6.0 vs. 7.3 Powerstroke

[SLC97SR5]

Lemme put it this way, I'd take the GM 6.5 WAY before I'd take a 6.0 Ford and I hate the 6.5.

The 7.3 Powerstroke is a work horse, finding a nice one is big the problem.

Ouch. The 6.0 is a pile without a DPF delete, EGR update and oil cooler upgrade. With that said, the 6.5 sucks.

I have a 7.3 IDI and love DD'ing it. The IDI is nothing like the PSD 7.3 but I worked on the PSD's and the 7.3 ZF-6 and even 4R100 is a great setup. I would love an '01 CC LB.

If you want a diesel, get a diesel.

WalMart sells the factory Motorcraft FL1995 oil filters for $9.99.

The 7.3 is the one to get, it's proven, durable, easy parts availability and super reliable with a spare CPS in the glove box.

The 6.0 can be made reliable and makes great power but is expensive to do so especially when the history may not be known on a used vehicle.

 

[gijohn40]

THE 7.3 needs its oil changed every 3-5k without question... so if your looking to run amsoil don't buy the 7.3 cause if you run the oil to long in it the injectors will get damaged... alot of diesel mechanics will tell you that even 5k is pushing it for the 7.3

 

[grandmaster]

My 6.0 takes 15 quarts....I work at Carquest and it's pretty expensive to get amsoil even at my cost lol. You can plan on AT LEAST twice the amount. It is great oil though....my dad works for blue diamond parts (Fords diesel outside parts sales) and he's seen problems with people going over the 6k mark even with the amsoil. That being said our amsoil rep has said that he knows of a diesel that has had the same oil in it for 100k +. He does the oil analysis and changes the filter and tops it off with a few new quarts.

 

[mbryson]

Having moved from a '99 PSD with 7.3L to an '04 Cummins there's a lot of things I really liked about the 7.3L. I owned the truck for about 4 years and put at LEAST 6-7 CPS in it. You can change a CPS in LHM Ford parking lot in dress pants in about 15 min. without getting dirty, while the salesman is trying to talk you into a "better" truck. Ask me how I know. That aside, the truck was really a solid truck except for some of the F*rd door lock issues. I also replaced a window switch and the throttle pedal of all things (some throttle position sensor issue).

If I could find a nice '99-03 7.3L, longbed, stickshift I'd buy another again. My good experience with the F*rd made me look into the 6.0L trucks, but they're just a total crapshoot and basically a ticking time bomb (aren't all diesels?) with a short fuse. After talking to a number of sources (maint. guys at Gillete, Ford and another little diesel shop here in Woods Cross, some owners of 6.0L trucks and a dealer I "trust"), I steered away from the 6.0L altogether. The trucks are nice trucks, but the motor is a total turd.

 

[natas]

I just sold my 03 6.0 first year of the 6.0 I had a few issues with it nothing major I loved it and it towed like a champ

 

[SLC97SR5]

6.0 poll on Pirate:

http://pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=945949

 

[Rot Box]

Oh no! not another 6.0 thread?! Aside from the EGR and head bolts there are way too many other things that have the potential to fail--I wanted to like them but I can't.

Why don't you find a Centurian (4 door bronco) with an IDI? :greg: I drive my crew cab 5 speed diesel daily at times and I don't see the problem... Well except or having to shut it off so I can order a Mcdouble

 

[LT.]

Ford Diesel are a love hate affair. Either you love them or you hate them. I can tell you without a shadow of a doubt that we work on more Ford Diesels than any other combined. Period. 7.3, 6.0, and 6.4's. But, there are more Ford Diesels around here than any other model. So take it for what it is worth. I have some friends who swear by them (ChestonScout and CasperCustoms) and I think they are crazy for liking them so much. The 7.3 is the pick of the litter. The 6.0 can be made into a great motor if you are willing to throw some money at it. EGR delete, new exhaust, oil cooler relocated, and head studs would be a great start. But, you are still working with a tranny that is lacking. All Diesels will have tranny issues as soon as you turn them up. But, I have worked on more than a few Ford trannys that are at stock power from the motor.

I am more than a little baised towards the Dodge Cummins but, there are some short comings there also.

LT.

