I am looking at getting a f250 to use as a farm/work truck. i have considered geting a diesel. What year was the first powerstroke? I am leary about a diesel because I don't know much about working on one. I would feel more comfortable with a gas engine. Is there anything I can do to a 351 or 460 that would even come close to the power of the diesel? Any crate engines that would work with the factory computer and fuel injection? I know from experience from work how much power the diesel has but I'm just concerned with owning one myself.

 

the 460 matches the power of a diesel just fine, just suck more gas doing it, but cheaper to rebuild than the diesel.

first year powerstroke was 94 1/2, they started making them late 1994, so basically 1995.

if you are mechanically inclined enough to work on a gas motor than you should able to work on a diesel....but not if any work to do and if there is a major repair to be done, like having to go into the internals, most likely a shop will be doing it anyway.

heck, the price difference between what they want for a gasser and a diesel of those years more than presuade anyone to get a gasser, unless you are a hard caore diesel fan.

crate engines? they make crate engines work with anything you tell them to, best bet is just find a truck, with a 351 or 460, whatever is better conditon, and if the power is not enough for you, yank the engine and throw another one in, replace the 351 with a 460 or just rebuild the 460 if it comes with one.

there are some good diesel deals out there though, pretty high mileage stuff usually goes for cheap, i would get one and run it until it needed rebuilt.

the trannies are what i would be worried about, the e4od is not the greatest thing ever put in a truck and most likely one you find of that year would have already been rebuilt and maybe even will need rebuilt again by the time you got one.

a 5 speed i heard is pretty stout but i have no personal experience with one.

the 351...people like them but i think they are a dog, my friend had one in his f250 and i could run circles around him with my f350 with a 460 in it, mine would pull just fine after i opened up the engine some, i think they are doggy stock, but they are cheap to get the power out.