how does the Ford 6.0 Diesel compare with the 7.3? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

sixto · #1 03-22-2008, 02:34 PM

Is anyone familiar with both the Ford 6.0 and 7.3 turbodiesels? Any reason to pick one of the other given the choice?

Thanks,
Sixto
87 300D

POS · #2 03-22-2008, 02:37 PM

The 6.0 is the better performing engine, the 7.3 is more durable. I've owned both, and I much preferred driving the stock 6.0 over the chipped 7.3. That said, the 6.0 had a bunch of problems in the '03 and '04 trucks - be careful of the 6.0 that you buy. Make sure it wasn't a problem vehicle for someone else.

aklim · #3 03-22-2008, 02:37 PM

I'd go for a early 01 and older because those have forged rods. No older than a mid 99. I wouldn't get a 03-04 6.0 because they have too many issues. What are you trying to do?

sixto · #4 03-22-2008, 02:47 PM

What are the problems with the 6.0? Is there some peace of mind that most problems are behind an engine with 100-150K miles or can problems strike at any time?

We're thinking of replacing the 97 'burb 6.5 with an Excursion for the interior space benefit. No plans to tow. We had a full size van but SUVs are easier to park and oddly feel less like trucks on the road.

Sixto
87 300D

aklim · #5 03-22-2008, 03:28 PM

I think it was blowing head gaskets, injectors and turbo that gets coked up.

Here is a titbit for you. I had to go over 500 miles to get my 7.3 in 06. Why was I able to get an 03 or 04 within 50 miles of where I was? I finally got an 01 Excursion with the 7.3. The dealers were trying to palm me off with a 6.0. I asked why 7.3s were so hard to come by. They told me that the owners were driving them into the ground. Yet, they were insisting that the 6.0s were so good. Yeah, right. That is why the current owners were dying to get rid of them. Sure.

http://www.powerstroke.org/forum/6-0l-problems-forum/

aklim · #6 03-22-2008, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sixto

Is there some peace of mind that most problems are behind an engine with 100-150K miles or can problems strike at any time?

We're thinking of replacing the 97 'burb 6.5 with an Excursion for the interior space benefit. No plans to tow. We had a full size van but SUVs are easier to park and oddly feel less like trucks on the road.

Sixto
87 300D

Not sure if there is.

So why not get the gas version? You will pay a premium for diesel and if you are not towing, what is the point?

Skid Row Joe · #7 03-22-2008, 06:28 PM

7.3 Rock solid, bulletproof
6.0 Better mileage, quieter, more problematic
6.4 Brand new, haven't read any feedback.

I own a 2002 7.3........zilch problems.

daveuz · #8 03-22-2008, 06:34 PM

The 6.0 really needed head studs instead of bolts. There were some anti freeze seepage problems/ head gaskets blowing ect. Many have been converted thru Warranty. Expensive job because the Cab needs to be lifted off the truck. To me the 6.0 drove more like a gas motor which many people like. The 7.3 drove more like a diesel IMHO. I would find the lastest 7.3 .Early 2003 is the last of them. 2001 had a diode in the trans that caused problems but most probably have been fixed by now. The 6.0 does have a much better Trans though , and you should be more worried about Trans issues with the 7.3 than motor problems. I have 2 - 7.3s one with 340,000 and 1 with 297,000. Only thing major was a Turbo and some burned wiring to the injectors/ glow plugs. A DIY job no problem. www.dieselstop.com Best Ford diesel site I have seen.

aklim · #9 03-22-2008, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daveuz

To me the 6.0 drove more like a gas motor which many people like. The 7.3 drove more like a diesel IMHO.

I would find the lastest 7.3 .Early 2003 is the last of them.

2001 had a diode in the trans that caused problems but most probably have been fixed by now.

I did the regulated return and it quietened the motor quite a bit. Also big oil helped. If you don't want to do big oil, do a HPX

Problem is now you have PMRs instead of Forged Rods.

Mine toasted on me because of the diode. Some say that a build date of after Mar 01 makes you safe or there is a way to test for the diode. In any case, I went with a BTS trans and was practically dared to break it.

daveuz · #10 03-22-2008, 06:48 PM

HE HE ...yes I have heard that the BTS is unstoppable. I spoke with Brian once on the phone. Very nice/helpful guy. What is great about a BTS trans is they are all built the same way. If Pull , Tow or just drive it you get the best parts . No "sort of good" at BTS. I have been lucky and not had to replace a trans yet. My trucks were bought used and I do think the one has had a Re-man Ford in it.

catmandoo62 · #11 03-22-2008, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

Not sure if there is.

So why not get the gas version? You will pay a premium for diesel and if you are not towing, what is the point?

as much as i hate gas,i'd have to agree with that.here diesel is running about 85 cents a gallon more.with the milage below the 20 mpg's why pay a premium for the diesel to begin with then have to pay more for fuel.

aklim · #12 03-22-2008, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daveuz

HE HE ...yes I have heard that the BTS is unstoppable. I spoke with Brian once on the phone. Very nice/helpful guy. I have been lucky and not had to replace a trans yet. My trucks were bought used and I do think the one has had a Re-man Ford in it.

I did a few small things to it. 01 Excursion 7.3L Powerstroke. Gauges with AIH Delete, AIS, CCV Mod, 4' MBRP, BTS Trans, 6.0L Trans Cooler and Intercooler, DP-Tuner F5 chip, ITP In Tank Mod and Boost Annihilator, Diesel Innovation's Regulated Fuel kit and BTS Big Oil system. Bilstein Shocks with U code front and A code Rear.

aklim · #13 03-22-2008, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catmandoo62

as much as i hate gas,i'd have to agree with that.here diesel is running about 85 cents a gallon more.with the milage below the 20 mpg's why pay a premium for the diesel to begin with then have to pay more for fuel.

My reasoning is that if he isn't towing, it will be fine to go with gas. Why have the hassle of having to plug it in when cold, harder to find fuel, messier pumps, etc, etc?

daveuz · #14 03-22-2008, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catmandoo62

as much as i hate gas,i'd have to agree with that.here diesel is running about 85 cents a gallon more.with the milage below the 20 mpg's why pay a premium for the diesel to begin with then have to pay more for fuel.

I would normally disagree BUT I believe that the gas powered ones are so much cheaper to buy than the diesels that even if the cost per mile was cheaper with the better fuel mileage in the diesel , the cost difference in trucks would be too much to overcome .

aklim · #15 03-22-2008, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daveuz

I would normally disagree BUT I believe that the gas powered ones are so much cheaper to buy than the diesels that even if the cost per mile was cheaper with the better fuel mileage in the diesel , the cost difference in trucks would be too much to overcome .

Oil change is 15-16 quarts at a time. Change that ever 3000 and if you don't have a reason, you are screwing yourself. Also, with diesel, you have another issue. HUEI systems are totally dependent on oil. Cold temps and the oil doesn't work as well. So, you have to switch to synthetic oil.