Got my eye on a Vintage F350 SWR

I have both '92 and '97 F350's. If you're going for the '87-'97 body trucks, the '94-'97 are the best.

The Powerstroke diesel ('94.5-'97) has alot more power than the 6.9 and 7.3 IDI diesels, turbo'd or not. The EFI 460 in the '94-'97 trucks put out more power than previous years. The factory tow package wiring option in the '94-'97 trucks is a very good feature.

The later years of the E4OD tranny were better than the earlier year E4OD's. Though the earlier C6 is a better tranny than the E40D, the C6 lacks an overdrive gear. This can be annoying, if you like to drive on the freeway, at todays high speeds.

In the '95-'97 years, Ford offered the F250 with a crew cab and short bed, with the 460 or Powerstroke diesel and E4OD tranny. This was the first time had Ford made the crew cab and short bed combination, since '79.

jerem0621 wrote:

whsk wrote:
I have seen the exhaust manifolds on my old 460 glowing red on a summer night after a hard pull!-that is one tough engine!-whsk

Wow! That's impressive! How do prevent that from happening? More cooling capacity, more hp and tq?

Thanks!

Jeremiah

No need to, it's normal after a hard pull. Seen it on several different engines, including two 460's.

bmanning wrote:
Jeremiah I think you share my talent for changing the mind, LOL.

I thought after you sold the V10 dually you were thinking of going back to a half-ton...

Change of heart?

Yup, I am the master of changing my mind!!!!

I didn't really need a dually, would rather have something SWR. DW was intimidated to drive the dually, but honestly, I just didn't like it.

We tried to get out of camping, sold the truck and the camper, did some much needed renovations on the house, now I am ready to get camping again.

I will probably end up with a 3/4 ton something extended cab 4x4 or a Crew Cab short bed.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

Jeremiah I think you share my talent for changing the mind, LOL.

I thought after you sold the V10 dually you were thinking of going back to a half-ton...

Change of heart?

bmanning wrote:


On subject, OP any updates? Are you buying the 79 or taking a pass?

Thanks everyone for the feedback and discussion! I have ruled out the fly out and drive back deal. I have many many experienced with "It runs great" statements turning into "It runs great as long as you hold this gas can over the carb with this fuel line. Lol.

I got a few quotes on shipping and from California to Tennessee they are between 1400 to 2000 ish door to door.

For that plus the purchase price I am finding some nice late 80's early 90's f250/350's with 460's and idi diesels. I really want a dent side but availability may kill this dream shortly. :(

Thanks!

Jeremiah

I didn't think the emissions stuff got bad until the 80's...but I'm not a Ford guy.

They are a nice truck to work on and all but to say it has gobs of power or lots of power is a WAY overstatement.

Those smog engines came out with around 200 HP. By todays standards that would be laughed at. Even most if not all of todays V6's laugh at that figure.

That being said, there is a lot of potential for some good power and torque with some engine work on a 460. :)

We used Dependable Auto Shippers to ship two cars when we moved from NY to KY, they were reasonable and reliable. Most discount/independent guys will wait until they have a full load going and then may hand off your vehicle to one or more subcontractors to get it to the destination. We were impressed with the service and they they do door-to-door pickup and delivery. IIRC, it was $750 to ship a Grand Prix from NY to KY.

Be careful about the fly-out drive back option depending on what kind of the old gal is in it may be an interesting trip back....I would be more comfortable shipping it but then you don't get to see it until it's already yours.

Agree on the 460 though....that was Ford's big block workhorse just like GM's 454. Most Class A's of that vintage had either a 454 or 460. Easy to work on, gobs of power, and lots of aftermarket parts still out there. As I say with my 8.1, "It will pass anything but a gas station."

SoCalDesertRider wrote:
It will be a very looooong drive in that truck from CA to TN, but it can certainly be done. Likely cheaper to ship it, since gas will cost a fortune at 10 mpg, or less.

Maybe you can be a customer on the 'Shipping Wars' TV show (on A&E, I think). :)

LOL

Anyone catch last week's new episode? Jared had a borrowed first-generation Tundra from a friend (IIRC 6500lb tow capacity) and was hauling a huge popcorn ball that allegedly weight 6500lb itself. Once that bad boy was on the trailer he was well over the Tundra's rating.

I enjoy that show but have serious doubts about its authenticity...

On subject, OP any updates? Are you buying the 79 or taking a pass?

Jarlaxle wrote:

jerem0621 wrote:
Thanks for the feedback everyone.

The truck is actually in California and I am in Tennessee. Needless to say, if I buy it I will have to have it shipped. Does anyone have any suggestions on a reputable shipping company?

I googled it and got a ton of spammy looking links.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

I would go out & drive it back!

Depending on the end points about 2,200 miles +/- 10 mpg (decent running 460)220 gal @ 3.50 gal = $770 gas cost to drive.