Smitty

iTrader: (1)

I am looking to buy a used Ford Super duty truck. I have looked at some with the 7.3 and some with the 6.0 engines. The 7.3 is very noisey and has a 4 speed trans and is relatively trouble free. The 6.0 has a 5 speed trans and has had some issues, but is much quieter and seems to run better (faster) . I plan on keeping this truck for at least 10 years. I only drive my current truck 5K per year. Which engine should I get ??? Price is around the same for either engine equipped trucks.


Dave

BRUCE SEROFF

I have a F250 6.0 and love it. 17k miles in 4 months. no problems.

if you go with the 6.0, make sure its not a 2003. you may be buying someone elses problems.

bobkatz

I have two 7.3's

- one 98 w/269k miles and had to replace one injector, one alternator, and
one starter

- one 2002 or 2003 w/50k miles and runs flawlessly

Had a 92 cummins, everything fell apart on that truck except the motor

I don't think you can go wrong w/ the 7.3

Good luck!

Havasu Cig

Ditto...We lemoned our 03 Ex with the 6.0.

blown formula

7.3 no question. Noiser yes, but put in a Bully Dog 75hp chip, stock exhaust & gas milegae went to an overall 19.3/highway-city. Kicks my neigbors '04 6.0 hands down.
I pull a 312 Formula on a triple axle trailer & hardly know it's there.
I wouldn't trade it for anything now. (90K miles)

stecz20

chip the 6.0 and it will whippppppppp the 7.3. really does not mater what you have 7.3 or 6.0 both bad ass. i have a 04 f-450 6.0 and love it. i pull everything with it, and can tell the difference right away between the two.... stecz

MitchStellin

I would say the 7.3. I had a choice and went for the displacement. go to TheDieselStop.com and read what people think in the real world, as Troutly said it must be after 9/30 or it is a possible turn in. The 7.3 is tried and true, the 6.0 is still being debugged. I am reading that the guys with the 6.0 want the 7.3 back. There is a specific forum for the 6.0 so go read up and look for what is being said, it can save a ton of headaches. It is a great engine, just hasa a few bugs right now.

jtmiller02

My friend has a 6.0 dually with a chip and that thing would walk all over a 7.3 with a chip, not even close, besides it is years ahead in noise/vibration.

MitchStellin

Go read the thread on the 6.0 with the Edge programer, it blew an injector and took out a piston. Now Ford will not warrent it, they flagged it on OASIS and he is out a motor. Do your homework here, you can make any engine go fast by adding fuel, thats all the chips do. It is a 40 page thread and there are many who have the same problem. It can be a good engine, just get the right one.

h2owarrior

I am not an expert on this but I think the 7.3 would be the choice for another model year (until the 2005's are out). Ford and Navistar went a different direction in injection systems on the 6.0. The change was made from the Caterpillar HEUI (Hydraulic Electric Unit Injector) system to a similar unproven system. If I remember it was a combination of cost and noise. Most of the noise from the 7.3 was from the poppet on the injector slamming closed. Those of you that have dealt with Cat know they do nothing cheap....but it appears you get what you pay for.

The problems with the 6.0 will be solved and it will be a very good engine......but there are still some issues.