re: 6.4 powerstroke

Walk don't run from a 6.4. 7.3, 6.0 with proper additions to bulletproof it (head studs, egr delete), or the new 6.7.

Mid-1994–Mid-2003 7.3 L International - Pre emissions - Turbo with waste-gate. Pretty much bullet proof.

Mid-2003–2007 6.0 L International - first with emissions - VGT (variable geometry turbo) - Ford upped the power beyond what international designed the engine for leading to some head gasket failures, finicky injectors, bad oil cooler / egr cooler designs. (I had one, babied it and made it to 131,000 before trading on a 17.) This motor ended the relationship with Ford.

2008–2010 6.4 L International - Second with emissions, not much better with that stuff, twin turbo - lots of issues. I believe the first with the DPF. Never met anyone with one that was happy. I met way more 6.0 owners that were happy than 6.4, so that should tell you something. International's last ford engine.

2011–present 6.7 L 100% Ford Much better and seems to be the most reliable stock other than the 7.3. I believe 2011 had ceramic bearings in the turbo that were changed to steel due to issues in later years (not 100% sure what year). There were a few other changes too.

If you want a good place to read up on the issues of each www.ford-trucks.com and check out their forums. Be warned though, the info is a little skewed because who posts on a forum when their truck is perfectly fine!