Although it’s hard to imagine now, owners of Ford trucks once didn’t give diesel engines any thought.
In actuality, it wasn’t until 1994 that the Power Stroke as we know it did. Even then, Navistar International only rebranded a line of engines that it had already been producing. Ford truck diesel engines, however, are currently some of the best in the world.
But that doesn’t imply they didn’t have a difficult journey to get here. Some Ford truck diesel engines are unquestionably superior to others, while some should be completely avoided.
In order to assist you choose the best oil burner if you’re in the market for one, we’ve put up this helpful guide.
What is the best Powerstroke to buy? is a question I frequently get asked, so I’m going to attempt to answer it. It’s practically impossible to provide a response to this query.
I have no idea who you are or what you use your truck for. I’m not sure if you’re towing a trailer or if you just want to ride around and appear attractive.
I’m not sure what you mean by “best.” I will go through each generation and discuss its shortcomings as well as what makes it good and what doesn’t in an effort to try to answer this issue.
Optimal Ford Diesel Engines
You should examine factors like power, dependability, torque, and towing capacity when thinking about a diesel engine.
While each of these factors matters when selecting a diesel engine, some may matter more to you than others.
When examining the Ford diesel engines, these groups are equally crucial. Undoubtedly, some perform better than others, but who among them is the best? We’ve done enough study to be able to recommend the top three Ford diesel engines.
Let’s look at them now.
Power Stroke 6.7L
Despite appearances, the 6.7L engine is considerably different from the 6L and 6.4L. The 6.7L, which Ford introduced in 2011 and developed internally, is constructed of cast aluminum and compacted graphite iron and features a Bosch common-rail injection system.
This engine is made sleeker and more powerful thanks to the excellent weight reductions provided by graphite iron. Compared to the 6.4L, it has a bigger bore and stroke as well as lighter heads and a slightly lower compression ratio.
It features four pushrods per cylinder as opposed to the 6.4L’s two. In conclusion, the 6.7L is undoubtedly the most potent Power Stroke ever produced.
The Bosch CP4.2 injection pump (8-hole nozzles) is used as the fuel injector in the 6.7L’s high-pressure common rail fuel system. The CP4.2 is famous for its capacity to generate injection pressure of more than 30,000 PSI.
The 6.7L’s emissions system additionally includes cooled exhaust gas recirculation, a diesel oxidation catalytic converter, a diesel-specific filter, and selective catalytic reduction.
Throughout its lifespan, the 6.7L has used two different turbochargers. The Garrett GT32 SST, a waste-gated variable geometry charger, was introduced first.
The low-end output of this turbo charger was lacking, and it occasionally had overspeeding issues. The 6.7L has been equipped with a Garrett GT37 turbo charger since 2015.
Compared to the GT32 SST, this charger is more dependable and able to handle greater power.
Even though neither can quite equal the 6.4L’s turbocharger’s power output, most Ford drivers would agree that their greater reliability makes up for the difference.
Power Stroke V8 7.3 L
The 7.3-liter Power stroke V8 was one of the most potent diesel engines on the market between 1994 and 2003. The 7.3 is still a highly potent engine today, with a maximum output of 250 HP and approximately 500 lb-ft of torque in its last years.
The 7.3-liter’s straightforward design makes it a dependable option for many buyers. Many folks have safely covered well over 300,000 miles in their 7.3 with without issues. Due to its capacity to tow up to 15,000 lbs, it is also a fantastic engine for towing.
The primary years with the 7.3-liter engine to steer clear of are 2001-2003 owing to early PCM and camshaft position sensor failures. Considering that this engine is an older model, it is advisable to obtain a CarFax report to make sure it has been well-maintained. It is also worthwhile to request maintenance data from the previous owner.
Want the 7.3-liter engine’s greatest years? You do, of course! Look at the models from 1999 to 2000. These models included connecting rods made of forged steel, which could handle the added power. You will also receive the most recent turbo with 3-inch pipe. With the right care, these years will be very useful to you.
The Power Stroke 3.0L and 3.2L Engines
Since the 6.7L, Ford has produced two further Power Stroke engines without the assistance of Navistar.
An inline-five engine, the 3.2L Power Stroke made its debut on the market in 2015. It is not the 6.7L’s direct replacement, but rather more of a lateral functional shift that places a greater emphasis on medium-sized cargo vans. For instance, the Ford Transit makes use of it.
The uses for this engine were explained to us by Ciocca Ford in Quakertown, Pennsylvania. They said that the 3.2L engine was developed for utility vehicles and is primarily used in SUVs.
The 3.2L, which was based on the Ford Duratorq engine (launched in 2000) and modified to comply with American pollution regulations, is marketed as the Power Stroke.
It is equipped with piezo injectors and a high-pressure common-rail fuel injection system. It has a variable geometry turbo, an oil pump with variable flow, and low friction pistons made of cast aluminum. This engine is renowned for its outstanding fuel efficiency and enhanced cooling under heavy loads.
Conclusion
Pickup truck ratings are mostly based on the engine size, which is defined by the amount of horsepower and torque.
Finding the best diesel engines is essential when selecting a pickup truck because the engine is probably the most significant component of this particular type of vehicle.
Keep in mind that a pickup truck’s ability to haul a load and accelerate at its best depends heavily on the torque and horsepower of the engine.
