 6R140 six-speed automatic – from 2011 to 2020 – which was then replaced by the 10R140. Our tech calls the six-speed essentially bulletproof, noting that it’s incredibly reliable – unless it’s used in tuned applications, which is about the only thing that will apparently kill it, giving it a score of 8 out of 10 stars.
As for the newer 10-speed, our tech is also a big fan, as it has also been quite dependable and is capable of handling loads of power. They don’t have much to offer in terms of potential issues either – save for a planetary gear recall early on – but otherwise, it’s a solid gearbox that does a nice job of handling power, giving it a strong 9 out of 10 stars.
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