460 power and reliability questions
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Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: The Star-Club, Hamburg
460 power and reliability questions
I am considering buying a 1988 F250 4x4 SuperCab with a 460 and 5 speed OD trans. I've never had a truck with a 460 before and have some questions. My apologies if these have been answered before.
1) This truck would be used for a farm truck, towing wagons and hauling loads, but also for a daily driver, averaging around 30+ miles per day. I realize that mileage would not be great, but wonder what sort of mpg this truck would get?
2) This truck has 135K miles on it. How is the 460 for reliability with this many miles? Reliability is the number one priority on my list, as this would be my only truck.
3) Like I stated, it would be used mostly for a daily driver, but once in awhile would be used for some heavy hauling and towing. Any particular problems with the 460/5 spd combination in that regard (cooling, power, etc.)?
4) Any other concerns that I might have overlooked?
Thanks for any help you can give me with this.
FarmForward
1) This truck would be used for a farm truck, towing wagons and hauling loads, but also for a daily driver, averaging around 30+ miles per day. I realize that mileage would not be great, but wonder what sort of mpg this truck would get?
2) This truck has 135K miles on it. How is the 460 for reliability with this many miles? Reliability is the number one priority on my list, as this would be my only truck.
3) Like I stated, it would be used mostly for a daily driver, but once in awhile would be used for some heavy hauling and towing. Any particular problems with the 460/5 spd combination in that regard (cooling, power, etc.)?
4) Any other concerns that I might have overlooked?
Thanks for any help you can give me with this.
FarmForward
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Montana
460 power and reliability questions
I have a 94 F-250 with the 460 and 5-spd with 171,000 miles. I know the trucks arn't the same years but the engine and trany should be. I use my truck for the same things you will and am very happy with it. Plenty of power. I average around 11.5 mpg around town and on the country roads. The only problem I have had with the truck is that the rear passenger side exhaust manifold stud broke off in the head from to much heat. The cat was very pluged up and most likely didn't flow enough to let the heat out during hard long pulls. The head had to be taken off and the inside of the motor looked new and had very little wear, so you should be fine for reliability. Sorry for the long post but hope it helps.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 431
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From: Midwest
460 power and reliability questions
I have a 91 that I use for a lot of the same uses you describe. The only major problem has been with the tranny's (E4OD). So with the stick you oughta do great, as for fuel economy I average about 10 mpg under almost every condition, empty, loaded, towing, etc... with the 5 spd I would expect you to get a little more. Oh yeah almost forgot, 185,000 hard miles and it's my daily driver.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,297
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From: Billings MT
460 power and reliability questions
Here is my response to your questions:
1) I get about 12 mpg and drive about 110 miles everyday up and down hills with 4.10 gears and 1 ton axles
2)I have 122k on mine. Father in law has had several 460's go 200k easy and I talked to a few shops around here before buying mine and they said 225k is usually the low end of when they see 460's coming in.
3) Kevinrf250 is right about the manifolds. That is a typical 460 problem. 460's are also infamous for cracking the passenger manifold...don't know why but they do.
I have put 14000 on my 90 in 7 months and haven't had one complaint except that the fuel selector switch went out and had me totally confused because the gauges still worked, but no fuel.
Hope this helps
1) I get about 12 mpg and drive about 110 miles everyday up and down hills with 4.10 gears and 1 ton axles
2)I have 122k on mine. Father in law has had several 460's go 200k easy and I talked to a few shops around here before buying mine and they said 225k is usually the low end of when they see 460's coming in.
3) Kevinrf250 is right about the manifolds. That is a typical 460 problem. 460's are also infamous for cracking the passenger manifold...don't know why but they do.
I have put 14000 on my 90 in 7 months and haven't had one complaint except that the fuel selector switch went out and had me totally confused because the gauges still worked, but no fuel.
Hope this helps
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 132
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From: Cottondale, Texas
460 power and reliability questions
I agree with the previous post. I do a lot of towing and rack up a lot of miles. I've bought 460's new since 84. I've had 84, 87, 90, 94,95,97 accumulating a total of right a million miles and have never had a internal part fail. A 460 should have its timing gear and chain replaced at around 50-75,000 miles if it's been worked, they are prone to getting slack in the factory chain and it it jumps a tooth it could trash the engine. Also, I'm on my second V10 and I would take a 460 any day over the V10, it seems to pull easier without having to run as many rpms, which I think has a positive effect on it's longevity.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,314
Likes: 35
460 power and reliability questions
1) This truck would be used for a farm truck, towing wagons and hauling loads, but also for a daily driver, averaging around 30+ miles per day. I realize that mileage would not be great, but wonder what sort of mpg this truck would get?
I get 10.5 - 11.5 MPG with the C-6 tranny and same rear.
2) This truck has 135K miles on it. How is the 460 for reliability with this many miles? Reliability is the number one priority on my list, as this would be my only truck.
