Ford 7.3 Godzilla

[zhandfull]

Was think about this thread today. Newer bucket truck at work with 7.3 and 28k miles just eat a lifter.

 

[CLdrinker]

Was think about this thread today. Newer bucket truck at work with 7.3 and 28k miles just eat a lifter.

Seems the trucks that idle allot are the ones eating lifters. Do you idle it allot to turn the pto for the bucket?

Mine lost a fuel pump. Other than that still love it.

 

[Dr Rob]

Seems the trucks that idle allot are the ones eating lifters. Do you idle it allot to turn the pto for the bucket?

Mine lost a fuel pump. Other than that still love it.

61000 miles and no issues.

 

[zhandfull]

Seems the trucks that idle allot are the ones eating lifters. Do you idle it allot to turn the pto for the bucket?

Mine lost a fuel pump. Other than that still love it.

They do idle a lot. All city driving too.

 

[Runs2rch]

Seems the trucks that idle allot are the ones eating lifters. Do you idle it allot to turn the pto for the bucket?

Mine lost a fuel pump. Other than that still love it.

None of these should be happening though.

 

[OCMerrill]

Was think about this thread today. Newer bucket truck at work with 7.3 and 28k miles just eat a lifter.

Hopefully the entire engine was or gets replaced. Once metal is in there the entire engine will eventually go south.

Agree this shouldn't be happening at all. Roller lifters have been around for decades. It happens with all the big three and I don't get it.
With GM its AFM, with Ram its called the Hemi Tick. For me its called get you shit together and quit making disposable engines.

 

[CLdrinker]

None of these should be happening though.

Absolutely. But let’s not pretend it’s just Ford with issues.

Chevy has way worse lifter issues some transmission issues.
Ram has had lifter issues for a long time and break exhaust manifolds bolts constantly. The transmission behind the diesels shit the need constantly.
Ford has cam phaser issues, now lifter issues and fuel pump issues.
Toyota has more problems with the new TT V6 blowing up.

All new vehicles are piles of shit. Which one do you choose to roll the dice on?

I bought my first extended warranty because I knew if shit goes sideways it’s gonna be very expensive. So I just bend over and take it and pray for some spit.

 

[Bigbore500r]

Hopefully the entire engine was or gets replaced. Once metal is in there the entire engine will eventually go south.

Agree this shouldn't be happening at all. Roller lifters have been around for decades. It happens with all the big three and I don't get it.
With GM its ACM, with Ram its called the Hemi Tick. For me its called get you shit together and quit making disposable engines.

The biggest issue is the quality of OEM roller lifters from suppliers has gone to shit, since around 2018-2019. It got so bad that everyone building GM LS / LT motors was using Johnson lifters instead of the tried and true GM "LS7" lifters, at 4X the cost, for basic mild engine builds simply because the OEM lifters had gotten so skechhy.
The issue isn't GM or Ford on these low mileage roller trunion failures - it's the OEM suppliers who manufacturer these lifters for every mfg.

The Hemi does have issues with lack of oiling at low rpm killing lifters over time, and the GM AFM stuff has separate issues with the lifter "plunger" failing on the AFM lifters once they get higher milages on them - both of those are design issues, but alot of the 20k, 30k, 60k etc failures are simply shit lifters out of the box.

Hell....we built a motor for @Big B Hova a few years ago, and a brand new factory dealer-sourced GM lifter exploded within 200 miles!
That was the straw that broke the camels back for me - no more OEM lifters untill they get this shit figured out.

Same issue is affecting the performance lifter market, but it started way earlier.....
80% of the aftermarket retrofit (link bar style) "performance" roller lifters for BBC / BBF / SBC / SBF etc are absolute shit and explode.
There's only a handfull that builders will use these days, as the failure rates were thru the roof causing catastrophic destruction of engines.

I have the new cartidge-style Comp rollers in my new BBC, hoping they have it figured out now as they were the worst offender over the last 10 years with their older roller offerings....say a prayer for me

 

[CLdrinker]

The biggest issue is the quality of OEM roller lifters from suppliers has gone to shit, since around 2018-2019. It got so bad that everyone building GM LS / LT motors was using Johnson lifters instead of the tried and true GM "LS7" lifters, at 4X the cost, for basic mild engine builds simply because the OEM lifters had gotten so skechhy.
The issue isn't GM or Ford on these low mileage roller trunion failures - it's the OEM suppliers who manufacturer these lifters for every mfg.

The Hemi does have issues with lack of oiling at low rpm killing lifters over time, and the GM AFM stuff has separate issues with the lifter "plunger" failing on the AFM lifters once they get higher milages on them - both of those are design issues, but alot of the 20k, 30k, 60k etc failures are simply shit lifters out of the box.

