7.3 Powerstroke: Everything You Need to Know 

Own a 99 7.3 with 268k on it. At 160k I teamed up with Gale Banks Engineering and Diesel Power Magazine to write an article on comparing a fully Gale Banks Six Pack kitted 7.3 to a new 6.0 at the time. We threw everything Gale made for the 7.3 and dyno'd it after the install of the 4" SS exhaust, inter cooler, bigger cooler pipes, chip upgrade, tyranny shift body and GB torque converter. Pulled 375 hp and 585 lb. of torque. Blew away the 6.0 in our 0-60 and 40-60 tow tests with a 10,000 lb. Boat behind each...!!! The truck is still in my driveway... "The Baja Beast" and was featured for 2 years on my Amazon Prime TV series.. DESTINATION BAJA SUR ... Towing the Baja Bandido all over the peninsula.

Best, most reliable diesel I've ever owned. Just keeps running.

Like i say, my friends 6.7 Ford is impressive in the speedometer department, my 7.3 is impressive in the odometer department.

One of my life’s goals is to always have at least one 7.3. My current ‘02 F-350 has 287,000 and runs like new. Great motors

680k on mine and I drive it every day. Going for over a million, easy.

Just got me a 7.3. 95' straight pipe 3 down pipe to 4" from fire wall out. 277,000 miles going strong. 280,000 now with 6 position tuner

263,000 on my 2002 7.3 BEAST. She's my personal gem and we'll be buried together when my time's up. She growls like a Lion & whistles like the angels in heaven! 🇺🇸'merica!🇺🇸

Love my 7.3 or, 7 tree as I call it. I make sure to keep the oil changed and it runs like a Swiss watch. 192K on it and it just keeps going and going... Every time I pull the dip stick to check things out, the oil looks beautiful. It's one of the few diesels I know that have that clean of oil, very impressive I think!

I do love my 6.0s. But today’s tech and aftermarket can make those old 7.3s run with the new stuff. Can’t beat the sound of single shot injectors

Both my 5.9 Cummins and my powerstroke7.3 have over 500k miles

The days of simplicity and rugadness are gone. I remember the first powerstroke I saw back in early 95. It scared me to death. I didn't think I would ever be able to to work on them, they looked so complicated. Now I can't wait when one comes in for repair. I never understood why everyone needs a thousand horse power to pull a trailer. I remember when the avarage hp on a semi engine was 350 and about 900 lbs of torque. We got a lot done with those numbers over the years at a reasonable cost of ownership. Give me a 7.3 or 12 valve Cummins in anything up to 30 thousand pounds and that would be enough for me

One problem with the 7.3 is the nut that holds the oil dipstick in. It gets loose and o-ring backs off. They sell really good after market replacement parts for them. 02 best truck I’ve ever owed.

Got 306k miles on my 2001 7.3 e450 shuttle bus. Makes good power and sounds so good. Love it.

Just turned 451,000 in my '99

Although the stock version of the 7.3 is underpowered, thanks to its lack of emissions controls, the aftermarket is absolutely stacked with all kinds of horsepower goodies for it.

I’m going to look at a ‘99 7.3 today with 287k miles. Pretty hype

I had a 1996 7.3 ford f 350 great motor I had it 22 years 210k miles. started leaking oil everywhere sold it in 2018 could have went another 100k. The biggest problems 2 injector drive modules 4 glow plug relays 2 sets of glow plugs. 2 timing sensors 2 vacuum pumps. The turbo exhaust pipe was restricted.Replaced with SS 3 inch. The leaks, oil pan rusted out. mech fuel pump vent , turbo pedestal oil seal, exhaust studs rust/break off Best year was 7.3 2001 with inter-coolers

Also i just bought a 2000 7.3 excursion this week for $4500. And ALMOST mint , i dont think i would ever get a deal like this again!

I drive a 2000 7.3 everyday for concrete construction and have 403k on it and never have any problems

Love my 2001 F250 7.3L! It does everything I have asked it to do. I will sacrifice extra power of the newer diesel motors for the reliability it has given me for that last 21 years of service!

3 years ago..bought a very nice 248,000 mile 2001 7.3.. I just had installed 8 new OEM injectors and gasket wiring harness for $3,600. What a difference. Seriously getting 18.4 mpg on coastal curvy highway and town driving. (North Coast of Calif). Love, "The Beast". Pulling my Grand Design 35 ft. 5th wheel home. (310 GK)

My 2002 7.3 has 361k on it and it still runs like new.

