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SRockwood
San Diego
Senior Member
Joined: 01/31/2007
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My FIL still has the "green monster" 1986 F250 with almost 300k miles on the original C6 and motor. Only routine things like water pump, etc have been done to it.
He had a non-turbo 7.3L before that for a couple of weeks. PO sold it to him with the previously mentioned cracked block and didn't say a word about it. Had to pull a glow plug the first morning he had it to get the water out. Put it right back up for sale, and ate it because he couldn't sell someone a vehicle that way without telling them. May the fleas of a thousand camels infest that man's trousers... 
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DaCarmack
Chandler AZ
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Joined: 06/09/2005
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I say get it, and put a Banks or equivalent kit on it.
I have read the opening up the 460 makes it much more powerful and maybe a little more MPG.
http://www.bankspower.com/products/show/139/46
To me the price looks good from what I have looked at,
and a 460 will be cheaper to work/replace then a diesel from the same vintage.
I don't RV for the fuel mileage
DaCarmack
Rv'less for now 
2005 Honda TRX 400 ATV
1983 Honda 185s ATC
2004 Saturn Ion Redline (can you say sleeper)
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Jarlaxle
New England
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Joined: 11/18/2006
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I watched a 1992 F-350 wind up 305,000 miles as a wheel-lift tow truck...engine internally untouched (one WP, one alternator, but it even had the original A/C compressor), E4OD was rebuilt twice. Considering it led the hard life of a AAA garage truck, that's no surprise.
It was sold in favor of a more capable truck (an International medium-duty), the guy who bought it (transmission shop) is still using it.
Much as I like the 7.3 diesels (I had an F-350 4x4 with a 7.3 turbo), the cavitation IS an issue. That price isn't bad...a couple years ago, I got $3300 for mine, a bare-bones 1992 Custom with 5-speed standard, manual everything, and 366,000 miles (though it did have a Reading utility body). IF the anti-cavitation coolant additive was kept up (like it was in mine), 170K isn't much for a 7.3 IDI...if not, it might already be scrap metal.
John
1984 Ford B-700 school bus conversion, Thomas body...sold!
1992 International Genesis...purchased
Traveling with my wife Liz, 3 nutty cats, one lazy dog
I am so sick of winter it isn't funny...
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SoCalDesertRider
SanDiego, CA, USA
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Joined: 12/14/2003
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Those prices are low for California. If the truck is in good shape, it's a good deal.
05E350 6.0PSD
98Ranger
69Bronco ATC250R CR500
20' BigTex flatbed carhauler
Callen Camper
92F350 CrewCab 4x4 351/C6
LoadNGo service body
B&W TurnoverBall, Curt Magnum V
HD Springs Bilsteins, EnergySuspension
285/75-16E BFG AT on 16x8 Stocktons
4.56's & LockRite rear
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VikingOne
Northern California
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Joined: 04/09/2009
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I have since found a better truck, I think. I'm looking at a 1997 F-350 crew cab, single rear wheels (not a dually), 460 w/ 119,000 miles. Its in excellent condition, I went and drove it last night. Runs very well and has a new tranny as of 5,000 miles ago. He is asking $5300, I offered $4800 and he has accepted. Now I just need to make sure this is a good deal on a good truck with a good engine!
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gar_fanatic
Iowa
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Joined: 03/13/2008
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Yes, that is a good deal on a good truck with a good engine. Just keep in mind that your fuel mileage is going to suck.
My DH had a '94 with a 460 that he beat the wads out of it (mudding, snow drift busting, overheated a few times). Sold it with over 170,000 mi. Engine never had problems and still ran strong when he sold it. Only issues we had were oxygen sensors and master cylinders and a clutch (but the clutch was my fault-had never towed anything with a clutch before.) He sold it to his step-bro who hit a deer with it, which created an electrical short and it burned up on the side of the road.
Enjoy your new truck! 
Me, my DH, my DD (7) and DS (3)
'09 Puma PF295BHSS 33 1/2' Bunk house (Finally-a camper I'm proud of!)
'04 Ford F-350 crew cab 6.0L PowerStroke diesel "the haulin hawg"
Owners of an auto repair shop-Working hard to play hard later
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Engineer9860
Eagle Scout dad
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Joined: 08/10/2003
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LarryJM wrote:VikingOne wrote:OK, how bout a 1994 Ford F350 with the non-Powerstroke 7.3 turbo diesel? (I think they call it "IDI") Almost the same asking price, with a new trans and 170K on the engine. Hows the power and reliability of these motors? Is 170,000 miles alot, or still have plenty of life left in 'er?
I personally would pass on that IDI truck. That IDI engine had a lot of cavitation issues/damage because the block was a 6.9L bored out to 7.3L so the cylinder walls were thinner and maintaining the cavitation protection by owner's was very spotty so while 170K is usually nothing for a diesel engine this is not the case in general for that particular engine.
Larry
I had to sleeve a 1990 F-350 4x4 7.3L IDI engine for some people that I know. They didn't use the coolant additive, and well it was $$$$$.
BTW, that engine had 177,000mi on it when it hydrolocked.
So, yeah unless you know the maintenance history of the IDI engine that you would consider buying, pass on it.
The Queen of the Skies
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loufish
Burbank, CA
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Joined: 11/06/2003
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The 460 is what I believe to be a great B/Block...I transplanted one into my 74' f-100 in the mid 80' and it ran awesome!
For a 1/2 ton truck it was a towing machine...of course 4.11 gears helps!
I highly recomend a "straight up" timing gear be installed on any 460, this advances the cam 4 degs and picks up more low end torque.
"I won't camp next to you, if you don't camp next to me!"
2004 Titan King Cab, 2wd, 5.6L V-8, 5 Speed Auto Trans
Tow Package with killer 3.73 tow gears and TruTrac.
2002 Honda XR650R
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SoCalDesertRider
SanDiego, CA, USA
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Joined: 12/14/2003
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VikingOne wrote:I have since found a better truck, I think. I'm looking at a 1997 F-350 crew cab, single rear wheels (not a dually), 460 w/ 119,000 miles. Its in excellent condition, I went and drove it last night. Runs very well and has a new tranny as of 5,000 miles ago. He is asking $5300, I offered $4800 and he has accepted. Now I just need to make sure this is a good deal on a good truck with a good engine! That's a great truck (provided it is in good condition) and a good price too. Should be a great towing truck for you. A plus if it has the 4.10 axle.
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VikingOne
Northern California
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Joined: 04/09/2009
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I bought the F-350 last Friday night. I towed my boat to the lake on Sunday--- MAN what a difference from the Chevy 350 1/2 ton! Its a really nice truck, everything works great, a/c blows ice cold, doesn't seem to leak anything, and has plenty of grunt for the hills. Tons of room inside. I just hope the 460 was well-maintained and will last at least another 80,000 miles before anything major must be done..... but since I sold my crystal ball, I guess I'll just have to wait and see. 
It'll take a month or two before this truck earns my trust, as would be the case with any used vehicle. I had my Chevy for over 7 years, I knew that sucker up down and sideways. As for fuel gulping from the 460, I didn't buy it for a daily driver--- I bought it to do a job-- pull my camp trailer and my boat. That job will cost some coin at the gas station, I know, but thats ok.
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