7.3 vs 460 engine ?'s

What are some of the pros and con's of these 2 motors in a f-350 from the factory? Which would be a better buy? I have seen 2 1994's with the big block and the power stroke motor. Wanting to get reviews, thinking hard about owning one.

I've got a '95 F-350 dually with the 460. It only has about 68,000 miles and I am the second owner. I bought it from a friend in 2000 with 37,000 miles. Besides regular maintenance I haven't had to do anything to the engine. Probably 75% of the miles have been towing a trailer of some sort. It may not have the power of the diesel but if it breaks I can probably fix it myself and an oil change only costs about 25-30$.

If your gonna pull a bigger enclosed type trailer its 7.3 hands down......you can argue it all you want but it is what it is.

richter69 wrote:If your gonna pull a bigger enclosed type trailer its 7.3 hands down......you can argue it all you want but it is what it is.

If you tow ALOT and a BIG trailer yes the diesel is a good investment...... but the cost and maintence of the diesels for occational towing or stuff under 10k just isn't a good value IMO.

I had a 93 F-350 CC with the non-turbo IDI 7.3. Never again. No power.

As posted above, if you pull a heavy load (say over 12K pounds) I would say the 7.3 Power Stroke would be a better choice.

I personally will never buy a diesel again.

94 can be either IDI or DI, DI will be std trans only.

Id pick a 460 over an IDI lol.

7.3 has the turbo. I was thinking the 460 would be easier as far as cost, but correct me if I am wrong didn't the early 7.3 have steel rods and was built solid? It looks like there isn't much to work on comparing to the new power strokes. I don't plan on hauling lots of weight. Just my car and trailer, or dead animals when hunting season comes around. I do like the bigger truck for the family. I am looking at the f150s around the same years but I only like them in a short bed reg cab. I had a 92 4x4 with the 5.0 that thing was a beast to the end.

it can be an IDI turbo......you still dont want lol.

I loved my IDI turbo. IDI w/ add on turbo is about 50 more horsepower than an early PSD fwiw.
just have to like replacing return lines and "hats". once thats all new the fuel economy and the startups are much nicer.

The old Diesels are fine and much easier to work on. But they are not Fast and your not going to tow at light speed like the newer stuff, but they get-r-done. Just need to let then grind and don't expect them to rotate the earth.

Tennessee Bullitt wrote:7.3 has the turbo. I was thinking the 460 would be easier as far as cost, but correct me if I am wrong didn't the early 7.3 have steel rods and was built solid? It looks like there isn't much to work on comparing to the new power strokes. I don't plan on hauling lots of weight. Just my car and trailer, or dead animals when hunting season comes around. I do like the bigger truck for the family. I am looking at the f150s around the same years but I only like them in a short bed reg cab. I had a 92 4x4 with the 5.0 that thing was a beast to the end.

Last year I towed my 3400 lb racecar on a 16ft trailer. (5000 # total) with my '95 F-150 2wd and the 302 had plenty of power.
However, the weak link with that 1/2 ton is the auto overdrive. (it is not the E4OD).
I felt I was pushing my luck with that trans, but since my 84 CC 460 was down waiting for a new engine , I had no choice but to use the F-150.

The best compromise would be a F-250 gas rig, and if you get one with an auto, then get one with the E4OD. (that trans came with the 5.8 and maybe the 5.0 4x4...not sure)

The AODE is accualy the better transmission. I have several miles towing my race car ,tractors ,sod mowers, and customes vehicles with my 2000 F-150 4x4 extended cab 5.4 4R70w (Aode pretty much the same transmission) 230,000 mile same trans and motor that it came with the day I bought it new in october 2000.

My 2000 7.3 that I sold last may had the trans built three times since it was new. once buy the previes owner and twice buy me and it had 226,000 miles and was used and abused less than my F-150.

I have a 2003 7.3 f250 with only 100,000 miles that I have allready put shift solenoids in and will soon be needing a rebuild.

E4/4r can be an awesome tranny, you just have to address certain areas lol.

richter69 wrote:E4/4r can be an awesome tranny, you just have to address certain areas lol.

You would be most correct sir! I would not want to put a smaller trans in the diesel LOL!

you get ready to go through it call me, I can tell you what to do to make it live and perform well............

Get the 460 and build it like Lem's and be done with it

richter69 wrote:you get ready to go through it call me, I can tell you what to do to make it live and perform well............

Will do! Thanks

Tennessee Bullitt wrote:What are some of the pros and con's of these 2 motors in a f-350 from the factory? Which would be a better buy? I have seen 2 1994's with the big block and the power stroke motor. Wanting to get reviews, thinking hard about owning one.

Hey Bud didn't mean to jack your thread! Both would be a good tow vehicle. Question is fuel mileage versus oil change spark plugs and wires dist cap versus glow plugs and wiring harness! How much you drive it makes a difference? You get the point! It Is what it is !

I've never towed with a 460,......but I have owned a (practically new w/ only 7k miles) 1/2 ton, 2003 5.4 supercharged crew cab Harley (basicly a 4dr Gen 2 Lightning), a 95 Powerstroke, and my current ride a 97 Powerstroke.

I thought the Harley did a fine job towing, until I bought the 95 Stroke. Even though the Harley had a lot more hp,...and about equal amounts of tq., the Powerstoke did a much better job. I atribute this to the motor making power at a more usable RPM. The 95 was basicly stock, with just a down-pipe and a Tymar cold-air intake.

Now,....
My 97 has 306,000 on it (never rebuilt) and and it has a few mods. Stage one injectors, Adrenaline HPOP, Total Diesel Performance chip, tranny rubiuld @ 285k w/ good V/B, 4" exhaust and etc.....

Let me tell ya,......the 97 is a fricken pulling machine. It damn near feels like it's going to rip the tongue right off the trailer.

It has simply sold me. I won't have anything else BUT a diesel, when it comes to towing. Hell,....I like diesels so much, that I bought my wife a VW Jetta TDI (diesel) and I have to say, it's one of the best cars I've ever owned (40/48mpg doesn't hurt)


As far as Allen's comment on never owning a diesel again,......
that my freind would be a mistake. If they're not turbo'd,....they're a turd. If you ever lived in a mountain type region, you would soon see the limits of a gasser,.....both in terms of power and longevity.

Copperhead wrote:....
As far as Allen's comment on never owning a diesel again,......
that my freind would be a mistake. If they're not turbo'd,....they're a turd. If you ever lived in a mountain type region, you would soon see the limits of a gasser,.....both in terms of power and longevity.

Dennis:
I have no doubt the PS is great to drive, and you are probably right....if I drove a PS I might not want to go back to a gasser.

I was referring to the 86-93 6.9 and 7.3 when I said I wouldn't own another.

I personally find the 460 a better fit for me since I tow less than 10,000 lbs for less than 2,500 miles per year.

I believe I am gonna go with the 460. Easy to deal with and like Res0rli9 said look what Lem was able to do. The thing is looking for a f150 all you find is a truck with lots and lots of miles. There is a nice f350 out by Lem thats only a 2wd and it only has 98,000 miles. Good looking truck. I also came across a 78 f150 with a 429 in it, so the add said. I will keep looking and see what I can find. Thanks guys.