Ford 6.9 idi vs 7.3 idi vs 7.5L/460

[Jarrett]

I'm looking for experience and opinions. I'm in the market for another truck. I'm wanting an F250 or F350 srw from 1980-1994 with either the 6.9 or 7.3 idi diesel, or 7.5L/460 gasser and manual transmission. I may consider a 460 gasser up to their end in 1997. I don't want a powerstroke. I know they're great, but I've already had one for a short time and I was out of my league with trying to maintain, troubleshoot and repair it. The two idi's appeal to me because of their simplicity and lack on electronics. A buddy has a 7.3 idi and praises of easy it is to work on. I have no experience with a 460. Can anyone with experience with any of these provide some insight into your experince owning, maintaining, and repairing them? Obviously the newer fuel injected versions of the 460 are going to have more electronics, but are they a pain to deal with?

Thanks

 

[deserteagle71]

Of those engines I've owned only the 460 gasser; had two of them in two different pickups, both with 5 speed manual trannies. Both were absolutely trouble free, never had to work on either of them. If there was a downside it was the abysmal fuel mileage...11-12 mpg empty.

But then I also had a 2000 Powerstroke F350 and that engine was trouble-free also. Got a coworker and good friend who owns one of those of the same vintage. Bought new, it is going on 300,000 trouble-free miles for him and he swear he will never get rid of it.

 

[hiddentacocatneddih]

I have 2 1994 f350s with the small block 351

They won't win a drag race but 12ish mpg empty, reliable as can be.

Idk take the small block over the big block any day of the week.

And the price for a power stroke is just way to high for a mediocre engine.

 

[groundcover]

Ran a '94 F350 IDI 7.3 turbo 20 years. Not the crazy power of today's powerstroke but sure was trouble free.

 

[square1]

It's said of the IDIs, they will never get you there first, but they will always get you there. Believe it!

I have a 94 F250, SRW 8FT bed, single cab with the 7.3 turbo. My only dislike is it will get stuck on it's own shadow. That heavy diesel up front makes for poor traction with 2 WD