Can some one tell me if the 7.3 was a trouble motor or was the 6.0. I'm looking at a 2003 super dutey and have no clue about fords.

 

Buy the 7.3. Especially in the later model years up to 2003. The 6.0 appeared in 2003 and had a troubled history during that year.After 2003,Ford worked the bugs out pretty good but still had head gasket trouble and water in the oil was the result.

 

7.3 good motor 6.0 no

 

Most 6.0 L issues came about because 1.) They modify their vehicle, ie. intakes, exhaust, chips or programmers. 2.) They don't maintain them. But yes, the 7.3 L is better in my opinion.

 

What?

6.0 had plenty of problems all on itsown.. Oil leaks probably being the most annoying, and repeat repair/s, which have plagued the 6.0 since day one and still continue.. Rear mains, rear covers, bed plates, thisexcluding the other points of bleed... And,, 'it don't drip off'!,, still constitutes an oil leak, and not what you should see on a 40-50K truck with 10K miles or so.. Sure,, when you bump cylinder pressure/temp up your going to chance making the head bolts longer, andmay result in a possible headgasket leak, or worse,, blow piston soup out of the tail pipe with the extreme tunes.. But, more than a few have puked coolant from the degas in OEM programming, and have needed a fresh set...

I personally love my truck (52K trouble free miles to date) and wouldn't give it up,, and have it bumped up some.. Not a drop of oil, or any other isses either to date, and its not because it's well maintained.. More like the luck of the draw.. But I have to say that MOST of the trouble I've seen with this engine platform IS NOTowner generated... Like chaffing looms, popping off CAC tubes, sticking turbo's, EGR, turbo droan, and not to forget the 'hanging' drip..

I always advise anyone that add's power to a 6.0 that it can and will be a risk ,, AS IS with any other manufacturer/diesel... Possibly more so with the 6.0 as you mention.. And that oil is cheaper than engines.. Not only the 6.0.

7.3 was a great solid performer, but had some issues in the early builds... The 6.0 and the new generation of diesels are much more high performance and aren't on the same playing field as the 7.3.. I will agree that the with all the 7.3's Ive seen come through here, the 6.0 has far out past those visits per mile of service life... Most being just just the average Joe owner and 'not' 10" lift 6" exhaust pipe crowd..

Not flame'n,, Just my 02....

 

Most of the turbo issues I see here are due to them sitting most the year, only taken out to haul their boat to the lake during the summer. EGR problems due to poor fuel quality or biodiesel. Oil and EGR cooler rotted from the inside out at 80K because they don't change their coolant. High pressure oil systems clogged with sludge from lack of oil changes. But this is just one dealership in the corner of the country and not the gist of the rest, can only go from personal experience working on these things.

 

the 6.0no is a junker. It is IMO doing ford in. It's rather sad too because the SD trucks are really nice looking but they just don't perform. the 7.3L was a great engine. I still prefer my Cummins to it but hell yea i'd drive a7.3. Heck I still get out my old 93 f150 with the 300 once in a while just so I can relive old times