Ford F-350 Diesel Truck Profile and Cylinder Heads

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The Ford F-350 diesel truck has a storied history within this market segment, offering a reliable vehicle for commercial drivers across the United States. Diesel engines have both pros and cons when compared to regular engines. You will want to compare engines before buying this type of vehicle for the first time. Keep reading to discover the history of the Ford F-350 and some of the common issues that are experienced with this type of truck.

 

Ford F-350 Diesel Truck History

The history of the Ford F-350 can be traced back to the late 1990s, when Ford first introduced their series of heavy-duty pickup trucks. While the company started with the Ford F-150, they soon expanded their offerings to add the F-250 and F-350. These vehicles are a variant of the F-Series from Ford, and the more recent F-450 is the largest pickup truck offered within North America. The F-350 was designed as a dedicated heavy-duty truck, helping the company to enter a new market segment.

 

Ford F-350 Diesel Engine Specs and Details

When looking into the Ford F-350, you’ll often hear the term Powerstroke used. This term is a name that’s given for the diesel engines produced by Ford since the year 1994. The engine is found in many of their best-selling trucks. The engines are electrically controlled and also turbocharged. The Powerstroke V8 engine is used within these vehicles, and it’s one of the things that truly sets the vehicle apart from other trucks on the market today.

 

Pros and Cons of a Diesel Engine

Diesel engines have both benefits and drawbacks. You will want to think carefully about whether a diesel engine is the right choice for you. Typically, diesel engines are more fuel efficient and require less maintenance over the years. Consequently, trucks with diesel engines enjoy a slower depreciation rate, which is why they are often preferred by truck drivers. However, diesel fuel is typically more expensive than gasoline. And not all gas stations offer diesel fuel as a fueling option. You’ll find that if you do need engine repairs, diesel mechanics often charge more for this work. Finally, diesel engines are known to produce more noise, which can make driving a truck like the F-350 less comfortable.

 

Towing Capacity and MPG of the Ford F-350

The 2022 Ford F-350 offers 15 mpg when it was tested in the real world. It has been praised for its excellent fuel economy, as well as other features that help to keep drivers safe on the road. The conventional towing capacity of the vehicle comes in at an impressive 21,000 lbs., but this can be increased up to a maximum load of 32,000 lbs. This capacity makes it one of the best in class for this type of vehicle, which is why the sales figures are still excellent for the Ford F-350 year after year.

 

How Much Do New and Used F-350 Trucks Cost in the U.S.?

Within the U.S., you’ll find it’s easy to buy both new and used Ford F-350 trucks. The 2022 model started at $41,355, offering you a 6.2-liter V8 with 385 hp. Of course, you can upgrade the vehicle to fit your needs, improving the engine to increase the HP and torque. Used vehicles will naturally depend on the model year and the condition of the vehicle. You’ll find some in the low $20,000 range, increasing to closer to the new vehicle price when the truck comes with engine and vehicle upgrades.

 

How Long Do F-350 Trucks Last?

One of the top advantages of diesel engines is the many years of use you can get out of them. Ford F-350 trucks usually can go for a minimum of 200,000 miles. You’ll easily find this can be extended when you take good care of the vehicle. In fact, it’s been reported that vehicles are still on the road after doing up to 800,000 miles, thanks to the durability of the vehicle and engine. The Powerstroke engine will typically last 500,000 miles when it’s cared for properly.

 

Common Problems with Ford F-350 Diesel Trucks and Cylinder Heads

As you can no doubt tell so far, the Ford F-350 diesel truck is a very reliable vehicle, but you’ll still want to make yourself aware of some of the most common issues with this truck. The most common problem that’s reported with this vehicle is usually called the ‘Death Wobble,’ and it’s particularly prominent within the 2017 and 2019 vehicles. This issue is when the vehicle starts to shake to the extent that it’s impossible to control.

Another problem that’s often noted is with the engine head, where spark plugs begin to eject. You may find the engine misfires or there’s a strange tapping noise, which is caused by the thread on the vehicle’s cylinder head being very soft and short. While not as common, other issues you may experience include the turbo hose blowing off, air bag failure, and drive shaft fractures.

 

How Much Does It Cost To Replace Cylinder Heads in a Ford F350?

If you do experience issues with your Ford truck’s cylinder head, then you might be wondering how much this will cost to replace. To learn more about this process, check out this video. The average cost of this replacement in the Ford F-350 is between $3,719 and $4,114. This cost includes both the parts and labor costs. Of course, you may want to tackle this task yourself, helping to save you up to $1,600 in labor costs.

The Ford F-350 is one of the most reliable trucks on the market to this date. And it’s unlikely to decrease in popularity anytime soon especially within the commercial / trades market. By making yourself aware of the common issues with this truck, you can work to maintain your truck to the highest standards. Clearwater Cylinder Head wishes you years of safe use from your new or used Ford F-350.

 

Browse Ford F-350 Cylinder Heads Sold by Clearwater Cylinder Head

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About Clearwater Cylinder Head

If you are a Ford F-350 truck driver and need to buy new or refurbished cylinder heads, then we encourage you to call us at 800-572-1963 so we can help you select the correct head for your F350. You can see some of our Google reviews at https://www.cylinder-heads.com/reviews/ and some of our eBay reviews at https://www.cylinder-heads.com/about-us/ebay-reviews/. We look forward to helping you with new or refurbished F350 cylinder heads. The casting number on your diesel engine or cylinder head will help us determine the compatible head(s) for your specific F350 truck.