Is The Ford 7.3 Gas Engine Reliable? (Problems and Specs)
Back in the day, Ford stood for found on road dead meaning that their engines were not that great for the most part. However, Ford keeps on trying and the 7.3 gas engine may be the answer to their engine troubles or it may not.
Is the Ford 7.3 gas engine reliable? It is hard to say as the engine is fairly new and with all-new engines there are always bugs to work out. There seem to be problems with spark plugs and spark plug wires but the latest word is that issue has already been corrected. It may be a reliable engine, but it is too soon to tell.
To learn more about the 7.3 gas engine, its specs, and its problems, just continue to read our article. it has that information and more. Take a few minutes to see what the engine is all about so you can make an informed decision
Ford 7.3 Gas Engine 101
Ford 7.3 Specs Chart
| Category | Specs |
| Displacement | 7.3 liter, 444.9 cubic inches |
| Aspiration | Naturally aspirated |
| Cylinder Bore | 4.22 inches, or 107.2 mm |
| Piston Stroke | 3.976 inches or 101.0 mm |
| Block | Cast iron |
| heads | Aluminum |
| Valvetrain | OHV, variable valve timing |
| Compression | 10.5:1 |
| Fueling | Multi Port fuel injection |
| Horsepower | 430 @ 5500 RPM |
| Torque | 475 lb-ft @ 4000 RPM |
| transmission | 10-speed automatic |
Ford 7.3 Gas Reliability
It seems to be a reliable engine. Man owners and reviewers are quick to point out that the first run of these engines was rife with minor issues. Usually, it was the spark plugs and the spark plug wires that were damaged not anything major.
These issues were also supposed to be non-recurring. That means that once the problem was fixed, it didn’t happen again. However, according to some owners, that is not the case. Some of them had the same issue taking place up to 4 times.
It is going to be hit and miss if you have problems with this engine as other owners have said that they have had no issues and are enjoying the extra power this motor provides. They say it is a very good motor and the real problem is the lack of parts.
Whether that issue has been rectified or not remains to be seen. These problems could just be bugs in the system. The first production of motors and other mechanical items do get changes made in subsequent runs because of all the issues found in the first run. The second and third generations of this motor may be more reliable.
How Long Will a Ford 7.3 Gas Engine Last?
It is too soon to really say. Plus, no one is talking about this topic. They are more interested in the specs, towing capacity, and the power this engine brings to your F250, F450, and other Ford trucks.
The engine was unveiled in 2020 and it is still going through growing pains. Different bugs need to be weeded out before anyone can really estimate how long it will last. Of course, longevity depends on your driving habits, road conditions, weather issues, and how well you maintain it.
The last one is the most important factor in that list. If you do not maintain it very well, then it won’t last very long. or if your driving habits are on the harsh side of the scale, you won’t see it last very long.
Then, it depends on if you got a lemon motor or not. These models do not last very long and need to be replaced sooner than later. On the other hand, owners may see this engine last 20 years.
Is the 7.3 L Ford Engine Good?
This depends on how you define the term ‘good’. If your gauge looks at the power, then the 7.3 is a good engine. It is so powerful that it can tow up to 37,000 pounds. Or if your gauge included torque and JP, then it is a good engine as this motor produces top-rated HP and torque.
However, if your gauge also includes gas mileage, then you may have second thoughts. The engine is rated for a maximum of 12 mpg in the city. To most people that is not a sign of a good engine.
In addition, this motor has been tested using aftermarket supercharger products and it has been known to reach 1000 HP and up to 1400 HP using these products. That is a good sign of a top engine.
There is a lot of potential for this engine to perform above expectations but if gas mileage is your thing, you may want to shop for a different motor. This is not going to save you money on long road trips pulling your 5th wheel or travel trailer.
Our 7.3 Godzilla Review
While we like large and powerful motors, this recent addition to the engine lineup may just be too large and too powerful. Every engine has problems in its first production and those are generally worked out over time. The 7.3 will be no different here.
It does have a lot of power but sometimes there are limits and boundaries products should not cross. The 7.3. crosses those boundaries and that is not always a good thing. Most people do not need a motor that can tow 37,000 but people like power so it may be attractive to buyers.
In other words, this motor may just be overkill. It is a good engine once the bugs are worked out but is it necessary to go that large? The needs of the owners will never meet the full operating capacity this engine has built in.
Plus, it won’t save you any money. It will be good for towing your 5th wheel or larger travel trailer over the mountains but it will cost you a lot to achieve that objective. it is a good motor but it is just not needed. Bigger is not always better.
