The 7.3 is a legend amongst the Powerstroke community. It can be tuned for significant power gains or simply be left bone stock with more than adequate torque. And they will last three times longer than any 6.0!

I would still look out for a 6.8 V10 though, since you mention you won't be hauling regularly. It doesn't have all the VCT issues that us 5.4 guys have, but I do imagine spark plug changes to be expensive.

 

6.4= garbage
6.0= hit and miss
7.3= great but hard to find

V10= for the money you'll spend on gas, you may as well get a new diesel.

 

I disagree on thr 6.4 being garbage. Granted, the egr strangles the stock engine but with a egr/cooler delete, intake,tune and exhaust it be a powerful well running machine that last a long time long as properly maintained.

 

That would be why. Most guys here beat them to hell.

 

I would take a 6.4 over a 6.0 anyday mpg on the 6.4 not good at all but way more reliable imo... 6.0 left me stranded 1500 miles from home with a 5 horse trailer full of horses

 

you just gotta strip off all of the emissions bull**** on these diesel engines for them to run better

 

I'd have to disagree as well. The 6.0 is a piece of garbage, and it takes a lot of time, money and effort for it just to run the way it should. The 6.4 on the 08-10 requires great lengths for maintenance but it isn't anywhere near as problematic as the 6.0 and it's built on a much better platform.

As with anything else, maintenance is the key. Unless it's a 6.0!

In my line of work, almost everyone has a diesel. I have seen many, many 6.4s being put to their limit, probably doing things that you would purchase an F-450 for. The 6.4s are a b***h to service but they were well engineered from the start. Hell, they have more potential than the current 6.7 Scorpion that Ford pretty much has nearly maxed out from the factory.

 

Look for a 6.8L V10 better gas mileage, less problematic than a diesel, parts are cheaper.

If I were in the market to get a diesel it would be 7.3, 6.4, 6.7, and 6.0 in that order. Lower mileage 7.3's are harder to find but if they are well maintained will last forever. 6.4's are very strong motors with not many common problems, but if something does go wrong you will most likely have to pull the cab. 6.7's are strong and powerful, only seen one long block replaced from lack of maintenance, also dont put DEF in the fuel tank thats not good lol. And last the 6.0 I think everyone knows that these motors run through head gaskets, only solutions for this that I've found is use ARP head studs and oem gaskets, and don't use a tuner they do more damage than good. Currentley have a cab off a 6.0 to replace the long block what a pain in the you know what.

All in all as long as you keep up with maintenance and know you are buying a diesel that has been kept up it will last a long time. Just keep in mind if you dont tow much you probably shouldn't need a diesel, the V10 will do just fine maybe even think about getting a gas 6.2L.

 

Got it right. This guy knows his s**t. Unless you're hauling heavy stuff on a regular basis, the 6.8 V10 will do. Yeah, it uses a lot of fuel but you're not driving a frikking Focus, right?

 

Thabk you so very much fellas!!! It definitely has influenced my purchase.