[Mertz]

I am thinking about getting a different truck to pull my trailer. I am looking at a 97 F250 with 460 that I believe has a torque rating of 360 to 385 at 2200 rpm which would be great for what I want. If I go Chevy with a 454 what is the torque rating at what rpm? I would be looking for something around the same year as the Ford. Which would be the better motor?

[cobalt327]

Personally, I believe the '96-up Gen 6 BBC is the better engine.

[mud bros]

what is the size and weight of your trailer?

unless your George bush its going to cost a bundle in fuel why not a diesel?

im a ford fan myself but you cant beat a dodge ctd diesel for torque and mpg's when towing a big load.

[Mertz]

I have been looking for a diesel but they are hard to find in the model and body style I want so I opened my search to the 7.3l diesel AND the big block. The diesel has more torque but the 460 should pull my 6000lb trailer without problem. Just expanding my options.

[327NUT]

The 460 is a MAJOR GAS HOG!!!! get the diesel for pulling....believe me. My '02 F-250 4X4 is not that diesel friendly either, I get right at 15 mpg pulling my horse trailer or 24 ft. triple pontoon boat on the flats out here. I can just about guarantee that a 460 would get 8-10.

[cobalt327]

Originally Posted by cobalt327

Personally, I believe the '96-up Gen 6 BBC is the better engine.

Neither valve train is adjustable, but the Gen 6 is a roller cam and lifters. For that alone I'd go w/the BBC- engine. But there's a lot more to it than only the engine. What Ford offers in other areas may offset this advantage, depending on exactly what it is that's needed from the truck.

[mud bros]

Originally Posted by Mertz

I have been looking for a diesel but they are hard to find in the model and body style I want so I opened my search to the 7.3l diesel AND the big block. The diesel has more torque but the 460 should pull my 6000lb trailer without problem. Just expanding my options.

if its just a 6000# trailer a 351w or 350 chev with some exhaust work will do you fine.

the 351 makes 210hp 310tq with a bit of massaging this little engine would match the 460 in peak numbers but the big block would make it over a wider rpm range.

you really wont need a 460 untill you step it up to 10 000lbs even in your mountain soaked state.


i dont tow all the time but my old 1980 f250 with a 94 351w fi engine has no issues pulling a 6000lbs over 60mph uphill

[CJ_1080]

My 1996 Chevy k2500 handles my pulling tractor and gooseneck very well. It had for years until it spit out a rod bearing last year over 300,000. The trailer and tractor 8000 or more depending how the tractor was weighted for pulls. Most towing was admittedly fairly Flat towing. But for 6000......no sweat. The truck got 14-15 hwy and towing the tractor got around 10. Just my opinion but a big block would be overkill. Nothing wrong with overkill....but just may not be necessary!

[Mertz]

I have done everything I know and can do to my 350 and it can't pull the trailer up the hills very well. On the flat it is fine. I have not changed heads or cam but it has a finely tuned qjet, MSD ignition, ceramic headers. performer intake, free flowing exhaust and timed as good as possible. The plugs show it is running great.

I intend to put it on the dyno to see if there is something I am missing. Meanwhile I think I have found a nice 95 F250 with a powerstroke for a good price. 425 ftlbs of torque at 2000 and close to 300hp.

[Valkyrie5.7]

What kind of gearing on your current vehicle with the 350? Transmission/ Rearend ratio plays a large role

[Mertz]

4.10 rear with a turbo 350 auto and 31" tires. I changed from the 32" to the 31" to help the gearing.

[CJ_1080]

Then the engine isn't right! 4.10's that thing should have more than adequate power to drag 6000 pounds! What are the specs on the engine? Stock?

[sbchevfreak]

If you are dead set on a different truck, you will not be disappointed with the 7.3 DIT diesel. Stump pulling torque in factory trim, and minor mods can net HUGE increases. simple stuff like exhaust and a chip, if you want to go wilder, step up to propane injection. My tech instructor had a 97 F350 4X4 SRW truck, with a 5 spd. We built a propane injection system out of salvaged CNG fuel system parts, a BBQ regulator, and a small RV propane cylinder (road legal). Hooked it to an adjustable pressure switch, tee'd into the boost line, set to about 8 psi activation. Once you built 8 psi boost, the switch would close, and trigger the propane through a relay and an electric valve and fog propane in the top of the air filter housing. When active, this huge, heavy truck would EAT SVT mustangs from light to light.

One warning, though, propane is a runaway fuel, so put a positive air shutoff downstream from the injector nozzles, so if it leaks or takes off you will be able to kill it.