Whats a good ford diesel engine

[07thorobrd]

I am looking to get a used F-250, I want to stay in the $15,000-$20,000 range. I was thinking about the 6.0 L Powerstroke Turbo diesel but I've heard mixed reviews. I don't know much about diesel engines, so any help would be appreciated

[SN95N/A]

The 7.3 by far is your most dependable ford diesel I've owned 4 of them,mines all cranked up and haven't had a bit of trouble out of it..I know from buddys of mine that 6.0 have head gasket,egr,wiring issue,injectors and turbo issues.I would go with 7.3..the newer 6.4 and 6.7 motors are powerhouses but very pricey..hope that helped you out man.

[boostanggt]

Do yourself a favor and stay away from the 6.0.

[Ranger50]

The one that is hiding a secret Cummins in between the fenders is the best Ford diesel. ;)

The 6.0 is OK after you spend the 3-4k to fix all the factory flubs. The 7.3 is eh. Most of the trucks with one are either expensive because of low mileage or beat to death.

Brian

[Xowner]

The one that is hiding a secret Cummins in between the fenders is the best Ford diesel. ;)

The 6.0 is OK after you spend the 3-4k to fix all the factory flubs. The 7.3 is eh. Most of the trucks with one are either expensive because of low mileage or beat to death.

Brian


what are the flubs that need to be fixed if one was gonna go 6.0?

[07thorobrd]

I've heard that the 6.0 isn't very good from several people. Thank you for the feed back. my dad and i are going to look at some trucks tomorrow. I had found an '06 6.0 L with 115,000 miles on it, and i was telling him about it and he was like dont buy that truck so i just wanted to verify this because as i stated above i dont know much about diesel engines, thanks again guys

[SN95N/A]

One of the flubs would be getting head studs done,they make a different harness for them,if you get the 03 04 motor turbo sounds a lot better on them but they go out a lot easier,along with the FICM fuel injection control module which these also go bad with in 100,000 miles..if you get the 06 up 6.0 diesel ford made these a lot better they don't have near the issues the 03 and 04 models do.

[SN95N/A]

And an EGR delete/block off kit would also be a good choice.

[Ranger50]

Flubs are EGR cooler, oil cooler, VGT turbo, and head studs for the factory head bolts.

[gouldstang]

go with a7.3, can't go wrong... I have a 95 with 335,000 and still truckin... watch the automatics, Ford had trouble with them too...

[93mustang]

go with a 24 valve cummins. or if you like noncomputer get a 12valve. they get great fuel milage and pull better than them all. and most all performance upgrades are half the price of fords and chevys. just have to worry about front end components, ball joints, u joints wheel bearings. same stuff that goes wrong with a 3 companies. just stay away from the fords; horrible turbos that push no boost and horrible fuel milage. oh yeah, 5 or 6 speed only in a diesel, unless an allison. not to knock on fords, but their powerstroke motor is a turd. a 6cyl d runs way better than that 7.3. the twin turbo powerstrokes had a bunch of issues. oh well, everyone has their own preference. hope this helps. by the way, i am a diesel junky. if you have any questions let me know.

[9cobra4]

I had no idea ford had a f250 with a cummins in it.

[87stangbbb]

I had no idea ford had a f250 with a cummins in it.
you learn something new everyday.lol

[89notch]

There is an f250 with a 24v cummins for sale on powerstrokenation.com

[RACEME]

another vote for the 7.3 here. I've had mine for 5 years. It has had the cam sensor and the injector driver module go out, but with all the online resources for these trucks, it was easy to fix. It gets 20 mpg and hauls/pulls anything I ask it to. The dodges have nice engines, but that is like dating a super ugly chick because she has big boobs.

[SN95N/A]

Stock turbos suck on 7.3? I haven't had a problem,no tranny problems here.this must be coming from guy who has never owned one.7.3 great motor and truck.

[05yellowgt]

The 7.3 is a great motor. Sure it isn't as easy to turn the wick up like a cummins, but other than the cam position sensor they are VERY reliable. The 4r100 trans is stout as well. The best year 7.3's are the 2000 through mid 2001. After that they switched from forged rods to powdered metal rods which don't like anything much over 400rwhp. The forged rods are good to at least 500. There are a few good diesel guys on here that I am sure can help steer you in the right direction.