There are some known problems with the 7.3 which were not mentioned, mostly related to age. The oil pan rusts in humid climates. The oil cooler often leaks oil due to the gaskets failing. Replacement gaskets are made of different rubber and do not harden. The last problem is much more involved. The fuel injector cups are sheet brass and crack or develop microscopic holes. This is a problem on all diesels that use brass cups. Experts feel it is exposure to extended life antifreeze which degrades the brass, as earlier diesels that used regular antifreeze do not have the problem. When the cups fail, fuel is forced into the cooling system. The reservoir fills, the cap gasket fails and fuel leaks out of the reservoir. Replacing the cups and injector gaskets is a 2 day job for a decent diesel mechanic. Aftermarket stainless steel cups are available and most large trucks now use stainless cups. There is no consensus on whether or not the fuel damages cooling system components (besides the cap gasket). It does not damage the reservoir. Despite this, the 7.3 still has a record for reliability. It will be interesting to see how Ford's new diesel pans out. It is only 7% heavier than the 7.3, but it has almost twice the torque and HP.

Awesome vid-proud owner of my second 7.3

I own a two 7.3 diesel trucks I will never go back to gas

Drove EMS ambulances with 7.3 diesels. Best engines ever. Very dependable. So I purchased 2001 F250 supercrew 4x4 7.3. This engine has the cleanest engine oil ever. Missed an oil change, and at 15,000 miles my oil change guy was amazed when he pulled out the dip stick that he could easily read the printing on it through the oil

My uncles company had multiple 7.3s that went 300k miles with nothing more than maintenance and an injector here or there. Towing and occasional snow plowing. Company had 6.0s, 6.4s, and 6.7s. The 6.0s and 6.4a are long gone. There’s still a 7.3 or two in the yard still in service. I just drove one this weekend. 290k miles, rotted, but still towing and plowing and earning its keep. I own a 7.3 as well. 246k miles and rotted out, but starts in zero degree weather unplugged.

Got a 97 F250HD with 390K ,It's just runs like a thoroughbred, Plan upgrading all critical components soon, Gonna run it till the wheels fall off !

Thank you for the information. I love my 96 f350 7.3 powerstroke. My T REX!

I had both a 7.3 (2001 F250) and a 6.0 (2004 F350) when I was in high school, and I believe both trucks have their ups and downs. The 6.0 surely had engine problems not too long after I got it (spoilers and not big surprise, blown head gasket from failed EGR cooler), but after a costly repair and top end rebuild (new gaskets and head studs along with new oil cooler and EGR bypass), it has been a great engine ever since aside from the few electrical issues that developed along the way (most of them being charging related). Now for the 7.3 I've never had ANY issues out of the engine, in fact most of the issues I had with that truck were mostly related to the transmission (mine was an automatic, that's why); the torque converter failed when pulling a big trailer and eventually took the transmission with it, so after a full rebuild and new billet torque converter, I got the truck back and it drove great (although looking back I wish I had the valve body modified since it did have an issue with hard shifting from 2nd to 3rd gear). Both trucks have their flaws and I'm sure others will have different horror stories than I've had, but I do love both trucks, I love the 6.0 mostly for its power (even though a chip on a 7.3 can always fix that, but I would make sure the auto trans is built or you have a better clutch on the manual trucks), but I love the 7.3 for its reliability and overall longevity.

Love my 99 Crew cab 4x4 7.3L ZF6!

It didn't die because of new emissions, it got the axe because it was to loud. Best sounding engine of all time.

Nicely done, sir.

7.3 is actually more emission friendly than a 6.7. Noise regulations issues is the reason why Ford dropped it.

Probably going to buy one this morning. Thanks for the video!

Good job very accurate and good informative content I've had 5 7.3 trucks in my life and am looking for another.

Can’t tow that much?? My 2002 towed over 35 000 lbs! But nice try

Original owner of ‘97 PowerStroke with Banks Chip, Turbo, Command Shift module, 4” exhaust from heads to tail, oil cooler and intercooler...amazing power range and still the cleanest diesel ever to test at our county DEQ @.04 out of a range of 0-10 passing range. This pickup is bomb-proof and still a pleasure to tow with.

The non-California '99 .5 7.3 with 6spd didn't have a catalytic convertor.

