7.5 vs 7.3

So I am comparing a bunch of F350's and I got to comparing the specs of the 7.3 vs the 460. Keep in mind the 7.3 is non-power stroke.

460
HP-230 TQ-390

7.3
HP-180 TQ-345

So why would you run an oil burner? Is the fuel economy that much better? The 460 would be cheaper to rebuild if needed as well, right? Much more performance upgrades for the 460 too.

Now once you put a turbo on it things change quite a bit, but they are out of my price range!

Bill

Bill, I can only give my experience and opinion. The Service trucks I drove with Ryder, two of which I will compare.
One was an E350, carbded 460 gas burner, C6, box 16 ft body loaded with tools, compressor, 35 gal fresh oil, Miller welder,etc., in other words, HEAVY. I put over 225000 mi on this truck. Ocas. tune ups, one trans rebuild, one rear end replacement, usual up keep. Gas milege 6.8 to 8.1 most times running it pretty hard.

One F350 SD, 7.3 non turbo diesel, 5 spd OD, all steel flatbed body with same load as above. I put 210000 on this truck. One radiator, $620, 3 water pumps, $95 ea, 3 alt, $110 ea, one starter, $125, one Trans, $2000 dont remember how much clutch, PP and flywheel was. Truck was weak, top speed at governed RPM, (3800) was 70 MPH downhill.Fuel milage was 8.8 to9.9.

Later trucks were 7.3 PS with auto OD, E350 with same loads, their fuel milage was 9.0 to 11. Carried loads real well at any speed you were brave enough to drive the weaving wobbling SOB. The weight made them seem extremely top heavy and were a handfull in a crosswind and curves as was the gas burner too. The F350 had a straight front axle and handled beautifully even with the weight, but rode like a ground slide.

With the difference in the price of fuel and gas plus the difference in price of maintenance and parts costs, the gas burner was ahead IMO, plus, I liked the quietness, ease of starting, (cold weather) compared to the non turbo 7.3.
Again, this is my experience and opinion, not going to argue with anyone.

non PS vs 460, I'd be inclinde to choose the 460.

IMO as far a Diesel vs Gas, you need to look at how your going to use it, alot of short trips, around town and occasional towing = GAS, limited short trips, long hauls, heavy weight and alot of towing = DIESEL.

Most people who buy Deisel Trucks, Think they need to have them because they are "Cool" "Biggest on the Block" and "Wow"...... Infact they are not doing themself any favors and infact alot of them are giving the deisel stuff a bad rap because they pussy foot around with them and have issues because they don't us them like they are designed to be used, LIKE A REAL TRUCK, not grocery getters and 1/4 mile to sunday church.

I also wouldn't waste time on a NON-turbo Deisel, unless it was dirt cheap, great condition and I have realistic expectations of its ability.

Bill, I like IDI's but i only had a Turbo'd one.
one thing that is always an issue with fuel economy on the IDI's is the return lines leaking. its common (cheap to fix) but no one seems to want to do it. Orings...(ford only parts) and injector hats can be had cheap.
I agree with the fact that if you get an IDI, you'll want a turbo on there. Theres guys that just with the pump and timing can make an IDI non T really work but no one wants to work on these things anymore.
If no turbo... I'd go with the 7.5.

BTW my average fuel economy was about 15mpg with the turbo IDI

My dad had some of those pre turbo diesel and they were as gutless as the day was long. I would buy a 460 in a heart beat. No stink, no John Deere sound effects and with a few mods the power can be increased considerably.

Thanks guys, that all makes good sense.

I guess I will narrow my search some!! We do tow quite a bit but it is only a 3,500# trailer. Most of the trips are fairly close too. I know what Dave is saying with the short trips. The oil burners don't like 'em! And it sucks to shut it off in the Tim Horton's drive thru so they can hear you!!!

I know of a place that can help a guy build a pretty mean 460 for pulling.......what a great site this is!!

Bill

This is my "been there-done that" experience.
I had a '93 IDI 7.3 non turbo in my Crew Cab 4x4. I bought the truck because it looked awesome.
Unfortunately it had the 7.3. Big mistake. I'll never buy another non turbo 7.3 again. Absolute dog. My 84 Crew Cab 460 is so much better for what I use it for.

I bought a 2003 turbo 7.3 PSD for the reason I got so freakin tired of hooking up a gas pickup to the trailer and not being able to pull the hat off your head.... But I never had a 460 in one either but I knew it would be a working truck so I went Diesel..... I love it it doesn't even know when you load it down what ever I hook it up to it pulls it n/p......... and beats the Hell out of the 6, to 8 mpg the gas burners got....loaded


Randy

7.5 vs a 7.3 idi, go with the 7.5.

7.3 di is a whole different story................

83-88T-Bird Guy wrote:This is my "been there-done that" experience.
I had a '93 IDI 7.3 non turbo in my Crew Cab 4x4. I bought the truck because it looked awesome.
Unfortunately it had the 7.3. Big mistake. I'll never buy another non turbo 7.3 again. Absolute dog. My 84 Crew Cab 460 is so much better for what I use it for.

That IS a very good looking truck!!

Maybe a 460 swap would be in order!!

Bill

the Coug wrote:I bought a 2003 turbo 7.3 PSD for the reason I got so freakin tired of hooking up a gas pickup to the trailer and not being able to pull the hat off your head.... But I never had a 460 in one either but I knew it would be a working truck so I went Diesel..... I love it it doesn't even know when you load it down what ever I hook it up to it pulls it n/p......... and beats the Hell out of the 6, to 8 mpg the gas burners got....loaded


Randy

I hear the gutless part, I had an 84 F350 with a 351W on PROPANE!! This thing was weak. I used to joke that you just put your foot to the floor and let off when you get there. I put over 300K on it though.

I have to think a guy could build a nice low end power 460 that would have good pulling power and still get pretty good mpg. BUT the diesel will pull like a bear when the turbo starts to spool......

I'm thinking that the 460 would be best for my application, not a big heavy trailer, quite a few short trips, not many hills, freeeeeezing cold winters.

I appreciate all the input folks!!

Bill

FWIW,.....

I've had two different 1st generation (95-97) 7.3 PowerStrokes and they've been awesome pulling machines, ....... especially my 97 that I've done a little work to.

BUT,......if you take a gasser and add a power-adder (supercharger or turbo) [especially a turbo], it makes a world of difference.

Got a freind with a 393 & T-76 turbo in a F-150 (tow-pig) and it's deffinitely a stump puller.

Copperhead wrote:

Got a freind with a 393 & T-76 turbo in a F-150 (tow-pig) and it's deffinitely a stump puller.

I had thought about that for my 84 Crew Cab.
Take out the 460 and put a 393W with some aftermarket heads and a select hyd. cam. My guess is that it would make as much if not more torque than the factory 1984 460.

My mileage with the 460 is a lousy 9.5 mpg towing the racecar.