[mustangboy]

I've had a 7.3 Excursion for 6yrs now and other than the cam sensor which is now less than $20 and a water pump I've not had a problem. I've had a programmer, done several of the basic mods and last week added a new Garret turbo. I will agree that a 7.3 without a programmer is a turd but will wake up nicely with a tune. I added the turbo because I pull a 31' camper and was getting compressor surge on long up hill pulls and the garret cured that. However just doing a ported housing would have been cheaper I can never just do the easy thing. I also keep waiting for the tranny to go out but so far with 134k miles it is still doing really well. The biggest thing is to get guages to be able to monitor egt's, oil temp, tranny temp and boost. If you keep all those things in the right range you will be very happy with the performance and longevity.

[Sloney50]

On the 7.3 trucks a must is to bypass the stock tranny cooler and upgrade to a much heavier external cooler. Is easy to do and costs around $85.00. You will thank me in the future for this. Cam sensor and will probably have to replace the driver side injector harness. Overall GREAT trucks!

[pegasus]

cummins is a good motor but dodge trucks are shitty

i have the small turbo 99f350 and i love it i did the restor mod and it woke it up alot!

[07thorobrd]

Thanks for all the feedback guys this has all been really helpful. im leaning towards a 2000 F250 w a 7.3 L V8 OHV 16V turbo diesel. its got 113,179 miles on it. its 4x4 and an automatic. Its a crew cab w the lariat package for $19,000 what do you guys think about that

[pegasus]

Thanks for all the feedback guys this has all been really helpful. im leaning towards a 2000 F250 w a 7.3 L V8 OHV 16V turbo diesel. its got 113,179 miles on it. its 4x4 and an automatic. Its a crew cab w the lariat package for $19,000 what do you guys think about that

nice~! but 1st things 1st tranny temp gauge and after market cooler!

[holeshot]

The dodges have nice engines, but that is like dating a super ugly chick because she has big boobs.

hahaha!!!

[Flaming87lx]

I have a buddy that has a 94 or 95 7.3 turbo with close to 600,000... He had rearend rebuilt twice, tranny once, turbo once, and of course w/p's, belts, variess sensors but still pulls trailers cross country on original motor. He does all maintenence like he's supposed to and is going for 1,000,000 miles.

[93mustang]

i know a ford dont come with a cummins! i was stating get a dodge, which comes with a cummins.

[Katmandu]

what are the flubs that need to be fixed if one was gonna go 6.0?Oh...nothing major. :rolleyes:

Just many reports of crankshafts SNAPPING around the 150,000 mile mark!

Other than that, it's a great engine!

[Katmandu]

The one that is hiding a secret Cummins in between the fenders is the best Ford diesel. x2 :bigthumb

BTW, do everyone a favor after you buy it. For the love of God, PLEASE don't put an OPEN exhaust on it !! :HYF:

V8 Diesel engines sound like absolute SHIT with open exhaust! Even worse that fart cans on ricers! Now that is BAD! :eek:

[BigBadStang]

They all sound like ass without a muffler.IMO

[Katmandu]

They all sound like ass without a muffler.IMOBy ALL you certainly mean "ALL V8" diesels.

Inline 6 diesels (Cummins) sound incredible with a single straight pipe.

Put duals on a Cummins and it sounds like shit.... but no near as bad as a V8 diesel (and make).

[mustangbob]

1st or 2nd gen cummins; 12v have the p-pump which you can run almost any thing through. 24V are nice except when the VP-44 injection pump goes out but they are easy to up the HP/TQ by using a programmer like an Edge, and they do work very well.

[BigBadStang]

By ALL you certainly mean "ALL V8" diesels.

Inline 6 diesels (Cummins) sound incredible with a single straight pipe.

Put duals on a Cummins and it sounds like shit.... but no near as bad as a V8 diesel (and make).


By "all" I meant "ALL". From a 2 cylinder to a 24 cylinder, from an inline to a V, 2 stroke or four, single exhaust, split, or dual, I do not like the sound of ANY diesel running w/o muffler(s). I've been driving and working on class 8 trucks since I was 16, and I just don't like it, and that's my opinion.