Love my '02 lariat, beside the minor maintenance stuff only had one this go wrong with it, best truck I've ever owned, and still going strong... and with just under 190k on the clock it's barely broke in

So much good info!

ever see a new crank out of the box for a 7.3 IH,my god its a work of art,solid steel and machine work flawless

Have a 2001 with 240k and modest modifications most notably the Brian’s Truck Shop transmission and GTP38 ball bearing turbo. Turners and all that sure but those 2 mentioned before have made my truck! All my friends have had many trucks in the last 19 years, faster? Sure. More luxurious? Sure. But mine still pulls everything everywhere 2 decades later and I haven’t had a payment in a long, long time! And theirs are long gone. Long live the 7.3. Oh, one more thing. Mine was factory without a catalytic converter.

I drive a 7.3 daily. Freaking awesome motor in a freaking awesome truck. It's an 01 f250 lifted black lariat 4x4 with 6.0 front end and 2016 king ranch wheels. Though I'd have to be unbiased in my decision to acknowledge the 12v Cummins as the best pickup truck diesel though the Chrysler pickup it's in isn't the best. My 7.3 is bone stock with a tune and I think that's the best way to have it.

01 F350 7.3 with Edge Tuner and no cat with the 5" exhaust. 207,000 miles. Had it a little over two years. Keep it in safe tow mode and it moves on down the road.

Great video lotta information I know these engines pretty well and you covered everything

looking great man, keep the great videos coming

I bought one of the 1st 7.3 Powerstrokes back in 94. I paid about 25K for it and 4 years later it was STILL worth 25K! That vehicle remains the best rig I ever owned. That said, it had it's drawbacks. It had a huge oil capacity and the high pressure system broke it down quickly. You did NOT delay oil changes under any circumstances. Also, my rig went through glow plug relays on a semi annual basis. But they were relatively cheap and easy to replace. Engine aside, Ford did some fairly chickenshit things in those days. For example, the clutch slave/master cylinders installed as NEW on my truck, were unavailable as replacement parts. This is because they had already been discontinued TWO YEARS BEFORE my truck was even built! In a nutshell, Ford was installing components onto their new rigs that were ALREADY known to be faulty prior to the build. Thanks for that Ford. I could go on. Even after that, I am still a Ford guy....I now own a 3.5 Eco twin turbo. But I don't trust any of the manufactures. In the end, I sure do miss my 69 F-250 4x4

Thanks for the vid. Have a 95 and will never give it up!

I have a 2000 F250 SD with the 7.3 and a somewhat rare 6 speed manual. 4X4, extended cab, and 6.5 ft box. 170,000 miles. Without a shadow of a doubt the best truck I have ever owned and so fun to drive!

200K right around the corner on my '93 I swear by this motor. the manual transmission had a better starter

I have a 95 f350 and honestly I’m a Chevy guy, when I got it I was definitely impressed. It is bone stock 2wd with 33’s, it is straight piped with the stock down pipe and has a recently Installed aftermarket air intake. At the moment it is in the shop for several “common problems on the newer and older powerstrokes.” While I very much enjoy the truck I’m still a big Chevy fan. (Internal oil leak, losing oil pressure, bad cam sensor, bad ipr valve, the top of an injector is broken off, however no engine codes?)

I just got a 97 obs and I love it

My 03 still runs like new... Did need to upgrade the trans oil cooler but outside of that she has been just rock solid.

Thanks for the Vid

Just bought a 2001 Ford F250 XLT with the 7.3 in it and I am totally in love! I don't even listen to the radio while driving because I'd rather listen to the engine :)

i have two 7.3 vans. both under 200xx miles. best trucks ever. one of them ( the 01) has been sitting a while (2 years) and i couldn't start it a few months ago. i finally got to looking at it today and, there were 2 chewed wires at top of main harness connector, the squirrels got to it . I Spliced them, and it fired right up within seconds. it sounds so badass with open exhaust and 4 inch pipe.

Mines 173000 now and a beast. Love it.

My 2016 6.7 power stroke has 481000 miles, and still going strong 💪🏿.

Great video! I have a 97 f350 7.3 with 317,000 on the clock

Been towing with my 1995 F350 Power Stroke for years with minor issues. I have had many offers for the motor. I love my old F350 just don't like the price of diesel fuel these days.

