Pre-purchase tips on 1985 Ford e250 Okanagan?
Hi all! I've been perusing the information available on this forum for a while, but finally registered to ask for some advice. I'm going to see a 1985 Ford e250 Okanagan that I might want to buy f...
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Personally, I would look for a '97-'03 E350 with the 7.3 Powerstroke diesel. Alot better fuel mileage and alot more power than the 460/7.5 and 351/5.8. The 7.3 is a simple engine without alot of electronics and is very reliable and robust and is well known and well supported by parts suppliers and mechanic shops.
The diesel will also have an overdrive transmission (E4OD), so you can drive at normal freeway speeds of today, rather than 55 mph with a non-overdrive tranmission (C6) from the 70's, 80's and early 90's.
The E4OD isn't one of the best overdrive autos factory stock, but with a good rebuild, better torque converter and valve body work, it can be a very good, reliable transmission.
E350's had rear drum brakes up to '96. Ford put rear disc brakes on them starting with the new body style in '97. Rear discs are way way way better than Ford rear drum brakes. Ford rear drums really really suck bad.
If you really want rear drums, the 7.3 Powerstroke first appeared in vans in '95, so look for a '95 or '96 old body E350 with the 7.3 diesel and rear drum brakes. Having had several Fords with rear drum brakes, I personally don't like them. GM makes fine rear drum brakes. Ford doesn't.
The diesel will also have an overdrive transmission (E4OD), so you can drive at normal freeway speeds of today, rather than 55 mph with a non-overdrive tranmission (C6) from the 70's, 80's and early 90's.
The E4OD isn't one of the best overdrive autos factory stock, but with a good rebuild, better torque converter and valve body work, it can be a very good, reliable transmission.
E350's had rear drum brakes up to '96. Ford put rear disc brakes on them starting with the new body style in '97. Rear discs are way way way better than Ford rear drum brakes. Ford rear drums really really suck bad.
If you really want rear drums, the 7.3 Powerstroke first appeared in vans in '95, so look for a '95 or '96 old body E350 with the 7.3 diesel and rear drum brakes. Having had several Fords with rear drum brakes, I personally don't like them. GM makes fine rear drum brakes. Ford doesn't.