 

[spencevans]

So the more I research this, and the more I look around the more I realize I want 7.3L 2001-03 Limited Excursion. They tend to run 10-15K cheaper than the 2004-05 6.0L Excursions. After looking at break down of the head bolts, turbocharger, and several other items, I think the choice is obvious. The other item I learned, which no one has brought up is, the 6.0 require 2-3 times more labor hours than the 7.3 because of some design flaws. The 6.0L has twice as many valves and moving parts. Rumor has it you can't even remove the heads on a 6.0 with out pulling the motor because the A/C box is in the way.

 

[gijohn40]

Rumor has it you can't even remove the heads on a 6.0 with out pulling the motor because the A/C box is in the way.

actually you take the truck body off the frame and its a piece of cake from there.....

 

[Greg]

actually you take the truck body off the frame and its a piece of cake from there.....

Yep, Ford's top-notch designing right there!

 

[Rot Box]

Yep, in fact most choose to lift the cab completely off of the truck to do the head stud upgrade on the 6.0

If you do end up with a 7.3 (or either I guess) research the HEUI (hydraulic electronic unit injection) and HPOP (high pressure oil pump) system and get familiar with its function. The PSD is not an engine that you want to neglect oil changes--not saying you ever would. Keep the glow plug circuit healthy and you will really enjoy owning one they are great engines

 

[LT.]

We have found that the Ford is easier to work on with the cab pulled no matter if it is a 6.0, 7.3, or the 6.4. The cabs come off easily and we will never again work on another Ford Diesel with the cab on. This includes the OBS 1994 through 1997 Fords as well. With the 7.3 be religious with oil changes and keep a watchful eye on the turbo. I have now replaced 4 of them on customers trucks.

LT.

 

[spencevans]

We have found that the Ford is easier to work on with the cab pulled no matter if it is a 6.0, 7.3, or the 6.4. The cabs come off easily and we will never again work on another Ford Diesel with the cab on. This includes the OBS 1994 through 1997 Fords as well. With the 7.3 be religious with oil changes and keep a watchful eye on the turbo. I have now replaced 4 of them on customers trucks.

LT.

But removing the cab on an Excursion is a lot more time consuming than removing the cab on a Superduty Pickup. And like they say, "time is money".

 

[LT.]

But removing the cab on an Excursion is a lot more time consuming than removing the cab on a Superduty Pickup. And like they say, "time is money".

Lol. I was not thinking about an Excursion. My bad. At the shop I don't ever remember an Excursion coming in so I don't have any words of wisdom for ya there.

LT.

 

[rockdog]

We have found that the Ford is easier to work on with the cab pulled no matter if it is a 6.0, 7.3, or the 6.4. The cabs come off easily and we will never again work on another Ford Diesel with the cab on. This includes the OBS 1994 through 1997 Fords as well. With the 7.3 be religious with oil changes and keep a watchful eye on the turbo. I have now replaced 4 of them on customers trucks.

LT.

What should I be watching for on the turbo? I have an 01. CPS. and glow plugs and harness so far. Owned it for several years. Everybody has given me crap for changing the oil every 3000 miles. Now I'm glad I'm such an annul old man.

 

[LT.]

What should I be watching for on the turbo? I have an 01. CPS. and glow plugs and harness so far. Owned it for several years. Everybody has given me crap for changing the oil every 3000 miles. Now I'm glad I'm such an annul old man.

The biggest problems that we have run into is the oil lines getting plugged up. This was due to the oil changes not being done as they should have. I have seen two complete separations from the impeller shaft to the impeller. The last one was on a 1997 Ford Powerstroke. I kept telling the owner that there was something wrong with his turbo on the motor. He finally decided to do some thing about the lacking performance and ordered a complete Banks kit. While we had the cab pulled to preform the upgrades we pulled the turbo to replace the housing with the kit from Banks. You could stick your finger inside and hold the impeller from turning while turning the shaft.

All in all the 7.3 is the definite pick of the litter for Ford's turbo diesels. And I really can't stress enough how important frequent oil changes are to any turbo Diesel. Diesels are dirty engines and they need to have the maintenance done at regular intervals.

LT.

 

[Damin]

very happy with my 7.3. No engine repairs since I have had it in 7 years

yep you just jinxed yourself