I have been looking everywhere to find out the year they started putting powerstrokes in Ford trucks and just what the difference is between the old 7.3 and the 7.3 powerstroke. I am in the market to buy a F250 4x4 7.3 Diesel and no one can seem to tell me what the difference is or if there is one at all.

Thanks,
Rod

 

late 94 early 95 was the first powerstrokes I believe. it replaced the turbo diesel. which was a 7.3 idi with lowered compreshion ratio and a turbo. I believe. The difference between the 7.3 turbo diesel and the powerstroke is injection pump I think.
dm01

 

Along about the late '80s Ford started using the 7.3 diesel. It has always been made by Navistar International.

In 1992 they added a turbo to it, and called it the "Powerstroke" engine. It was still the same engine of course, just with an added turbo.

That engine was used until this year, and as we all know a new "Powerstroke" engine is now available.

 

Im quoting Quadzilla here from an earlier post I found using the SEARCH function.

"Let me clear up a little confusion: Ford has sold a few different diesel engines. The first that I know of was a 6.9 liter, normally aspirated engine. Then, they came out with a 7.3 liter normally aspirated, then added a turbo to that a few years later. This was in the early '90's. In mid- '94, they came out with the Powerstroke. It was only available in a 5spd in late '94, but in '95 they offered an automatic transmission in a Powerstroke truck. A Powerstroke is electronically controlled, and turbocharged. The previous 7.3 liter turbo wasn't electronically controlled, and wasn't a Powerstroke. The basic design of the Powerstroke has remained the same, with some upgrades in the '99 model year. Now, they've got the 6.0 liter engine, that is also called a Powestroke. If it's older than a '94, it ain't a 'Stroke."

So, the old 7.3 was normally aspirated and indirect injection too I believe. Besides being turbocharged, I believe the powerstroke is direct injection.

SMB

 

The Power Stroke didn't get introduced until 1994.5. Don't confuse the turbo version of the old 7.3 IDI with the Power Stroke.

 

According to my Haynes manual, the 7.3 Powerstroke differs from the 7.3 IDI in control, injection system, and compression ratio.

The Powerstroke is computer controlled, with electronic fuel injection control. The 7.3 InDirect Injection was mechanically controlled, with mechanical fuel injection control. Kind of like the difference between a multi-port fuel injection gas engine and a carburated one.

Not sure how similar they are below the valve covers.

 

Most of what was said is correct. The IDI turbo diesel lived until 94-95. Which in turn was replaced by the Powerstroke.
The difference is that parts are more expensive for one on the Powerstroke vrs the IDI. Also underneath the valve covers the internal parts are different types of material and the walls are not as thin.
Most people get more life out of the Pre Powerstroke engines than the later. You have less power on the IDI engines of course, but they seem to be a bit more reliable as they do not have as many electrical parts running the engine as the Powerstroke does.
Either engine is good it just depends on your preference as for the most part the 7.3 has been the same internally for the most part and is very similiar to the 6.9 of course.
I have an IDI turbo diesel 94 model and I dont have near the problems that my Powerstroke friends do.
So you decide on preference they are all Ford tough.

 

A few notable differences:

Compression for PSD is 17.5:1, IDI 21.5:1

HP was 210 hp @ 3000 rpm for PSD, 190 hp @ 3000 rpm for IDI turbo, and 185 hp @ 3000 rpm for IDI na.

Torque was 425 lb.-ft. @ 2000 rpm for PSD, 395 lb.-ft. @ 1400 rpm for IDI turbo, and 360 lb.-ft. @ 1600 rpm for IDI na

Power Stroke held 12 quarts of oil as opposed to the 10 quarts in the IDI

The injection on the PSD is electronically controlled direct injection, and the IDI is mechanically controlled indirect injection

These are definately not the same engines. Read all of the information in the link and you'll agree.

 

Well, how about that! My 250 does NOT say powerstroke on the side, it says turbo, but is clearly a PSD. It's a 94, 5-speed manual, and I was told when I bought it new that an auto wasn't offered when this one was made. It was a fleet truck that never made it to any fleet, and I snatched that baby up. 4X4 extended cab, long bed, takes forever to turn around, but I love my truck. I can tell you what those torque numbers mean, it'll tear a hercules bumper right off the frame if you're not careful! On another note, what is the most popular chip manipulation for this engine? Sounds like I have one of the earliest PSDs.

 

On the fuel bowl cover mine says Direct Injection Turbo Diesel and it's a Power Stroke. Only the 1999+ say Power Stroke Diesel under the hood, and I don't know when the emblems for the side of the truck changed, but mine say Power Stroke Diesel.

 

The emblem on the front fender didnt say 'Powerstroke" untill some time in 95. The 94.5 and some 95 PSD's just had 'Turbo Diesel' badges on the fender. But they are still Powerstrokes.
That quote from Quadzilla is correct.