Common Ford 7.3 Gas Problems
The biggest gas problem this engine has is its miles per gallon rating. On a combined rating of city and highway driving, this engine only reaches 12 mpg. That is when it is empty and not towing anything.
When you add passengers, cargo, and a trailer, your mileage drops significantly. Some owners reported getting under 9 mpg pulling a trailer. The engine weighs over 900 pounds so that will be part of the mpg problem.
Other than that, there are no real common problems for this engine at this time. It is just too soon to tell what those common problems would be since the engine is new and there may not be enough sold to properly gauge the situation.
The second most common problem reported are sparking plugs and wires. This is not a gas issue but an electrical one as these two items can fail and stop the delivery of the spark to the motor.
Other incidents include cylinder scoring and stuck lifters but so far these are rare as are any catastrophic engine failures that have occurred. You may have to wait a few years to get a good list of common gas problems with this motor.
Full 7.3 Godzilla Specs
If you look at the chart above, you are given the full specs in an easy-to-read format. This engine has the power as its HP is at 430 per 5000 rpm and its 475 ft-lbs of torque at 4500 rpm. The motor itself weighs 920 pounds and it is a V8.
On top of that, its towing capacity is said to reach 37,000 pounds. This motor is the stock engine for the F450 and the F600 and can be an upgrade for the F250 and F350 if you have the budget for that upgrade. That cost is said to be only $2000 approx.
Plus, it is a pushrod and single-cam design motor. Ford is bucking the trend hoping this motor will be a winner. The cast-iron block should be dependable and durable given the amount of power flowing through this motor.
It is coupled with a 10-speed transmission so you can really get up those steep hills without really trying. This is all done without adding a turbocharger or supercharger to help aspirate the engine.
How Much Can The 7.3 Godzilla Tow?
1. F250 Gas 7.3L Super Duty Towing Capacity
-3.55 Axle Ratio: 13,000-15,000lbs tongue-pulling and 14,400-15,400lbs on a 5th wheel or gooseneck
-4.30 Axle Ratio: 13,000-15,000lbs tongue-pulling and 17,500-19,500 on 5th wheel or gooseneck
2. F350 Super Duty Single Rear Wheel Towing Capacity – 7.3 Godzilla
-3.73 Axle Ratio: 13,000-15,000lbs tongue-pulling and 15,900-17,000 on a gooseneck/5th wheel
-4.30 Axle Ratio: 13,000-15,000lbs tongue pull and 16,500-21,000lbs with a 5th wheel or gooseneck
3. F350 7.3L Godzilla Dually Towing Capacity
-3.73 Axle Ratio: 16,100-17,200lbs on both tongue pull and gooseneck
-4.30 Axle Ratio: 17,000-21,000 tongue pulling and up to 21,200 on a gooseneck or 5th wheel
(Information taken from - https://dieseliq.com/ford-7-3-godzilla-engine-problems-reliability-specs/ )
4. F450 - properly equipped with a 7.3 Godzilla motor
- Can tow up to 37,000
5. F600
- Can tow between 22,000 and 30,000 pounds.
The 5th wheel or gooseneck option is where you will be able to tow over 30,000 pounds. Most people do not need that much towing power but it does come in handy when you do need it.
Is The Ford 7.3 Gas a Big Block
There is no beating about the bush on this topic. Yes, the 7.3 is a big block motor and it displaces 445 cubic inches. With a 4.22 inch bore and a 3.98-inch stroke, you have one powerful and big motor.
The block is made from cast iron and is strong enough to handle all that power. All of this is packaged into a strong V8 engine. This motor is supposed to replace the 6.8 liter, V10 and the sound of the new motor may be more welcome than the sick hippo sound the 6.8 produced.
This motor is not embracing any radical designs or innovations. it is a solidly built engine that does what it is designed to do. Produce the power you need when you need it.
When you use the 10-speed transmission, you will find that it seems to be loafing and not towing over 6 tons behind it. It is a powerful motor that makes travel trailer vacations go a lot better.
Is The Ford 7.3 Gas Direct Injection
This motor is described as a motor with all new heads and port fuel injection system. This system is supposed to improve airflow and be simpler to maintain. It gets the gas to the engine to make sure there is enough power when you step on the gas.
Plus, this is an OHV or overhead valve motor that pushes the single-cam down into the engine a lot further than other motors. What this design does is allow Ford engineers to modify the motor only slightly to make sure it fits into different Ford truck models.
This design also made it easier for truck owners to go off-road. The dirty conditions of gravel and unpaved roads are no match for this motor as it is well protected against those elements.
Then they are saying that this may be one of the last big gas engines that will ever be made. The market is dictating the trend and it seems that the big engine displacement options are becoming a thing of the past.
