Ford 6.9 question

[BV]

Okay so the shopping for a reasonably priced Ram/Cummins has not been working out but I did run across a descent looking (picture that is) 87 f250 SC 4x4 with 6. 9 4sp and was curious if anyone thought that it might have a little life left in it - Current mileage was 93k but the dealer could not tell me if it was 93, 193 or higher.



So what do you folks think?



EDIT : Is there anyone in Puyallup, WA who would stoop low enough to go check it out for me?

 

[drees1]

I had an '83 SC 4x4 6. 9. Bought it at 50,000 miles sold it to my friend at 150,000 miles and now has 250,000 on it. They do not have any where near the power or grunt of the Dodge. But I got 17 - 18 mpg all the time hi way or combined. And for that in a big 4x4, the diesel made it worth it. The cheap Stanadyne distributer pump needs replaced every 80,000 or so. Mine had a cracked block between freeze plugs, a common problem, but not a show stopper. An '87 should not have that problem. I had 3. 73 gears and it revs out on the hiway. I put in a 4 speed auxillary behind my 4 speed to get overdrive. If it is decent, should be a good truck for $2,500 - $3000 tops. PM me if you want more info.



Doug Rees

 

[merryman]

My Ford 6. 9 did fine---right up to 86K miles. Between 86K and 135K when I gave up and went to my first Dodge, my repair bills exceeded $8,000. :>(

Ya. , there were a couple things on it that did not go south during that time, but I am hard pressed to think of them now. It was kind of amazing. I had had few problems with the truck up till 86K and then as soon as I fixed one thing another broke!! At 135K, and over $8,000. I said enough!!!

Vaughn

 

[bmoeller]

I bought my '86 F-250 with a 150hp. high altitude diesel with 113k and now has 141k. Mine has 3. 55 gears and gets between 13-15mpg.



I have had some trouble with the truck. I have had to replace the C-6 and t/c at 129k, head gaskets/head bolts and fuel supply pump at 132k(leaking LOTS of oil), 1 set of glow plugs, glow plug controller, fuel heater, locking hubs, brake booster. To top it off it still needs a master cylinder and fuel injection pump.



I think a lot of the things that were replaced had to do with fact that it sat still quite a while before I bought it, but I still like driving it.

 

[R.ebel]

6.9

My old 87 6. 9 was definitely underpowered compared to a stock Dodge/Cummins. They also smoke a lot due to being non-turbo-ed. I had the weeping block between the freeze plugs. At 86,000 miles the injection pump went out. At 127,000 miles I started getting oil in the coolant... both heads had developed cracks which is real common in these engines. Good heads are real scarce. I finally dropped in a Dealers Diesel reman and drove it for a couple of years before selling it. Bought my Cummins and now wonder why I kept the Ford for so long

 

[Scot]

My first one cracked through a freeze plug where the block heater was. 1500 watt heater <1/4" from the sidewall of the cast iron block. That engine had 180K on it when I bought it.



The second, a Navistar Reman engine developed cavitation erosion at about 70K miles because I did not run the additive in the coolant.



Mileage was almost double what the 390 would do but it had nowhere near the HP or torque. Previous posts are correct about 80K life of injector pump.