By CarWhere Research · Updated
The 7.3 Power Stroke is the Navistar-built V8 turbo-diesel Ford used from 1994.5 to early 2003 in F-Series, Super Duty, Excursion and E-Series trucks, rated about 210–275 hp. The 2020-on 7.3L “Godzilla” is a different engine: a 430 hp gasoline pushrod V8, not a Power Stroke. Check which one a listing means.
Two very different Ford engines share the 7.3-liter label. The original 7.3 Power Stroke was a turbo-diesel based on International (Navistar) T444E, built for Ford from the 1994.5 model year until the 6.0 replaced it during 2003. It has cast-iron construction, HEUI unit injectors and a wastegated Garrett turbo.
For 2020 Ford launched a new 7.3-liter gasoline V8 for the Super Duty, often called “Godzilla.” It is a cam-in-block pushrod engine with port fuel injection and is also sold as a Ford Performance crate engine. It is not a diesel and does not carry the Power Stroke name.
| Engine | Model years | Fuel | Peak hp | Peak torque (lb-ft) | Documented problems | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994.5–2003 7.3L Power Stroke diesel | 1994.5–2003 | Diesel | 275 | 520 | 3 | 1 |
| 2020–present 7.3L gas V8 (“Godzilla”) — not a Power Stroke | 2020–present | Gasoline | 430 | 485 | 0 | 0 |
CarWhere lists 3 documented problems and 1 NHTSA recall for the 7.3 Power Stroke, each with a source.
International T444E-based 7.3-liter V8 turbo-diesel built by Navistar for Ford’s heavy-duty F-Series, Super Duty, Excursion and E-Series. Ratings varied by year, transmission and application.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Base engine | International (Navistar) T444E[1] |
| Displacement | 7.3 L (444 cu in)[1] |
| Bore × stroke | 4.11 × 4.18 in[1] |
| Compression ratio | 17.5:1[1] |
| Block / heads | Cast iron / cast iron[1] |
| Valvetrain | Cam-in-block pushrod, 2 valves per cylinder, hydraulic roller lifters[1] |
| Fuel system | Direct injection with HEUI (hydraulically actuated, electronically controlled) unit injectors[1] |
| Turbo | Garrett TP38 wastegated (1994–1997); Garrett GTP38 wastegated with air-to-air intercooler (1999–2003)[1] |
| Model years | Application | Horsepower (hp) | Torque (lb-ft) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994.5–1995 | F-Series pickup | 210 | 425 | [1] |
| 1999–2000 | Super Duty pickup | 235 | 500 | [1] |
| 2001–2003 | Super Duty pickup, automatic2003 automatic listed at 525 lb-ft | 250 | 505 | [1] |
| 2001 (late)–2003 | Super Duty pickup, manual | 275 | 520 | [1] |
| 1995–1999 | E-Series van | 210 | 425 | [1] |
"—" means we could not confirm the figure from a primary source.
| Model | Model years | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| F-250/F-350 and F-Super Duty (previous-generation F-Series) | 1994.5–1997 | |
| F-250/F-350/F-450/F-550 Super Duty | 1999–2003 | |
| Excursion | 2000–2003 | |
| E-Series vans and cutaways | 1995–2003 |
A failing camshaft position sensor can make the engine stall or refuse to start. Ford recalled certain heavy-duty trucks with the 7.3 diesel for intermittent sensor function (07V-553).[2][1]
Symptoms
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Connectors on the under-valve-cover harness can fail and cause misfires or stalling that are often mistaken for bad injectors. The injector driver module, mounted in the driver-side fender area, can be damaged by moisture.[1]
Symptoms
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On high-mileage engines the injector sleeves can crack and let fuel into the coolant. Age-hardened oil cooler O-rings can cause external leaks or oil and coolant mixing.[1]
Symptoms
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| NHTSA campaign | Reported | Vehicles | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07V-553 | 2007-12 | 1999–2003 Super Duty and 2003 Excursion with 7.3L diesel (per NHTSA vehicle listings) | The camshaft position sensor could work intermittently and stall the engine. |
A gasoline 7.3-liter pushrod V8 introduced in the Super Duty for 2020. It shares only its displacement with the old diesel and is not part of the Power Stroke family.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Power Stroke? | No — gasoline engine; Power Stroke is Ford’s diesel name[3] |
| Displacement | 7.3 L (445 cu in)[5] |
| Bore × stroke | 107.2 × 101 mm[6] |
| Compression ratio | 10.5:1[5] |
| Block / heads | Cast iron / aluminum, 2 valves per cylinder[7] |
| Valvetrain | Cam-in-block overhead valve (pushrod) with variable cam timing[7] |
| Fuel system | Port fuel injection[7] |
| Internals | Forged steel crankshaft, piston-cooling jets, variable-displacement oil pump[5] |
| Transmission (Super Duty) | 10-speed TorqShift automatic[8] |
| Built | Windsor, Ontario[6] |
| Model years | Application | Horsepower (hp) | Torque (lb-ft) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020–2022 | Super Duty pickup | 430 | 475 | [3] |
| 2023 | Super Duty pickup | 430 | 485 | [4] |
"—" means we could not confirm the figure from a primary source.
| Model | Model years | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| F-250/F-350/F-450 Super Duty pickup and chassis cab | 2020–present | |
| Ford Performance crate engine | 2020–present | Sold as a dressed long block |
Confirm a truck or car really has the 7.3 Power Stroke.
Engine, transmission and axle options are recorded against the VIN. The CarWhere build sheet decodes a Ford VIN into its factory record — powertrain, equipment groups and options as built. $9.99, instant.
The 7.3 Power Stroke diesel was offered from the 1994.5 model year until early 2003, when the 6.0 replaced it. It powered F-Series and Super Duty pickups, the Excursion and E-Series vans.
No. The 7.3-liter engine Ford introduced for 2020 is a gasoline pushrod V8, often nicknamed “Godzilla.” Power Stroke is Ford’s diesel name, and the only 7.3 Power Stroke is the 1994.5–2003 diesel.
Ratings rose over its run, from 210 hp and 425 lb-ft at launch to as much as 275 hp and 520 lb-ft for late manual-transmission Super Duty trucks. Automatic trucks topped out around 250 hp.
The gas 7.3 is rated at 430 hp in the Super Duty. Torque was 475 lb-ft at launch and 485 lb-ft for the 2023 model year.
Typical issues are camshaft position sensor stalling (subject of recall 07V-553), under-valve-cover harness and injector driver module faults, and on high-mileage engines, cracked injector sleeves and leaking oil cooler seals.
Ratings are Ford-published figures as cited; descriptions are CarWhere’s own summaries of the sources below. Repair costs appear only where a source states them and vary by shop and region.
Independent reference compiled by CarWhere — not affiliated with or endorsed by Ford Motor Company. Ford, Power Stroke, EcoBoost, Coyote and the model names are trademarks of their owner.