Hell....we built a motor for @Big B Hova a few years ago, and a brand new factory dealer-sourced GM lifter exploded within 200 miles!
That was the straw that broke the camels back for me - no more OEM lifters untill they get this shit figured out.

Same issue is affecting the performance lifter market, but it started way earlier.....
80% of the aftermarket retrofit (link bar style) "performance" roller lifters for BBC / BBF / SBC / SBF etc are absolute shit and explode.
There's only a handfull that builders will use these days, as the failure rates were thru the roof causing catastrophic destruction of engines.

I have the new cartidge-style Comp rollers in my new BBC, hoping they have it figured out now as they were the worst offender over the last 10 years with their older roller offerings....say a prayer for me

Hell I remember Steve from HTM calling my dad saying they had lost a couple engines to bad lifters and telling my dad to go run the shit out of it to see if his was gonna shit the bed or not so he could know how far back in build date the problem started that was in like ‘02

Damn lifters. It’s not rocket science.

Wonder if Fords problem is due to the long period of low rpm running pto? Oil pressure issue perhaps.

 

[Big B Hova]

The biggest issue is the quality of OEM roller lifters from suppliers has gone to shit, since around 2018-2019. It got so bad that everyone building GM LS / LT motors was using Johnson lifters instead of the tried and true GM "LS7" lifters, at 4X the cost, for basic mild engine builds simply because the OEM lifters had gotten so skechhy.
The issue isn't GM or Ford on these low mileage roller trunion failures - it's the OEM suppliers who manufacturer these lifters for every mfg.

The Hemi does have issues with lack of oiling at low rpm killing lifters over time, and the GM AFM stuff has separate issues with the lifter "plunger" failing on the AFM lifters once they get higher milages on them - both of those are design issues, but alot of the 20k, 30k, 60k etc failures are simply shit lifters out of the box.

Hell....we built a motor for @Big B Hova a few years ago, and a brand new factory dealer-sourced GM lifter exploded within 200 miles!
That was the straw that broke the camels back for me - no more OEM lifters untill they get this shit figured out.

Same issue is affecting the performance lifter market, but it started way earlier.....
80% of the aftermarket retrofit (link bar style) "performance" roller lifters for BBC / BBF / SBC / SBF etc are absolute shit and explode.
There's only a handfull that builders will use these days, as the failure rates were thru the roof causing catastrophic destruction of engines.

I have the new cartidge-style Comp rollers in my new BBC, hoping they have it figured out now as they were the worst offender over the last 10 years with their older roller offerings....say a prayer for me

What I've read is the Hemi's don't like extended idling for what ever reason, and that's the biggest cause of lifter failure

 

[Big B Hova]

Maybe Ram / Dodge new twin turbo v6 hurricane will be the holy grail of motors , built with the best parts avaliable

 

[Bigbore500r]

What I've read is the Hemi's don't like extended idling for what ever reason, and that's the biggest cause of lifter failure

i.e. - Lack of oiling at low RPM

 

[bonesfab]

i.e. - Lack of oiling at low RPM

That's what used to kill the solid roller lifters back in the day before they had forced oiling to the wheels. relied on splash lubrication.

 

[CLdrinker]

Maybe Ram / Dodge new twin turbo v6 hurricane will be the holy grail of motors , built with the best parts avaliable

It’s an inline 6 I thought. Also it does not have an oil dipstick lol

 

[Big B Hova]

It’s an inline 6 I thought. Also it does not have an oil dipstick lol

Dipsticks are over rated

 

[AzMandella]

Well I am at 6715mi on my new 2023 F250 7.3 and could not be happier . When I first got it , it was a pretty rough ride . Got rid of the Bridgestone A/Ts and put BFG A/T KO3s on it and the ride improved 1000% . Prior to this truck I had a 1999 F250 7.3 PSD that I drove for 23yrs . This out tows it easily . I'm not towing crazy heavy anymore but new trailer is 7000 lbs wet . plus whatever in the bed .Don't even know it's back there . And pulling from Tucson to the cabin in Alpine is a altitude change from 3500ft to 8200ft . Lot's of 7 and 8% grades . Not a problem . Definately going to put a leveling kit on it . Maybe after I wear out these tires I will do rims . Only other thing it needed was a stereo . Did that myself with all JL Audio . C350,s in all 4 doors and a MDX 700/5 amp with a TW10 sub .