I ordered my 96 F250 super cab 4 x 4 by time it came in it was a 97 power stroke. Still on it still love. It has 203,000 on it. 32,000 was a lot of money back then, so glad I took good care of. It never could afford a new one.

I’m just now gonna buy a 2002 f250 with the 7.3 power stroke diesel my first diesel truck was just trying to get some info on the 7.3 diesel thank u some good info

My pops one and only brand new pickup was a 2000 Ford F250 with the 7.3 power stroke. That thing was a trooper

Thanks for video I enjoy this grand daughter has a 95 250 7.3 I love the whole unit

I have a 2007 F350 Super Duty with a 6.0 that was bulletproofed at 191k and it now has 208,000 miles and it’s been going strong. Despite recently having trouble with the intercooler and turbo boot blowing open it’s been a good engine for me. I used to think that the 6.0s were just gutless period until I heard that if you get the bulletproofing done to them they can become more reliable. I have a friend who has an 06 F350 SD with a 6.0 who had his bulletproofed after he got it. Mine was bulletproofed before I bought my 07.

My first 7.3 I bought new in 96 4x4 8' bed extra cab XLT with a 5 speed manual and manual front hubs I custom ordered it with a 3.08 rear end gearing and sticker delete. Only one thing noteworthy was I had to wait an extra 3 months for delivery because CARB mandated that the iron oxide particulates needed to come down so ford had to scramble to put together a makeshift catalytic converter (it turned out to be a scrubber more or less) which I promptly removed along with the infamous flat pipe that I replaced with a straight 4" all the way back. I put slightly more than 1/2 a million trouble free miles ( only replacing the belt and water pump) before selling it which I regret to this day..

‘02 f250 with 7.3, 6 speed , I love it. It does have a penchant for oil leaks and failed cam position sensors but an easy fix

Just turned 295k on my factory motor, she has some blow by but still runs very strong. Motor is getting pulled and replaced with a built motor, s369sxe T4 set up, cam, ARP studs, carillo rods, fully worked heads, and 250/200 injectors. Its a big build but ready to turn back the time on my girl!

Bought my 02 F350 is n 01, has 240k, besides regular maintenance water pump & alternator is all I’ve ever replaced. Not one oil spot under it either. I can’t complain.

I had a 01 Powerstroke with a manual trans. Got 365K trouble free miles before I traded it off. Still own a 2000 Powerstroke bought new in April of 01. 185K miles and still looks and drives great (will never sell this truck). No major problems with either truck.

Great vid more on 7.3 ‘s please, particular 1997 dually

My 01 F-350, is hands down, the BEST decision I have ever made. Yeah, it’s a “Dinosaur “, but it’s all MINE! It’s NEVER squatted, or “balked” at anything I have ever hooked up to pull. Best interstate heavy hauler MADE! (made by international Harvester/Navistar, with Ford stamped all over it.

405,000 on my 1996. All original motor! I added a wicked wheel to the turbo and a very mild chip. Still runs great!

Love my 97 f250 powerstroke, my dream truck 😍

Good job

Best dependable truck I have ever owned mine has 347,000 miles and don’t burn a drop of oil. And still going strong. No big hurry but I will get there👍

Solid engine for sure, had a 2002 F-350 version. The ‘big’ issue with these is the oil pans rust out and you have to pull the engine to fix it correctly.

My 01 F-250 7.3 PS mated to a 6 speed manual does pretty good. I towed 7500 pounds from Maine to Utah and back. Thing is, you have to “drive” the road. When you see a hill coming up you accelerate before you get there to make the grade. If you get caught flat footed, welcome to 35 MPH until you reach the top.

556000km and still going strong.. in my 01 250

Its a great truck my 96 has all the power i need!!

I had a 2007.3 power stroke the only not routine change such as oil and battery was replacing injectors. I had it for 16 years and never did anything but start go run a Beautiful and Engine.

My 99 f350 has 472k on it still running good

Great video. Very informative. Subscribed, thanks.

I run my 98 e350 7.3 on WMO. It started on 250k and It stopped at 380k(miles) The hpop went bad and the rust stopped me from fixing it. Bought a 01 e350 with 209k. On 07/15/2020. I started running it on transmission oil since day 1. Looking forward for another 200k on transmission oil to save the planet.😁😁😁😁

300k on my early 99 w/original 4r100. About 100k of those miles where pulling a 17k lb trailer. Burns no oil and doesn't turn oil black with 3k miles changes. Only repairs have been 2 alternators and 2 water pumps.

