Among those who need serious torque from their truck, diesel engines hold a special place. And many consider a diesel engine from Ford to be one of the best, the 7.3-liter Power Stroke. This engine makes up to 275 horsepower and up to 525 pound-feet of torque. It also has a reputation for being almost bulletproof. This is why Ford Super Duty trucks with the 7.3 are so sought after.
Is the 7.3L diesel a good engine?
The 7.3-liter Ford Power Stroke engine is well-regarded for its longevity and ability to handle extra power. It uses a cast iron block and heads, and is relatively simple in design. These factors lead to a large engine that can power a heavy-duty pickup with fairly low maintenance issues.
This engine was offered from 1999 to 2003 and can be found in the Ford F-250 and Ford F-350. It even came equipped with the ZF S6-650 manual transmission, which featured six gears. Of course, for those who prefer automatic transmission, the 4R100 five-speed automatic could be paired with the 7.3-litre diesel engine.
The 7.3-liter Power Stroke is a durable engine
According to motor trend, it’s no surprise to see a Ford Super Duty truck with the 7.3-liter engine lasting over 500,000 miles. Especially if proper maintenance and repairs are done in a timely manner. If you’re interested in a diesel Ford pickup, even a model with over 200,000 miles shouldn’t scare you off. And those are some pretty impressive numbers.
In 2003, the 7.3-liter V8 was replaced by the 6.0-liter Power Stroke V8, which is a decent engine in its own right. But at the end of the day, the 7.3-liter is what most people look for when looking for an older Ford Super Duty truck.
It’s worth noting that the 6.0-liter V8 engine was the subject of a class action lawsuit. So that probably plays into its reputation for not being a great engine for a heavy-duty truck.
Can you buy a first generation Ford Super Duty?
Thanks to reliable engines like the 7.3-liter Power Stroke, it’s possible to find a Super Duty from this era worth buying. In terms of cost, the price you see on these heavy trucks will vary. The ones that are especially clean and well equipped can cost upwards of $30k. But it is possible to find one for less than $20,000.
A heavy truck is not right for everyone. There are many smaller trucks that also have reliable powertrains. But for those who need power, there really isn’t a good replacement for displacement.
But, when it comes to a big diesel truck, motor trend has given its badge of support to Ford Super Duty with the 7.3-liter Power Stroke V8. And that should carry some weight with truck owners and diesel enthusiasts. Even if the van is 20 years old.