 

[CLdrinker]

Well I am at 6715mi on my new 2023 F250 7.3 and could not be happier . When I first got it , it was a pretty rough ride . Got rid of the Bridgestone A/Ts and put BFG A/T KO3s on it and the ride improved 1000% . Prior to this truck I had a 1999 F250 7.3 PSD that I drove for 23yrs . This out tows it easily . I'm not towing crazy heavy anymore but new trailer is 7000 lbs wet . plus whatever in the bed .Don't even know it's back there . And pulling from Tucson to the cabin in Alpine is a altitude change from 3500ft to 8200ft . Lot's of 7 and 8% grades . Not a problem . Definately going to put a leveling kit on it . Maybe after I wear out these tires I will do rims . Only other thing it needed was a stereo . Did that myself with all JL Audio . C350,s in all 4 doors and a MDX 700/5 amp with a TW10 sub . View attachment 1400479

View attachment 1400506 View attachment 1400481

I need a stereo badly. Stock sucks really bad.

 

[AzMandella]

I need a stereo badly. Stock sucks really bad.

Yes it does. I did the whole install myself .

 

[rivermobster]

It’s an inline 6 I thought. Also it does not have an oil dipstick lol

I've been out of the dealership network for probably over 10 years now?

Dipsticks were a thing of the past Back Then! It has more to do with emissions requirements, than anything else.

Everything about the oil was computer monitored back then. Including oil change intervals.

Intervals are calculated by how much fuel goes through the engine. And really, that's how it should be.

 

[monkeyswrench]

Hell I remember Steve from HTM calling my dad saying they had lost a couple engines to bad lifters and telling my dad to go run the shit out of it to see if his was gonna shit the bed or not so he could know how far back in build date the problem started that was in like ‘02

Damn lifters. It’s not rocket science.

Wonder if Fords problem is due to the long period of low rpm running pto? Oil pressure issue perhaps.

If it were just a low RPM oiling issue, seems like they'd just drop a tooth on the driven gear on the oil pump. It being chain driven, seems like the easiest way. With the lifter issues not being just a Ford thing though, I'm kind of leaning towards supply chain issues.

 

[CLdrinker]

If it were just a low RPM oiling issue, seems like they'd just drop a tooth on the driven gear on the oil pump. It being chain driven, seems like the easiest way. With the lifter issues not being just a Ford thing though, I'm kind of leaning towards supply chain issues.

Probably a bit of both. I’m on a few Ford forums and facebook groups. Most failures are high idle time trucks.

 

[CLdrinker]

I've been out of the dealership network for probably over 10 years now?

Dipsticks were a thing of the past Back Then! It has more to do with emissions requirements, than anything else.

Everything about the oil was computer monitored back then. Including oil change intervals.

Intervals are calculated by how much fuel goes through the engine. And really, that's how it should be.

Oil change intervals per the dash is stupid. Anyone that follows that I have no pity when you have failures. 5,000 miles is the max for me.

 

[monkeyswrench]

Probably a bit of both. I’m on a few Ford forums and facebook groups. Most failures are high idle time trucks.

I like the motors performance, but I won't be able to own one for some time. The only one I've worked on was an oilpan and pump job...owner hit a big rock. I like the architecture of the top end, not a fan of the oil pump configuration.

 

[Bigbore500r]

I've been out of the dealership network for probably over 10 years now?

Dipsticks were a thing of the past Back Then! It has more to do with emissions requirements, than anything else.

Everything about the oil was computer monitored back then. Including oil change intervals.

Intervals are calculated by how much fuel goes through the engine. And really, that's how it should be.

There's actually 2 good reasons for BMW eliminating dipsticks -

1) They end up in service so often, it's assumed they'll get an oil change and level check before the oil has time to get low or dirty

2) If the owner can't use their blinkers......WTF are they gonna do with a dipstick?

 

[Bigbore500r]

I like the motors performance, but I won't be able to own one for some time. The only one I've worked on was an oilpan and pump job...owner hit a big rock. I like the architecture of the top end, not a fan of the oil pump configuration.

Why Ford . . .. .why?

Maybe they didn't want the OHC timing chain assembly line guys to lose their jobs....

 

[hallett21]

Oil change intervals per the dash is stupid. Anyone that follows that I have no pity when you have failures. 5,000 miles is the max for me.

Interesting. I’ve always done 10k on full synthetic with no issues. Gas or diesel. And I let vehicles idle a lot. Minimum of 250k miles per vehicle too.

 

[TonyFanelli]

Let's just go back to the 60's and run some reliable muscle!

 

[CLdrinker]

Interesting. I’ve always done 10k on full synthetic with no issues. Gas or diesel. And I let vehicles idle a lot. Minimum of 250k miles per vehicle too.

You should buy a lottery ticket

 

[monkeyswrench]

Why Ford . . .. .why?

Maybe they didn't want the OHC timing chain assembly line guys to lose their jobs....

View attachment 1400518

I ask "Why?" no less than once a week when it comes to modern stuff. With the pump and pan job, it got creative. The guy bid it like a 460

When the parts came in, my phone rang. Owner assumed it was just a really pricey pump. When it came in a box that big, that's when he looked up the 7.3 gasser.

