ok, i'm looking to get a 87+ F250 and wondering what the best Engine/Tranny Combo is. I am looking to go with a Diesel probably but a 460 gas would be ok. What do you think?

 

Get the diesal. I have a friend that bought one new and then gave it to his step son. As far as I know it is still going strong. It was made by International Harvestor and it will never die. It's a real truck motor like a CAT, Detroit, or Cummins.

 

F250 460 = $$gas$$hog.

Go for the 7.3, we had an 89 NA 7.3 that pulled a gooseneck/flatbed/fiver very well, and got pretty good mpg.

 

Yeah, I plan on going for the 7.3 as the parts are reasonably priced. Anything in the powerstroke class is too expensive, such as injectors. I want a good realiable truck, no big mods, just good power and realibility. Well that and 4x4 for the occational playing.

 

Yeah, the NA 7.3 is no slug either. Do a full ehaust and bump the fuel, and it will run very well. Little heavy for four wheeling, though. Still, I wouldn't mind having a 4x4 F250 7.3 myself.

 

I run a 87 f-250 with 33's, 4.10's, posi, and a real low geared 4 speed. It pulls itself around, but its definently a stripped down farm truck. The 302 just is not enough for really heavy work..It will get the job done, just at a nice easy pace.

Atleast get yourself a 351. The 7.5 is a bit of a gas hog (though thats the price you pay for big block power). The 6.9 navistar and 7.3 psd are good diesels. It is harder to get parts for the 6.9 now.

As for trannys, I think they still used the c6 for an automatic (or the OD equivalent). I know the zf 5 speed was behind some of the diesels.

 

I run 2 5.8L one F250 and one F350. I also have 2002 PowerStroke. It depends on the job. If you tow a lot or go a lot of miles, then the diesel can save you money. If you go 460 you may want to step up to 3.55 or 3.73 gears. That will help some on gas. If you tow alot though the mileage won't be good for the 5.8. I prefer the 5.8 because it is lighter and revs up good. I only tow 10-15% of my miles. I do load the truck though and would like more power at those times but the 5.8 will do what I ask. If you get a diesel, you will need 4wd. I run 4.10 in the 5.8 trucks. I get 13-14 in the F250 and 11-12 mpg in the F350. The diesel is a 4x4 and gets better mileage but it cost quite a bit more. I also had to replace the trans at 50K because some employees don't know the difference in driving diesels in mud!. Trans costs $2500 and I did the work. The gas trucks have been very reliable and I have 260K and 160K one both with original (and still strong) engines. I would prefer 7.3 over the 6.9. Pay attention to the trans. If someone else may drive it, go with the auto because it will offset some driver mistakes and avoid costly clutch/flywheel repairs. All trans are at risk though because of the torque involved. E4OD is better than AOD. Later models have trans improvements. I run ZF 5 speeds (different models though) and the diesel has ZF 6 speed. I avoid all early AOD's. 1990 or so up have better valve body/torque converter. I assume '92 up and '95 up will also have better E4OD. It's mostly preference, but I like F250 5.8L ZF 5 speed. I can wind her up in the mud and get another gear if needed. My 2wd goes here diesel 4x4 goes and sometimes pulls them out. Mudding depends on rear end and tires too though. I log and ranch and have to compensate 100-150 highway miles per day with driving in mud. I only occasionally tow up to 10-12,000 lbs. All heavy duty Fords are sold quickly here except the V-10 and even it has a following. Diesels bring a lot more and move quicker. I can't knock any of them because I've had 4.9 and diesels. 4.9 and 5.0 can't pull like the bigger engines nor were they intended too. The C6 was used early on. You can get a good or bad truck with any combo. Just match its capabilities with your intentions. And drive it accordingly. I might make some readers mad but I've yet to have a diesel pass one of my gas rigs if I didn't want them too. I just keep them full of gas and don't tow up hill though.