460
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460
Hi, I'm looking at buying a truck and I'm not sure what to go with. I wont be doing a ton of towing, but i want the power to tow pretty much whatever I need. Im on a small budget, under 2,000, and I've done a lot of craigslist browsing and narrowed it down to 3 options. Either buy a cheap bronco with a blown engine for about $800 and swap it with a 460 big block(my brother-in-law works on cars all the time and said hes done it and can help me do it) or buy a cheap f250 and fix it up. There are several late 80's early 90'sf250's for about $1200 that need a transmission which i can get for a couple hundred. There's also a couple f250 6.9s that dont need much work but have high mileage over 350k. Any thoughts or opinions would be greatly appreciated
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 9,176
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From: Western Central NV
I have seen several 6.9 diesels go over 500,000 if left stock.
But to tow the wheel base of a pickup is better IMHO. F250 gives you a heavier suspension etc.
The Bronco would be a nice toy but not really that practical if your looking for that.
The 6.9 diesel will give you better fuel mileage than a 460 empty or towing. The biggest problem I ever remember with the 6.9 was injector pumps. But remember the 6.9 doesn't compare to the newer diesels in speed & power. But they are good engines just don't expect to run up hills anywhere close to as fast as the newer diesels. So if your not in a rush don't mind slow steady pulling it will get the job done. The 6.9 reminds me of the old IH pickup trucks not fast but steady, will pull pretty much anything.
But to tow the wheel base of a pickup is better IMHO. F250 gives you a heavier suspension etc.
The Bronco would be a nice toy but not really that practical if your looking for that.
The 6.9 diesel will give you better fuel mileage than a 460 empty or towing. The biggest problem I ever remember with the 6.9 was injector pumps. But remember the 6.9 doesn't compare to the newer diesels in speed & power. But they are good engines just don't expect to run up hills anywhere close to as fast as the newer diesels. So if your not in a rush don't mind slow steady pulling it will get the job done. The 6.9 reminds me of the old IH pickup trucks not fast but steady, will pull pretty much anything.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 5,006
Likes: 72
From: Roseville, MN
From what I've read, the older IDI diesels (6.9 and 7.3) will go forever if maintained well, but if not (and many weren't) they don't last that long. Something about cavitation from not maintaining the cooling system properly making holes in the block. So it's not like you can buy an abused engine and bring it back with TLC.
And if you're thinking you need a 460 in a gasser I think you'd be incredibly disappointed in a non-turbo IDI diesel. Power wise they are probably closer to a 300 than a 460.
As Kermmydog said, a Bronco isn't a good choice for a heavy duty tow rig either. Too small of a dog for a big tail. Go with an F-250 or F-350. And stick with 2WD if cost is much of a factor. 4WD is more expensive all around.
And if you're thinking you need a 460 in a gasser I think you'd be incredibly disappointed in a non-turbo IDI diesel. Power wise they are probably closer to a 300 than a 460.
As Kermmydog said, a Bronco isn't a good choice for a heavy duty tow rig either. Too small of a dog for a big tail. Go with an F-250 or F-350. And stick with 2WD if cost is much of a factor. 4WD is more expensive all around.
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 3,066
Likes: 7
From: Over There
Good stuff here, of those choices I'd suggest the 6.9 F250 for the reasons mentioned however the cavitation issue isn't much of a issue with the 6.9 and overblown all around.
Yes they are low on power, but bulletproof and easy to deal with. If you can put a 460 in bronco you can put a turbo on a 6.9.
Yes they are low on power, but bulletproof and easy to deal with. If you can put a 460 in bronco you can put a turbo on a 6.9.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,969
Likes: 595
From: Greater Austin, Texas
I have a '91 F150 with a 460 in it and a '91 Bronco with a 7.3 NA diesel in it. Both were converted by me and both have ZF5 transmissions. The 460 is the better motor in every way except gas mileage. The 460 gets about 12 while the 7.3 does 20. The Bronco is a toy - the 460 is the one I count on to get a job done and the 460 is way cheaper to maintain.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 5,006
Likes: 72
From: Roseville, MN
Good stuff here, of those choices I'd suggest the 6.9 F250 for the reasons mentioned however the cavitation issue isn't much of a issue with the 6.9 and overblown all around.
Yes they are low on power, but bulletproof and easy to deal with. If you can put a 460 in bronco you can put a turbo on a 6.9.
Yes they are low on power, but bulletproof and easy to deal with. If you can put a 460 in bronco you can put a turbo on a 6.9.
If the cavitation issue isn't significant then the main issue with the NA diesel is power. And anyone happy with the power of an NA 6.9 wouldn't think he'd need a 460 gasser. 351s, 302s and 300s have similar or more power than an NA 6.9. They won't get the fuel mileage, and might not all last as long. But if he wouldn't be happy with the power of any of those, and would need to go up to a 460, he won't like an NA 6.9
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Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 3,066
Likes: 7
From: Over There
Yes, but can he put a turbo on it for under $2000 total in the truck (his specified budget constraint).
If the cavitation issue isn't significant then the main issue with the NA diesel is power. And anyone happy with the power of an NA 6.9 wouldn't think he'd need a 460 gasser. 351s, 302s and 300s have similar or more power than an NA 6.9. They won't get the fuel mileage, and might not all last as long. But if he wouldn't be happy with the power of any of those, and would need to go up to a 460, he won't like an NA 6.9
If the cavitation issue isn't significant then the main issue with the NA diesel is power. And anyone happy with the power of an NA 6.9 wouldn't think he'd need a 460 gasser. 351s, 302s and 300s have similar or more power than an NA 6.9. They won't get the fuel mileage, and might not all last as long. But if he wouldn't be happy with the power of any of those, and would need to go up to a 460, he won't like an NA 6.9
I own both a carbed 460 and a NA7.3IDI in almost identical trucks. I use the 7.3 truck and soon the 460 truck will be up for sale.
Old stock 460s aren't exactly power monsters either. If I had to bet on a drag race between a random stock 460 and random stock IDI, I'd bet on the 460 but it would be close.
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