So, I have recently picked up this girl. It has a 460 which will "go away". Dana 44 coil front axle, 3.54 gears. I am contemplating one of a couple of repowering options. I LOVE 300/six engines...I have two trucks here with them (1980 F250 and a 1986 F150) I will be putting one in a 1984 Florida Bronco as well. I am TIRED of the computer, check engine light, garbage. I perfer carbureted. My F250 has a new Oppenheimer intake and Edlebrock four barrel . I don't need to go fast.....I just like to GO. I know my mileage will not be stellar and power at highway speed limited...but honestly looking for anyone who has ever driven one of these "wind socks" in an E250/350 configuration on the highway with a 300/six. Old timers tell me of panel vans running around back "in the day".
The other repower option is a 7.3 IDI I have a one owner 150k 1993 IDI out of an extended cab, or one out of a donor van I am aquiring, same year, same interior, better body (may swap bodies).
With the cost of gas being substantially less and availability better. Additionally, if I ever had an issue on the road with 300 six, I could darn near take the dog box out and climb in to do the work. The quiet sound of that ole six would make me smile. The diesel noise could potentially get old. I do own a 2002 7.3 diesel four door, 4x4 chassis cab, so I know the noise well. To be sitting right beside that diesel for hours/days worries me. Also, cold starts I'm remote areas. Yeah, yeah, I know keep injectors new and glow plugs fresh....but still...I have slept at -22 air temp before.
Trans options are E4OD, and ZF5. I have the cast old four speeds laying around...too low gearing. I also have a 1997 f350 PSD 7.3 (zf5 donor) .....that running gear may end up on another build.
Input welcome.
at 85 mph my economy dropped to 16 mpg, but at 60 mph it’d use much less. Much of the time I was running WOT or close to it and still got 16 mpg in a 9500 lb brick.