This may be one of the last of the breed as different priorities dominate the market now.
How Much Torque Does The 7.3 Godzilla Have?
This varies as it will depend on the rpm but the numbers are good no matter how low or high the rpm gets. At 3,250 rpm, this motor can produce 425 ft-lb of torque. At 3950 rpm, you are looking to receive 468 ft-lb of torque and at 4,050 rpm, you should be registering 475 ft-lbs of torque.
The horsepower irises in a similar fashion as you can expect to receive 300 HP at 3750 rpm, then 350 HP at 3900 rpm, and finally, you should get to 430 HP at 5500 rpm. As you can see the power is there and it just may be too much power for what you need.
What this motor does is remove the light truck motors from contention when faced with medium-heavy towing or hauling tasks. The light truck engines will overwork when placed under tougher situations.
The 7.3 makes that problem go away. You should have an easier time with those medium-weight situations with the 7.3.
When Did Ford 7.3 Gas Come Out?
Ford started developing this engine back in 2016 but it took a few years before they could actually get it into full-time production. It is the standard motor for the F450 and F600 trucks and an upgrade for the F250 and F350 models.
The engine is said to have been released to the public in 2020. That makes it too new of a release to fully gauge its capabilities and abilities. It is also too new to really draw up any lists of common problems truck owners will face when they buy a truck with this motor.
Most likely, Ford is taking in reports and working to solve any of the problems that have been experienced by truck owners and this engine. It will take some time before all the bugs are removed and then the real tests will begin.
Where is The Ford 7.3 Gas Engine Built?
We have looked at over a dozen different reviews and articles on this motor. The content of those pieces does not focus on where the engine is being made but on the specs, the purpose, and comparisons with other motors.
But from what we are able to find out, this motor is American made and all the parts are made in America as well. Someone mentioned that the spark plug wires come from Mexico but no one really is talking about this aspect of this engine.
Other people assume the parts were manufactured in China but that has not been confirmed. The most anyone is saying is that this motor is made by Ford. The exact location is not mentioned in any of the discussions we looked at.
You may want to ask your local Ford dealer for the specific location it was made at, not assembled at, before you buy. That is if this information is important to you.
How Much Does The Ford 7.3 Gas Engine Weigh
This engine is a behemoth when it comes to poundage. It clocks in at 920 pounds in most formats. There may be slight weight differences for different models placed in different Ford trucks, but you can count on that weight total to be the average.
It is a good thing that this engine has a high towing and hauling capacity as this much weight would affect normal vehicles and may be too heavy for some towing situations.
The 7.3 Godzilla is a lot of engine which is why it was given its nickname. It acts like Godzilla when it comes to towing heavy trailers and going up those mountain slopes. That large of an engine will take a lot more oil and coolant to make sure it works right all the time.
To keep it in perfect running order, make sure to do regular maintenance on the engine. That will ensure a longer lifespan.
How Many Quarts Of Oil Does Ford 7.3 Gas Hold?
Ford says that the oil capacity for this motor is 8 quarts. That is the size of the oil pan. But they also say that when changing the oil, you are to pre-fill the oil filter and only add 7 quarts.
After adding the 7 quarts, you are supposed to start the engine for a short time and then turn it off. This build sup the oil pressure. Then you check the oil again and if it registers low, add another quart.
This engine only requires an oil change every 10,000 miles but that is under normal operating conditions. You may want to change the oil more frequently if you are towing and hauling items all the time.
The recommended oil viscosity is 5 W 30 and the oil filter is a Motorcraft FL820S. A 15mm socket should be the size you need to remove the oil pan’s oil plug.
What Gas Mileage Does The Ford 7.3 Gas Engine Get?
The news is not good here. The ideal rating for combined city and highway driving has been recorded as 12 mpg. This is not an engine you want under the hood when fuel efficiency is your goal.
The news gets worse from that point on. When towing or hauling, different owners have been reporting as low as 9 mpg with one stating he only got just under 8 mpg. This mpg rating seems to equal some very heavy Class A RVs.
What all this is saying is that you cannot have great fuel mileage and lots of power at the same time. Of course, your results may be different due to driving habits, road conditions, and if you do not tow or haul a lot.
Sacrifices must be made so check your budget to see if you can afford the dip in fuel mileage while having better power under the hood.
Some Final Words
The 7.3 Godzilla may just be the last or one of the last of a breed of engines that puts the power over the economy. It is an all-power-focused motor that delivers what you expect. So far, the common problems that come with new motors are limited to minor issues that do not cost more than $30 approx, to rectify.
The best idea is to wait a couple of years more until all the bugs have been discovered and fixed before buying your model. You probably will have a better time of it.
