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You could get any engine you wanted those years. You could get the 300-I6, the 302, 351, 400M, or the 460. You could also get the 6.9 liter diesel. It all depends on the year, and what engine option the factory checked off.
The 351M and 400M were discontinued in 83 or 84 I believe but I'm not positive on the exact year. The 460 is the king of gasoline engines in an F-250 or F-350 if you want to tow HEAVY loads. If you don't tow that much, the 351 is the best all-around engine to have IMO.