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Ford Super Duty 7.3L International.... GOOD BYE
Can't argue with that, but you'll most likely pay more than 2 grand for a good one.
Aside from trying to start WWIII, LOL, I'll give you what I know on Blue Oval as that is the one I know best.
First, I hate to burst your bubble, but I just don't see how you are going to get anything but a bunch of trouble for under 2 grand. Everything I've seen is pretty "goobered up" in that price range. If you are lucky enough, stay under the 1996 model year as these will be equipped with the tried and true 5.0 to 7.5 litre (302-351-460) gas engines. I won't get into the diesel here because if you don't know how to work on one, it will cost you more than you want to pay (for the whole truck) to fix it.
Prior to '95, the engine will be controlled by the OBD-I management system. Computer controls are not difficult to learn whether they be OBD-I or OBD-II. Good scan tools are not that expensive. Don't let that oversized intake plenum on the SB intimidate you nor sequential multi-port fuel injection. It is FAR superior to TBI and contrary to what some would have you beleive, (IMHO), more trouble free and cheaper to fix. The SB (5.0 & 5.8) as well as the BB (7.5) are virtually identical to the cousins of the '70's & '80's once you get past the fuel injection. The biggest pain in the *** on FI is when the pump in the tank fails and you have to drop it to replace it. These are some of the toughest engines on the planet IMO.
Now transmissions. As a previous poster indicated, you simply can't go wrong with a manual. Unless it's been horribly abused, about the worst that can happen is a clutch and throwout bearing. Concerning the automatics, here is a website you will want to study. These guys are the "defacto experts" on Blue Oval automatic transmissions.
Baumann Engineering
Pay particular attention to the pre 1995 model E4OD as this model underwent a lot of "improvements" leading up to the '95 model. Also if you find one with the small block, it will be equipped with either the AOD, AOD-E, or the AOD-EW/4R70W depending on the model year. The AOD-E is much improved over the AOD and the 4R70W is nearly bullet-proof as well as the '95 and up E4OD. I have pulled a 9000+ lb trailer up five to six percent grades with my 1995 F-250 Supercab 7.5L/E4OD. This 121,000 mile truck has pulled heavy trailers all it's life and still has never had the engine or trans touched other than regular maintenance. I'm the 2nd owner. I couldn't ask anything more from a truck. It gets about 13.5 MPG empty and about 10 MPG loaded. Hope this helps concerning Blue Oval trucks......