[Katmandu]

I do not like the sound of ANY diesel running w/o muffler(s). I've been driving and working on class 8 trucks since I was 16, and I just don't like it, and that's my opinion.:coo1: :bigthumb

I don't like Green Eggs and Ham. I just don't like them, and that's my opinion. :HYF:

[BigBadStang]

:coo1: :bigthumb

I don't like Green Eggs and Ham. I just don't like them, and that's my opinion. :HYF:

Sam I am...:lol:

[Katmandu]

Sam I am...:lol::bigthumb I forgot that part! :HYF:

[Camaro86SHOCKER]

I have an 06 f-350 with the 6.0 and its been a great truck . Owned it since new and never given me a single issue.
I know the 03-04 6.0's werent the best but they had the kinks orked out by 05. I couldn't be happier with my truck and I would buy another one anyday.

[WHYTRY]

i got a 6.0 with 350,000 miles on it. with a shift kit an stacked tuners its been like this for about a year. im getting head studs an egr delete an injectors done to it right now. but to really make one last you have to do the egr delete an headstuds. after that they dont have many issues. unless ur beating them to death. i got 3 6.0's there all getting head studs an egr deletes. 2 are down right now an the 3rd is going when the others are done. i like the trucks but there a bitch to work on sometimes. my high mile truck will get a 12v cummins when it pops.

[WHYTRY]

I have an 06 f-350 with the 6.0 and its been a great truck . Owned it since new and never given me a single issue.
I know the 03-04 6.0's werent the best but they had the kinks orked out by 05. I couldn't be happier with my truck and I would buy another one anyday.

the 03 had the bigger turbo of them all an stock for stock they were the fastest. my 03 has 350k on it my 06 is a turd stock for stock compared to the 03. 06 has had some hi pressure oil issues an 2 sets of injectors it has 140k on it. there both tow trucks

[BigBadStang]

the 03 had the bigger turbo of them all an stock for stock they were the fastest. my 03 has 350k on it my 06 is a turd stock for stock compared to the 03. 06 has had some hi pressure oil issues an 2 sets of injectors it has 140k on it. there both tow trucks

Hot Shot's Secret (http://www.hotshotsecret.com/)
This stuff WORKS! I've seen what it can do first hand, and if for some reason it doesn't fix your problem, they'll give you your money back.

**I have no affiliation with Lubrication Specialties Inc or any subsidiaries**

[WHYTRY]

Hot Shot's Secret (http://www.hotshotsecret.com/)
This stuff WORKS! I've seen what it can do first hand, and if for some reason it doesn't fix your problem, they'll give you your money back.

**I have no affiliation with Lubrication Specialties Inc or any subsidiaries**


someone told me that stuff works. might have to try it sometime. i run a little bit of trans fluid in the fuel to help out some. every 2 tanks i run 1qt.

[BigBadStang]

someone told me that stuff works. might have to try it sometime. i run a little bit of trans fluid in the fuel to help out some. every 2 tanks i run 1qt.

Hot Shot's was developed for International when the injector problem arose when the engines were under warranty, but it'll work in any hydraulic injected engine. Not only will it clean out the "cooked" engine oil from the oil side of the injectors, it also gets rid of the same cooked oil in the turbo, so it spools up quick like when it was new. With the money back deal, you can't go wrong.

[Xowner]

http://www.fordcummins.com/ :bigthumb

[8NO4CYL]

i got a 6.0 with 350,000 miles on it. with a shift kit an stacked tuners its been like this for about a year. im getting head studs an egr delete an injectors done to it right now. but to really make one last you have to do the egr delete an headstuds. after that they dont have many issues. unless ur beating them to death. i got 3 6.0's there all getting head studs an egr deletes. 2 are down right now an the 3rd is going when the others are done. i like the trucks but there a bitch to work on sometimes. my high mile truck will get a 12v cummins when it pops.

What's all involved with the egr delete or is is better to upgrade the egr cooler?

[Gene]

Sorry for the hijack, but are there any good forums out there that focus on older diesels?

I'm in the market for a truck, but I really hate the look (and the price) of any of the newer diesels...they all look like cartoons or Tonka trucks. What I really want is either a Gen1 Cummins or a Gen1 Powerstroke. Any recommendations on good message boards where I can learn more on them and possibly find a clean one for sale?