My 97 crew cab is the best and now is a wanted classic truck , beautiful truck smog exempt love ❤️ it

Yep love mine 99.5 with the good ole 6speed. No crappy automatic

03 F250 extended cab short bed 4x4, 7.3L, ZF6, manual shift transfer case. F1 Vermilion Red. Bought him in Sept 2005 after gettin home from Iraq. He had about 52K on the clock then. 164K miles as of this post. He's a quarter horse, not a thoroughbred. Done nothing crazier than longevity mods to him. Banks CAI and Intercooler. Garret BB turbo, Amsoil dual bypass oil filter kit, coolant bypass filter, crossover oil line. IH bellowed up pipes. Adrenaline HPOP and hi volume LPOP. Lifted and running 35's on Mickey Thompson rims. Add a leaf and F 350 SRW blocks on rear. Leveling front leaf packs with 2.5" mini packs. Had to add the mini packs because the 35's were rubbing the inner fender. Also has a 07 front end because a couple of distracted asshats in a 2 wd S10 tried to share the exact same patch of asphalt I was already occupying. They paid for the "upgrade"

I got 2 5.9 Cummins a 95 and a 03, both 4x4 and manual transmission ( the 95 was swaped to manual, the automatic passed away) , and I got 2 7.3 one 99 and one 2000, only the 99 it's 4x4, both automatic transmission , yeah the 5.9 feels invincible, more space etc etc even better mpg, both engines the 7.3 and the 5.9 are good on torque , but... This is why I prefer the 7.3... because is surrounded by a better truck, a Ford, I love 3 makers Dodge Ford and chevy , but Ford vs Dodge in those years, Ford made a better truck, better brakes , better transmission , better dash(Dodges dash sucks) more comfortable... You get a better truck , if the 5.9 Cummins is the "10 point truck engine" the Dodge truck is just a 7, I hate how they brake, the front suspension is better on the Ford, let's say a 7.3 is a "8 point truck engine" for Shure a Ford truck it's a 9 point truck.... Even with the 7.3 flaws.. I work with my trucks , I tow with them, I use the daily to work, to go on a weekend, I depend on them, I take care of them because if I don't do it...it gets expensive to repair them, I only make upgrades to make them better for what I used them, no Barbie lifts , lady rims or queen tyres...just Work trucks, I upgrade lighting , better filters, better cooling , oil change on time, this is why I don't have more recent years, because I work on them, this year's are simple, maintainable, reliable, and posible to work on them and solve problems...

My 97 7.3 ha pulled about 20 tons no problem and hauls about 9 daily super reliable almost 400,000 Miles on it

The automatic transmission behind my 7.3 had never been removed when I sold it at 213,000 miles. That's plenty reliable for me.

My 95 only goes to 400k then starts over at 200k ford never put a 5 in the first digest of odometer. So who knows what's out their

The HEUI Injectors that came from Caterpillar are what was used on their 7.2L 3126/C-7,I think the 6.6L 3116 did as well but I could be wrong. G.M. had no power with their engines at the time,the Detroit 6.2L and 6.5L had no torque at all but did have incredible fuel efficiency for it's displacement. And then of course Dodge ended up with Cummins,and the 6BT was a step from the 4BT,but they had pin issues where they would fall into the gears or the oil pans,and on their 6CT that was actually very rare compared to the others which gave it advantage and not just being a more large engine. The 7.3L had the best of torque which was already explained.They still use multiple 7.3L's out there today,even in the military.In the Navy Seabees,some of the Ford F900's have the 7.3L's although most being the Ford 6.6L or 7.8L and they have not phased them out yet.The 7.3L outside of the F250's-F550's was also used in the F600's-F900's,not just the other two as mentioned.

My Early 99 pulls 11000 no problems. All stock works like a charm. Oil is never black at 7500 mile change intervals...I use all ford mo co filters, lubricants, and coolant

Drove a rollback with this engine. My favorite.

I have Excursion 2001, 7.3, 405,000 ml , runs like a clock. Love my Excursion, best truck I ever have .

I have a 2000 F350 7.3 diesel, it’s a beast, super strong for 320,000 miles on it.

Are the 7.3 Power Stroke's expensive to work on and easy to work on? Can you work on them with out lifting the cab or removing the fenders?

My 96 7.3 is all bone stock and has 334k miles still running great