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$.

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.

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.

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.

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!