I hear 460s go to 200,000 easy. I would think it has at least 5 years of life left in it.
3) Like I stated, it would be used mostly for a daily driver, but once in awhile would be used for some heavy hauling and towing. Any particular problems with the 460/5 spd combination in that regard (cooling, power, etc.)?
A 1989 F250 4x4 SuperCab with a 460 and manual tranny is HD.
With the 4.10 rear, it is rated for 10,000 lbs.
With the 3.55 rear, it is rated for 6,500 lbs.
Myself, I would prefer the C-6 tranny with the 3.55 rear. But 460 with 4.10 rear will tow anything, whether manual or auto.
4) Any other concerns that I might have overlooked?
IMO, using the same vehicle for towing/etc. and a daily driver. It can be done, but the 4.10 rear it does not like highway speeds. Can go 65MPH but much higher and then then engine starts screaming. Higher RPMs than a higher-geared truck, say with 3.73 or 3.55.
With 30+/day you are looking at a $1,700 annual gas expense. Unless you have to use it as a daily driver, I would use it exclusively for towing and use something else for daily driving (i.e. a small block V8 sedan capable of 22MPG) it will come out cheaper after several years.
I get 10.5 - 11.5 MPG with the C-6 tranny and same rear.
2) This truck has 135K miles on it. How is the 460 for reliability with this many miles? Reliability is the number one priority on my list, as this would be my only truck.
I hear 460s go to 200,000 easy. I would think it has at least 5 years of life left in it.
3) Like I stated, it would be used mostly for a daily driver, but once in awhile would be used for some heavy hauling and towing. Any particular problems with the 460/5 spd combination in that regard (cooling, power, etc.)?
A 1989 F250 4x4 SuperCab with a 460 and manual tranny is HD.
With the 4.10 rear, it is rated for 10,000 lbs.
With the 3.55 rear, it is rated for 6,500 lbs.
Myself, I would prefer the C-6 tranny with the 3.55 rear. But 460 with 4.10 rear will tow anything, whether manual or auto.
4) Any other concerns that I might have overlooked?
IMO, using the same vehicle for towing/etc. and a daily driver. It can be done, but the 4.10 rear it does not like highway speeds. Can go 65MPH but much higher and then then engine starts screaming. Higher RPMs than a higher-geared truck, say with 3.73 or 3.55.
With 30+/day you are looking at a $1,700 annual gas expense. Unless you have to use it as a daily driver, I would use it exclusively for towing and use something else for daily driving (i.e. a small block V8 sedan capable of 22MPG) it will come out cheaper after several years.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 101
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From: USA
460 power and reliability questions
I bought a 88 F-350 4x4 460 and a 5 speed back in 95, the truck had 93,000 mi on it and ran like awesome. I took it to the dealer to get a full service done on it and the teck said that he couldn't believe that I drove the truck in, cause when he took out the plugs, the electroed was burnt back to the curve, nothing over top of the center of the plug at all. The guy I bought it from did heavy haulin and pulled this truck frequently. He also ran alot of Turbo Blue race fuel in it. this would explain the plugs. Anyway, I pulled the truck as well and with 102,000 mi on it, nothing could touch me. No V-10 from Dodge, 454 from Chebby Powerstroke or Cummins. The motor and tranny were all original (clutch too) t-case had been replaced and gone through a rear axle housing, bad wheel bearing, but all in all the truck was great. Got 12 mpg for the most part and ran good until the day I traded it in for a crappy 98 F-150 with a 4.2. Still don't know what I was thinking. Now I hace a 97 F-350 4x4 460 auto and this thing is bad a$$. I love these trucks and these motors. Nothing beats cubic inches.
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Elder User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 526
Likes: 0
From: Spokane WA
460 power and reliability questions
74 F250 4x4, with a 1979 460 block, motorcraft carb., runs like a top, 8 to 1 cc, I don't go normally go over 55MPH. Daily driver.
No problems
No problems
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Senior User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 484
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From: Garden Grove USA
460 power and reliability questions
My '86 F350 was a real mechanical heap when I bought it. Everything needed work, since the previous owner just never took care of anything. I expected the engine and tranny to be in need of help too, but the 460, once tuned up, ran like a champ. I replaced the carb, then the timing gears with a performance set. With 90,000 miles the original timing gears were still very tight. I heard that around 70,000 they need replacing, but these were still very good. The compression was very good and even in all cylinders. I have two broken header bolts on the passenger side, and one on the drivers side, and the new headers still seal. I use this truck to pull a heavy trailer, and never got the problems I expected based on the condition of the rest of the truck when I got it.
I have heard from motor home drivers that they prefer the 460 over the new V-10 too.
The fuel system was a pain though. They are complicated for the novice, and I hade mine completely rebuilt wich was my only reliability issue.
I have heard from motor home drivers that they prefer the 460 over the new V-10 too.
The fuel system was a pain though. They are complicated for the novice, and I hade mine completely rebuilt wich was my only reliability issue.
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