Hi Scotty, I have an 86 F250 standard cab long bed with a 351 HO, T-18 4spd, Sterling 10.25 rear with 4.10 gears. Have you had any experience with this powertrain combination in the past and what's your opinion on it as a truck and a tow vehicle? Would you recommend a 300 I-6 as a better engine?
What is your mileage and what do intend on using it for?
This is a good Ford truck. 4 speed transmissions today are not good for towing today. The 300 I6 is also a good engine but it's not powerful enough for towing today.
I would not tow with this everyday because it's a mere 36 year old truck and you also didn't mention the condition of this vehicle beyond mileage-if it's rusting out or not.
It says 42k miles on it, but it has a 5 digit odometer, so I'm thinking it's 142k. It runs decent, the engine feels strong and doesn't smoke. It has oil pan, valve cover and timing cover gaskets leaking but I'll be replacing them to seal the leaks. The body for the most part is solid with the only rust being in the floor pans which I have new pans. I will be using it for hauling a small landscape trailer to haul my zero turn mower in the grass cutting season an on occasion hauling a triaxle car trailer with a car or truck. I have a car for every day driving so the truck will only be used occasionally
From the looks of it then the truck has a lot of life left in it.