Ford Truck question.?

Question

I am looking at going and buying either an F-250 or an F-350 truck. Kinda wondering (diesel engines are foriegn to me) what is the best size of powerstroke (liter wise) out there. I know Fords always change a thing here or there and seem to change the engine even if it is just fine. Also what year, engine alll that fun stuff would work best with red dyed diesel, if the case ever turns up I have to put some in my tank. I appreciate it all.

Answer 1

even though this isn't ford politically correct i am going to voice my opinion. ford diesels from 83 to 89 were 6.9 liter normally aspirated idi engine, will last 275,000 with few problems, the 7.3 liter from 89-94 was a good engine as long as it isn't turbo charged, if you see one of these with a turbo run for the hills. in late 94 ford released the 7.3 powerstroke, they are a very good and powerfull engine, the best ones are the late 99 to 2003 models, they have very few problems and will run to 300,000 if taken care of. the 6.0 liter engine released in late 2003 is kind of a junker, they are high maintenence and have a lot of injector, turbo, head gasket and egr problems, i would recomend avoiding one of these if it has more then 100,000 miles on it so the engine warranty has expired. the new 6.4 in the 2008 models seems to be a good engine, the engineers did a great job of addressing all of the problem areas on the 6.0 liter engine. red dyed fuel is a no-no, it has no highway tax and most states will give you a fine that will scare you if they catch you running it on the highway, in the midwest they will actually test your fuel at the weigh stations to see. as far as it hurting the engines as long as it is low sulpher content it will not kill the older ones, the 2008 needs to have ultra low sulpher fuel so it doesn't plug the diesel particulate filter in the exhaust system.

Answer 2

Well Over all the 7.3 by all means. But get a round body ford(97 & up). Before 97 the had the sam motor but different electronics so the were not as powerfull. I had a 2001 F-250 that my gradpa bought new, I ran off road fuel in it more than I ran regular diesel just because we own a dump truck company and we have an underground tank we fill our tractors up with so i would just fill up there. I ran it like that for 4 yrs and never had a problem out of it. I finally sold it with right at 340,000 miles on it. My grandpa now ownes a 2005 6.0L f-350 and it Is a great truck also. It has more torque but not as much HP. He also had alot of problems out of it when he first got it. It was in the shop about 6 time within the first to months he bought is. My buddy just bought the new 6.4L f-250 and he likes it. I dont know to much about them because they are so new. If i was going to buy one of the three it would deff. be the 7.3L hands down. They are the longest lasting strongest motor ford has ever built!!!

Answer 3

The latest and greatest is the new 2008 Ford Super Duty with the 6.4L Power Stroke Diesel.

It doesn't work with the red dye farm diesel but any new truck won't take it. You have to use the Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel.

Answer 4

People have mentioned the sizes already. The 7.3,6.0, and the new 6.4L dual turbo diesel that they are putting in now. The 6.4 is by far the quietest diesel that Ford has put in them. Just like any power stroke it will pull like a horse. I like the new ones, just for the new features, and the dual turbo. Good luck and hope you enjoy the truck, whatever you get.

Answer 5

Well for one, you put Offroad Diesel in your tank, you won't be seeing that truck again for a while, its illegal to do this, because you don't have to pay highway tax. So I would NOT reccomend putting dyed fuel in your truck man because you will never put it in to begin with. I think the best "liter wise" diesel engine is a 7.3 Turbo Stroke.

Answer 6

My personal opinion is look for a 7.3 power stroke, it has plenty of power. The 6.0 has had problems. Just my opinion. By the way.... stay away from the offroad diesel!