Every engine has unique specifications that set it apart from others of its kind. The Ford 7.3 is known to be one of the heaviest Ford engines out there. So, how much does a 7.3 Powerstroke weigh actually? This engine from Ford weighs about 920 pounds or 418 kgs.
The weight of an engine doesn’t influence a vehicle’s performance. But even then, it intrigues vehicle enthusiasts all around the world. Ford alone has some heavy engines in their ranks.
| Engine | Dry Weight |
|---|---|
| 6.0 Powerstroke | 1100 lbs. |
| 6.7 Powerstroke | 970 lbs. |
| 7.3 Powerstroke | 920 lbs. |
The weight doesn’t affect the engine’s performance, but the engine oil does. The 7.3 takes both synthetic and conventional oils. The required amount of oil it needs to run smoothly is 15 quarts.
The 7.3 Powerstroke is one of the most reliable diesel engines ever made. It’s extremely durable and sturdy, which can be further enhanced by using 15W40 SAE-rated oils.
Let’s take a detailed look at the 7.3 Powerstroke, its weight, and other related details.
How Much Is The Weight Of A 7.3 Powerstroke?
Diesel engines tend to be heavier than petrol and gasoline engines due to having high compression ratio. The Ford 7.3 Powerstroke engine is not an exception to this either. It is one of the heaviest Powerstroke engines ever made.
The dry weight of 7.3 Powerstroke is 920 pounds. This makes it one of the heaviest Powerstroke engines ever. The only two Powerstroke engines that have a higher dry weight than the 7.3 are the 6.0 and the 6.7 Powerstroke engines.
The 6.0 is the heaviest of the three, weighing 1100 pounds. The 6.7 Powerstroke weighs closer to the 7.3, at 970 pounds.
The interesting thing is, despite widespread interest in an engine’s weight, it does not affect whatsoever on the engine’s performance. One thing that does affect an engine’s performance is the engine oil. This brings us to…
What Type Of Engine Oil Does A 7.3 Powerstroke Take?
The 7.3 takes both conventional and synthetic engine oils. But it’s best to use synthetic oils for two reasons:
1. Durability:
Synthetic oils last a lot longer than conventional oils. The drain interval for conventional oils is almost a third of that of synthetic oils. Also, conventional oils don’t have any additives that make synthetic oils stronger. So, they have to be changed more often than their synthetic counterparts.
2. Cleaning The Engine:
Another advantage synthetic oils have over conventional ones is their ability to clean the engine. Synthetic engine oils have various components in them that prevent deposits or sludge from forming.
Even if deposits do form, these components clean them up, prolonging the engine life. This quality is absent from conventional oils.
What Is The Correct Viscosity For A 7.3 Powerstroke Engine Oil?
Since the 7.3 Powerstroke is installed in heavy-duty vehicles, they need engine oil with the right viscosity to protect them. It’s best to use SAE rating 15W40 oils for a 7.3 V8 Ford engine.
15W40 oils have a higher high-temperature viscosity of 40, which enables the oil to provide perfect lubrication to the engine in hot weather. Also, the low-temperature viscosity of 15 makes it possible for the oil to provide a thick layer of lubricants between the engine parts.
Being thicker also has another advantage. Since engines create a lot of heat, thinner oils tend to evaporate. As a result, the engine suffers from a lack of lubricants. This is not the case with 15W40 oil, since they are resistant to being evaporated.
Is The 7.3 Powerstroke Reliable?
The 7.3 is the most reliable diesel engine Ford has ever produced. Even after its discontinuation, in 2003, Ford hasn’t been able to manufacture another Powerstroke engine which is as reliable as the 7.3.
The reasons the Ford 7.3 is so reliable are:
- Not being too powerful
- Absence of emission controls
- The Fuel Injection System’s durability
- The durability of the injectors
- Not being overheated
- Presence of 6 bolts in every cylinder
- The simplicity of the design
- The oil cooler is located on the exterior
>> You can learn more about the reliability of the 7.3 Powerstroke here.
Maintenance Of The 7.3 Powerstroke
To keep the 7.3 Powerstroke running smoothly and to reap the full rewards of its durability, you must regularly perform maintenance on the engine. Here is a table that shows how often you should perform maintenance on a 7.3 Powerstroke:
| Components | When to perform maintenance |
|---|---|
| Engine Oil and the Oil filter | Every 7500 miles on average |
| Fuel Filter | Every 15000 miles |
| Coolant | Initially after the first 105000 miles, then every 45000 miles |
| Checking the strength of Coolant | Every 15000 miles. |
Here you can see how you can change the oil in your 7.3 Powerstroke.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How Many Miles Does A 7.3 Last?
The 7.3 Powerstroke from Ford is one of the most durable diesel engines ever. Even an unmodified 7.3 Powerstroke lasts for about 400000 to 500000 miles with regular maintenance. Its durability can be attributed to its robust design, low speed, etc.
2. Why Did Ford Stop Making The 7.3 Diesel?
After 10 years of production, Ford discontinued its 7.3 Powerstroke in 2003. There are two reasons for the discontinuation of this legendary engine. First, the engine failed to meet the newly imposes emission standards. Then it also failed to meet the noise regulations in California.
Final Words
Since it is one of the heaviest engines Ford ever made, it’s natural to ask ‘How much does a 7.3 Powerstroke weigh?’ This engine weighs 920 pounds which does not affect its performance. This engine’s performance and reliability depend on factors such as engine oil, lack of overwhelming power, etc.
The best oils for a 7.3 Powerstroke are the synthetic 15W40 ones which give it superior lubrication. The engine lasts a long time even without being modified and with minimal maintenance.
