I thought about buying me a 1986 Ford F-350 Dually as a project.I've always been attracted to this body style and I want to have one myself as a daily driver and a tow vehicle.I'm not much on diesel engines,so I think that I want to go with a 429.Possibly a high torque monster with a hot set of heads.You know..some good horsepower and torque for towing purposes.I am going to be attending Wyotech next year and I'll probably drive it up there pulling a U-Haul trailer.I know that it's going to guzzle the gas,but that really doesn't matter to me.Wyotech's location in Laramie,Wyoming is 1,200 miles away and I want it to be dependable enough to make the run.Plus I'll be traveling back and forth often to see my folks.I also want to hook it to a 6 speed transmission.I've never owned a 6 speed,but I got to throw a 6 speed stick in a Corvette one time and it was a blast!So,I want to go with that.I just want a good dependable,long lasting,excellent towing F-350.It will basically turn into a restore project,I know..But that's cool with me.Any advice or anything else is welcome.I think that it will be a fun little beast.What do you guys think?

Jacob

 

I wouldn't worry about hunting for a 429, since if you don't get a diesel, then you will probably find most of them have 460's, which is almost the same motor as the 429.

 

My dad has a newer 460 in a E-350 27 ft motor home and it moves down the road towing a 28 ft inclosed heavily loaded car hauler with no problems with the load distributing hitch. Steap grades arent even a problem for it. but he gets about 6 - 8 mpg towing and about 10 with out the trailer. But if you arent worried about gas guzzling then its they way to go.

I paid 300 for my 85 f-150 a year ago and have put about 20,000 miles on with usual maintanace only. I have the 300ci 6 with the 4 spd od trans in it and i only get about 15 highway and 12 city. Drove it from Michigan to oklahoma last june. Only problem i had was that i broke a rear leaf spring shackle once i got into missouri. Other than that gas was al i had to put in it. i also took it to texas and back recently to get my wifes car.
i want to put a bigger motor into mine but i cant afford the tires if i do
Ben