I am looking at an '86 F350 flatbed tow truck. It has a 7.3 diesel with a 4 speed and under 100K. It gets 13mpg. I am looking at an '88 F359/460/5spd with 80+K .My past experience with the diesel has not been good, throwing belts, underpowered and fussy. Any thoughts on either combo. My main use will be taking my car to the track and picking up scrap and projects.

 

Get the bullnose.The 7.3 has plenty of power just dosent get up and go very fast w/o the turbo. The 460 will get up and go but your mileage will suck! Not to mention that plastic headlights suck.

 

You have some interesting choices there.

The diesel will get better fuel mileage, but the 88 has a 5 speed and that is a overdrive tranny. The 460 will be turning a lot less rpms on the highway, of course depending on what gearing is in the rearend. If the overdrive brings it closer to the diesel in mpg, it then comes down to fuel cost and gas is a little bit cheaper.

You are correct, the diesel is weak, the 460 will have plenty of power. Turbos are nice, but costly to buy and install, the 460 is ready to go.

You will have to look at the rest of truck(each one) to help make the decision. I normally would say get the diesel, but in this case it's too close to call.

 

86 with a 7.3? Sounds a little fishy, since the 7.3 came out a couple years later. Must have been swapped in if it truly is a 7.3. More likely it's a 6.9, they are identical on the outside, aside from head bolt size.......
The 7.3 came out a year later than the ZF 5spd. 88 I think.

 

7.3 came out 87.5, and the early 7.3's are the least desirable, the later models, 90-93 are the ones you want as they were putting out the most hp and tq.

The 6.9/7.3 are bulletproof motors, not the most powerful things in the world, but will get the job done. That being said, the 460 is a bulletproof motor as well, that will more than get the job done, and sound really good doing it.

Something to think about, parts for the diesel are a little more than double than those for a 460, maybe triple in some instances, food for thought....

 

I personally don't have anything against an IDI diesel but they are slugs. Plenty of power just no get up and go. Since you asked for my $0.02 I'm gonna say save your pennies, hunt the interwebs, craigslist, etc... for a good used low mileage powerstroke. Yes, parts will be "expensive" but if well maintained the body will rot off the frame before the motor dies. Mine's got over 175,000 on it and runs top notch. Plenty of "bawls" (get up and go) and torque as well as decent fuel mileage. Right now it's getting crap mileage but I think my fuel tank selector is pushing the return fuel into the leaking front tank. Separate issue...

I know that's not one of your options I just wanted to throw it out there if you were seriously looking towards a diesel. I had an '85 w/ 6.9 idi and over 300,000 miles on the clock or so it was assumed. The rig had no get up and go but always started and ran great.

You just need to figure out what's more important. Upfront cost or fuel mileage. I picked my current '84 because the p/o only wanted $800 for it. Knowing what I know now about the 6 cyl trucks, I would have waited and looked for one in better shape and might have spent a little more $$ up front. Oh well, I'm stuck with mine so I'll make do.

again, my $0.02

 

Get the 460. More performance options and you can fix gas mileage issues later.

 

About a month ago, I had 2 7.3L powerstrokes come in the shop with over 400K. One was a one owner truck with 421K, and he swore I was the first person to ever pop a rocker cover off, much less an injector. It got 4 reman injectors and 4 glow plugs. Still waiting for it to come back for the other 4/4.
Next day, in rolled another truck with 423K. It needed an injector, valve cover gasket (electrical connection was bad) and an injector driver module.
I've heard of 7.3L PSD engines with well over 800K to 1M+ still going strong......
They are costly to repair, and even doing repairs yourself isn't cheap as the parts are costly. But treat them right, and they'll do you the same.

 

I would get the diesel. I like diesels. My 2000 Powerstroke is great.

I would get that diesel and find a used ATS or Banks turbo setup for it.