 

[AzMandella]

Bye Bye to the snow plow .

 

[AzMandella]

What leveling kit is everybody using and 1-1/2" or 2-1/2" ?

 

[CLdrinker]

What leveling kit is everybody using and 1-1/2" or 2-1/2" ?

If you tow allot 1.5. Anymore than that you will have to add a bunch of air to your bags so you do t look like your dragging ass.

This pick is no lift no bags.

I’m leaving mine stock as it won’t fit In The garage if I lift it a hair.

Make sure you get caster shims or you will be all over the road. Also 2.5” requires a track bar.

If yiu decide 2.5 is the route you want to go. Just go get everything from Carli. Probably be around $1500 for everything if you go with the bilstien shocks.

 

[CLdrinker]

Just a little update since my fuel pump fiasco. Been problem free since.

This thing is an absolute towing beast.

Just to stir the pot a bit. Here is a video of the 6.8 and 7.3 towing a 9,600lb 28’ enclosed.

 

[Runs2rch]

Just a little update since my fuel pump fiasco. Been problem free since.

This thing is an absolute towing beast.

Just to stir the pot a bit. Here is a video of the 6.8 and 7.3 towing a 9,600lb 28’ enclosed.

Cliffs notes the 6.8 was better everywhere? hahaha

 

[NicPaus]

Is there that much savings for Ford to build a new 6.8 instead of just using the 7.3?

Or does it get better mpg?

 

[CLdrinker]

Cliffs notes the 6.8 was better everywhere? hahaha

Both runs got screwed up by traffic. He hit the brakes on the 7.3 run.
Still shows the gas engines are no slouch 70mph uphill with a pretty large trailer is damn good.

 

[CLdrinker]

Is there that much savings for Ford to build a new 6.8 instead of just using the 7.3?

Or does it get better mpg?

6.8 gets better fuel mileage and is very close to 7.3 performance.
But the cost and fuel mileage is so small might as well go bigger.

 

[4Waters]

Both are absolute beasts

 

[2Driver]

Bye Bye to the snow plow .
View attachment 1401004

I did the same thing but put on a tremor valance. A guy on youtube did a before and after and lost 1mpg. While I was at it I raised the hitch up 6”.

 

[CLdrinker]

I did the same thing but put on a tremor valance. A guy on youtube did a before and after and lost 1mpg. While I was at it I raised the hitch up 6”.

View attachment 1457858

Raised the hitch 6”

 

[2Driver]

Raised the hitch 6”

I did, between rewelding it higher and the lift it went up 14”. Before After

 

[CLdrinker]

I did, between rewelding it higher and the lift it went up 14”. Before After

View attachment 1457861
View attachment 1457862

I knew you were talking lift.

 

[2Driver]

I knew you were talking lift.

I rewelded the hitch 4-5” higher up in the dog ears

 

[2Driver]

So question for those in the know….

My rig is in RV storage.
If I dont use the truck for an extended time I was going to use the Ford app to remote start the truck and let it idle for 10-15 minutes to save the trip to the rv storage . Is that a potential issue?

 

[CLdrinker]

So question for those in the know….

My rig is in RV storage.
If I dont use the truck for an extended time I was going to use the Ford app to remote start the truck and let it idle for 10-15 minutes to save the trip to the rv storage . Is that a potential issue?

Don’t see why not

 

[Your ad here]

So question for those in the know….

My rig is in RV storage.
If I dont use the truck for an extended time I was going to use the Ford app to remote start the truck and let it idle for 10-15 minutes to save the trip to the rv storage . Is that a potential issue?

The exhaust won't get hot enough to burn off the moisture and crap that'll get caught in the catalytic converter. FWIW I never leave a running engine unattended due to some type failure that could happen. Like coolant, oil, fuel, fan belt failure.

 

[DarkHorseRacing]

I'm waiting for the GM 8.3 Megamax, and then I want to see what the aftermarket can get out of that displacement. Would be nice if they could ditch most of the smog stuff for diesels with the larger displacement motors.

 

[lbhsbz]

Maybe Ram / Dodge new twin turbo v6 hurricane will be the holy grail of motors , built with the best parts avaliable

Based on what I hear from my cousin who works for Stellantis....they're the worst piece of shit he's ever seen and are to be avoided at all costs.

 

[Runs2rch]

6.8 gets better fuel mileage and is very close to 7.3 performance.
But the cost and fuel mileage is so small might as well go bigger.

7.3 also gets the better variant of the 10 speed.

 

[CLdrinker]

7.3 also gets the better variant of the 10 speed.

Stronger yes. Better? Only when towing. Empty I prefer my 6 speed in my old 6.4 Ram.