my father would like to know if the 7.3 powerstroke is a good engine. he found one it's a 99 with like 53000 miles and he's thinkin about gettin it. he knows that the newer powerstrokes are junk and that they have a lot of problems but he wants to know about the old 7.3s. so i need an honest answer here. i don't want him to get it but if it is honestly a good motor then i will tell him the truth but i need ya'lls input here to help me out.
thanks

 

They are solid motors. More complicated than the Cummins, but still pretty reliable.

 

The 7.3 is one of the best diesels out there. The week link in those years were the trannys.

The 99s were one of the last years with the forged rods, I think in '01 Ford went with a powdered metal rod.

 

I think it is a good engine, not as good as a 12V though,the auto trans weren't that good, but then who's were? Early 99's had a problem with the air box letting dirt get by, think there was a recall/fix, maybe someone else knows more on this. That few miles I would buy it.

 

I would agree with that. I saw one guys webshots of his cylinder walls during some work and they looked brand new- he had like 180,000 miles on the Navistar.

Mine was a great engine too, very strong in its rpm range and you can tach them @ redline all day with the right oil.


But when its tiime to do the injector seals get out the wallet or give up a long weekend.
And the downpipe.
And the cps.
And the air intake.
And the glow plugs.
And the fuel lines around the fuel filter.
And the glow plug relay.
And the , well, you get the point.

Pulled like a moose though... (4.10's)

Big Jimmy

 

I have a great one. 82k on a stock 2003 7.3 4x4 and never had a moments worry. We use it to pull tractors, forklift and such all day long.

Fuel filter every 15k, oil every 5000, tranny fluid every 15k, and tires is the only money ever spent on this truck. K&N filter cleaner.

It is my 4th 7.3
I switched to CTD because the 6.0 was first year release and it looks like it was a wise decision.
I love the CTD also, so much so that it will take quite a lot for Ferd to win me back.

Folks do admit that the interior space on the Ford dwarfs the Dodge. Thats my only hang-up about the Dodge.

 

My Grandpa has two of them. A 97 with 150,000 miles and a 99 with 70,000 miles. The 97 is a work truck and the only thing that had to fixed on it so far was the vacume pump a couple of times. The 99 is just as reliable. I think his Cummins which is in my sig. and will soon be mine still has them beat, but if you can get a good deal on the 7.3 i'd say go for it.

 

Cant go wrong with a 7.3

My uncles have two of them at 425 horses or so a piece. SOLID engines, however tougher to work on than a cummins... Id jump on a good 7.3 if i had cash or could find one..

Rick

 

The 7.3 non-powerstroke wasn't a bad engine either; neither was the 6.9 liter non-powerstroke. Non-turbocharged dogs, but good old dependable Diesels.

 

I wouldnt think twice about snatching it up, we run the 7.3s up to 300K before they go to auction, and all of them are still running great
say no to 6.0

 

thanks guys for the input. i appreciate the honest answers here. now the question is, what would be a good starting price ya think? i haven't seen the truck yet i will tomorrow and i will keep ya'll posted. but ya i was just curious what ya think would be a good starting price on a 99 7.3L Powerstroke, 4 door, 4x4. and that's all i know oh and that it has approx. 53K on it. so ya that's all for now i'll keep ya posted.
thanks again for the replies!

 

i had an 02 7.3 great truck i just kept going through transmisions. 3 in 2 years

 

they're not bad...if left stock they're fine...don't expect the same fuel mileage as with the cummins...

 

We have a few of them at work. Great trucks. Tranny will go out if it is abused just like any other tranny. Just be sure to use 4wd low when pulling or hauling off road and/or in extreme/bad conditions.

If you can get it for under 20K you got a great deal.

 

Some people have great luck with them - some don't (meaning me).

IN 35,000 well maintained miles, I had three (3) pages of warranty work on my 2001 F350 PSD.

1 tow, and would have required 2 more, had I not lived only a mile from the dealer, and was able to nurse it there.

Glow plug relay (no start on a cold morning)
HPOP lines (Exxon Valdez-sized leak under the truck). This was the tow, then it happened again 6 weeks later, but I was home at the time.
E-brake mechanism (not the cable, the mechanism). Was able to nurse it to the dealer with the ebrake on.

Clutch master cylinder. Push in clutch - stays in. Almost backed into my retaining wall and crushed my truck. Luckily, able to get it into second gear, and nurse it to the dealer.

As you see, it wasn't just the 7.3 - it was the truck too.

I just got a bad one, I guess, as I know MANY 7.3 owners, and they have had good experiences.