[89notch]

Powerstrokenation.com

[69Cobra]

I just bought an '02 7.3 about 6 months ago. I looked for 8 months before I bought one just to find what I wanted (F350 single rear wheel, crew cab, long bed, lariat, 4x4). I can tell you this. They can't give away a 6.0L. The 7.3's are de-tuned from the factory compared to the 6.0L that's why the 6.0L sold like hot cakes when they were new. Mine has the 6637 CAI, 4" turbo back exhaust, gauges, a DP-Tuner.com tuner (which I recommend over anything out there btw) and a John Wood valve body. I want to put a nice 3 disc torque converter in it and the tranny should be good for anything I'll ever do with it. Its now getting 25 mpg on average between highway and city driving and I'm not easy on it. That's up from 14.5 from when I first bought it. The cummins is probably the best engine out there but there's not enough of a differents for me to want to drive a dodge everyday. The new Ford 6.7 has been outstanding so far. A guy out by me has a 08 6.4 and a new 6.7 and the 6.7 is getting 25 mpg and just flat runs strong with 400 factory hp and 800 factory ft. lbs of torque. He has nothing but good to say. Check out Powerstrokenation as well as Ford Truck Enthusiasts www.ford-trucks.com Good Luck!

[WHYTRY]

What's all involved with the egr delete or is is better to upgrade the egr cooler?

aftermarket coolers arent to cheap an the delete is a one time deal. saves money in the long run.

[Katmandu]

Sorry for the hijack, but are there any good forums out there that focus on older diesels?www.Ford-Truck.com

Great website/forum.

Just cruise www.Craigslist.com , www.Cars.com and of course www.EBay.com :bigthumb


FYI, when you do buy a Diesel, make sure it has an OVERDRIVE transmission found on 1987+ trucks.

I used to own a great 86 F250 4x4 Ext.Cab long bed. It had a 6.9L pre-PowerStroke with a C6 auto trans. I used HATE driving that thing on the highway! There isn't anything worse than listing to a diesel engine sound like it's straining (actuall wasn't) on long road trips! VERY, VERY annoying. :mad:

In hindsite, I should kept the bastard and slapped an AOD in it. :rolleyes:

[fastone]

I got an 04 6.0 that pulled a 18,000 horse trailer with no problems 8 hrs to PA and back. The 6.0 is A BETTER motor than the 7.3. But if you don't take care of it, or try to put a chip in it that doesn't tune the transmission too, you will have problems. I have 4" turbo back exhaust, no cat, head studs, egr cooler, coolant filter, and bully dog cold air intake. I love the truck, but probably with be trading in for a 2011 next spring. They are the shit, and Ford has had very few problems with them. Also as for the cummins, during my PA trip, I was getting 14-16 miles to a gallon pulling that much wieght, the cummins 5.9's with me were getting 8-10 pulling 4,000 pounds less!

[Katmandu]

I was getting 14-16 miles to a gallon pulling that much wieght,What MPG are you getting running empty ?

[fastone]

Empty, 25-28 depending on how I drive it. Also with the trailer that was running 75-80 mph most of the way to PA. We went 71 north then across 76 to 80 through PA.



What MPG are you getting running empty ?

[Katmandu]

Empty, 25-28 depending on how I drive it.No joke ? What was it getting before all the mods ?

[fastone]

It was getting in the low 20's since I got it. It had less then 50 miles on it when it got the 4" exhaust and cold air intake. Just did the head blots, egr delete and coolant filter over the summer. Pulling loads, the truck doesn't work as hard to pull like it did before= lower EGT's by 200-300 degrees and about 5 PSI less boost. Couldn't be happier with it. But you have to keep up with your maintenance on your 6.0, if not, it will cost you alot to repair it. Also doesn't hurt to know a ford tech or two that does work on the side. I have paid 1/3 the price a dealer charges for my work on my truck.


No joke ? What was it getting before all the mods ?

[Katmandu]

It was getting in the low 20's since I got it. That's just phenomenal !

I was getting around 20MPG on a 98 Ram w/Cummins (modded to hell and back). It had close to 400HP and 950lb Torque. Biggest regret in my life was selling it.