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Tool Talk Discussion Forum

Gas vs Diesel Ford

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Howard H.

09-16-2003 19:36:46




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Hi Ya'll,

I've got a '94 Ford F-250 with a 351 gas engine.

I pull a heavy 25' triple axle trailer and with a tractor on, I don't really have enough power and don't get very good gas mileage - about 8 mpg or so.

The local dealer has a '92 F-250 for sale with a 7.3 litre diesel. I've never run a diesel, so I don't know what to expect...

Both pickups are pretty high mileage - about 160,000 or so.

Would a 7.3 diesel be much better than a 351 v8 gas for power and economy??

Thanks for any insights,
Howard H.
Stratford, TX

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Mark

09-21-2003 13:56:00




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 Re: Gas vs Diesel Ford in reply to Howard H., 09-16-2003 19:36:46  
Well, I used to own a 81 Ford with a hopped up 300 six. The torque output on it was about the same as a stock 351W. Mileage was about 10 most of the time, and lower towing. I recently switched to a 86 F250 6.9 diesel. It's amazing how much different a change of engine changes the character of these trucks. Now, my truck has an aftermarket turbo on it. I can say this thing will tow a house now. It's actually faster than the old 300 six. I get around 20mpg most of the time. I know of a lot of people that go from gas to diesel trucks, but I don't know many that go back. So there's some more info for you. If you do buy a non-turbo truck, make sure and spend an extra $1000 and get a turbo system. And check out www.thedieselstop.com. A good bunch over there.

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Bill 52 8n

09-18-2003 12:58:15




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 Re: Gas vs Diesel Ford in reply to Howard H., 09-16-2003 19:36:46  
As T-Bone said, a '92 won't have a turbo. We have a '91 F250 and although it beats the pants off our old truck with a 351, there are many times i wish it had a turbo. Need a 94 or newer to get a power stroke.

Bill



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Mike M

09-18-2003 11:19:40




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 Re: Gas vs Diesel Ford in reply to Howard H., 09-16-2003 19:36:46  
All things else equal a 460 gas is way better on power and a little better on gas loaded than a 351 I found this out by switching out our 351 to a 460 in an 1981 F350.



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T_Bone

09-18-2003 07:07:40




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 Re: Gas vs Diesel Ford in reply to Howard H., 09-16-2003 19:36:46  
Hi Howard,

I have 02 F350 DRW 6x6 PSD. Great truck and engine. Empty I get 19.2mpg and pulling 16k GCW, 13.86mpg on my last trip. From the RV internet reports, I get more mpg than the average PSD. My 7.3 has 275HP and 520ft/lbs of torque.

A 92 is about 185hp and 420ft/lbs torque, I think?

As it was pointed out, any PSD and other diesel engines before 2002 needs SCA additive each year. From 2002 and newer, SCA is added in the anti-freeze and will last 150k miles or the life of the coolant.

A 92 diesel is a IDI mechanical injected engine with out turbo. 94 Ford changed to a DI turbo charged engine with puter control injection.

T_Bone

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Glenn-WV

09-18-2003 06:22:48




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 Re: Gas vs Diesel Ford in reply to Howard H., 09-16-2003 19:36:46  
Yes, the diesel will beat the pants off the 351 for fuel economy and raw towing power. A friend of mine had a '94 F-250, 140,000 miles, with the 351 and the best he got when pulling a 10,000# trailer was about 8 mpg. He traded it for a 2001 F-350 7.3 dually with 90,000 miles and he now gets 17mpg pulling the same trailer at 70mph; if he keeps it at 60mph, he can get 19 mpg. The 351 seems to be overtaxed pulling that kind of weight. It would run at 3000-3500 rpm while pulling, although he never had an engine problem with it. The 351 tends to be a thirsty engine.

As Jack said, make sure that you check the coolant for the anti-cavitation additive before you buy the truck. You can get a test kit from an International truck dealer(they don't cost a lot). I'd think a Ford dealer could order one. If the coolant doesn't have the additive, stay away from the truck.

If you are really serious about it, you might even consider having an oil sample analyzed.

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Duane

09-17-2003 21:35:13




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 Re: Gas vs Diesel Ford in reply to Howard H., 09-16-2003 19:36:46  
Howdy, Howard

I don't live too far from you. Up here in Conroe, Texas.
I have a 92 Ford Diesel with over 250K miles on it and I still use it to pull. I had gas before this and switch to diesel and now I won't go back.
Once you use diesel, you'll wonder why you did't switch earlier.
They are great pulling trucks and I have been to Montana pulling in the mountains several times.
I pull a three horse trailor and a 25ft flat bed with my tractors.

We had such good luck with this truck that my wife decided to buy a 99 crew cab with the power stroke. Now here truck can fly. You don't know you're pulling with hers.

Are you going to the Temple tractor show on Oct. 4th???
Maybe I'll see you there.
Duane

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Jack

09-17-2003 07:00:25




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 Re: Gas vs Diesel Ford in reply to Howard H., 09-16-2003 19:36:46  
Check the coolant for dca use other wise you can have an engine build in the very near future if it was not used(cavitation),Other wise great engine with power.



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gatractorman

09-17-2003 02:37:16




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 Re: Gas vs Diesel Ford in reply to Howard H., 09-16-2003 19:36:46  
You should be better off with the diesel on both accounts, pulling power and fuel economy, the diesel probably has less horsepower but more torque which is what your interested in for pulling, if the diesel truck already has a hitch on it ask the dealer if you can try it out with your trailer.



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BillD

09-17-2003 15:15:52




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 Re: Re: Gas vs Diesel Ford in reply to gatractorman, 09-17-2003 02:37:16  
I had a 89 7.3 250 PU and it was a stump puller in low range Was a very good truck fuel consumption pulling a 25 foot goose neck was about 10 to 12 MPG only problem I had was with the brakes and brake master cylinder



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