If I look under the hood of an (early) '03, how can I tell by looking at the top of the engine whether it's a 7.3 or a 6.0?

I realize late '03s will have 6.0s - I just wondered if there's a tell-tale item (oil filter?) that clearly shows the difference between a 7.3 and a 6.0.

Thanks - Steve

 

The right ( passengers side) valve cover will have a sticker that says either 6.0 or 7.3 right in the middle.

 

Thanks! - guess I need more than a bird's eye view to tell.

 

At the front middle of the engine, look for two black caps with hex wrenching flats on the top. One will be smaller than the other. One is the oil filter cap and the other is the fuel filter cap. If you see these, it's a 6.0.

 

Here's what a 6.0L looks like under the hood:



And here's what a 7.3L looks like under the hood... minus the blue aftermarket fuel hoses:

 

I just look at the coolant reservoir. 6.0Ls ( as well as newer gas 5.4Ls) have it on the drivers side up closer to the firewall, and 7.3s have it right in front by the radiator.

 

The easiest way to tell isnt from under the hood, its from in the drivers seat... If you turn the key and it starts then its a 7.3. If it doesnt then its probably a 6.0

 

hahaha, good one.
but really, the 6.0 is not a bad engine at all. The 6.0 had lots of problems in its first 2 years due to ford rushing it to market to soon. But 2005-2007 6.0l had less recalls than the 7.3. Thats not to say that the 7.3 isnt bullet proof.

 

Ford didn't rush it. They still have the same problems through out just the techs learned how to actually fix the problem and not just the symptoms.

 

When the techs start doing EGR deletes and head studs on the 6.0L's, then they'll fix the problems. Until then, they are doing bandaid repairs.

 

Oh I know, which is why my EGR is being deleted within the next month. Headstuds will be a little while yet but they are in the plans

 

Hahahahahahaha