I was reading the closed thread about the 6.7 owner who told the 7.3 owner to keep it. I had wanted to add to that thread but since it is closed I want to start a new thread about 7.3 strong points. Even though my 7.3 has been broke down for along time (see no start 7.3 thread) I still would not consider any other diesel engine in any Ford truck. My previous 99 f-350 6 speed flatbed dually had engine problems when I first bought it which was why I got it cheap, the dealer was honest and sold me the truck as needing engine work. It was abuse by the first owner of that truck that ruined the engine at 225,000 miles. It was used as hot shot truck and overworked pulling heavy loads which burned a hole in #5 piston. That engine still ran on 7 cylinders and was driven to the independent shop that did an engine swap for me with a used 2000 7.3 from an International truck that had been wrecked. It was cheaper at that time to install the used engine than rebuilding mine. With that engine I got ten years and 100,000 miles out of it with nothing but oil and filter changes and one cam position sensor. It was driven alot and hauled many heavy loads, and was only sold to downsize to a smaller super cab short bed with 7.3 and still 6 speed trans. I will repair the 7.3 and drive it for the rest of my years because the new trucks don't come with 7.3s or manual transmissions. My other diesel was a 89 OBS 7.3 IDI 5 speed dually which also was trouble free in the time I had it till it was traded in on the 99 dually.

 

Good enough reason there. I can't really replace my truck with anything much newer and still keep the same config.