The history of the Ford Power Stroke engine dates back to 1994. Before the first generation of the Power Stroke engine, there was the 6.9 liter IDI, which was produced from 1982 to 1987. This engine was developed in cooperation with the International Truck and Engine Corporation.
The first generation Power Stroke engine, known as the 7.3 liter Power Stroke engine, was introduced in 1994. The 6.0-liter and 6.7-liter Power Stroke engines were introduced in 2003 and 2011 as the second and fourth generation Power Stroke engines. The latest additions are the 3.2-liter and 3.0-liter Power Stroke.
This article goes into the history of the Ford Power Stroke engine and the characteristics of each engine.
Generations of Ford Powerstroke engines
Before we dive into the main article, here is a table summarizing the history of the Powerstroke diesel engine.
| Generation | Engine model | years of production |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7,3 l | 1994 – 2003 |
| 2 | 6,0 l | 2003-2007 |
| 3 | 6,4 l | 2008 – 2010 |
| 4 | 6,7 l | 2011 to present |
| 5. | 3,2 l | 2015 to present |
| 6. | 3,0 l | 2018 to present |
Who Makes the Power Stroke Motor?
FordAndITEC(International Truck and Engine Corporation, ITEC is owned byNavistar) formed a diesel engine manufacturing partnership in 1982.
The Ford power-hub story begins with the 6.9-liter IDI engine; it had 170 hp and 315 lbs of torque. This engine was produced until 1987 when the 7.3 liter IDI engine replaced it.
The 7.3-liter Powerstroke followed in 1994; It had a turbocharger and upgraded interior. This was the start of a revolution in the motor world.
History of Ford's Power Stroke engine:
The 7.3-liter Powerstroke
The 7.3 liter IDI engine, which had been in use since the 1980s, was replaced in 1994 by the 7.3 liter Powerstroke engine. It had a cast iron block, cylinder heads, a high pressure oil pump and a common rail fuel injection system.
These modifications allowed the engine to produce more power and torque than the IDI engine while improving fuel efficiency and reducing emissions.
Ford released a new version of the engine in 2001, which featured a more powerful turbocharger, air cooler and fuel injectors. These improvements increased its output to 275 hp and 525 lb-ft of torque.
The engine received a new high-pressure and low-pressure oil pump in 2003 and other improvements that increased its durability and reliability. The 7.3 liter Powerstroke was phased out in 2003 but remains the best Powerstroke engine ever made.
The 6.0-liter Powerstroke
Navistar, formerly known as ITEC, worked with Ford in 2003 to develop the 6.0 liter Powerstroke engine. Stricter emissions regulations led to the decision to abandon the popular 7.3 liter engine.
One of the most noticeable changes to the 6.0L was the change from cast iron to aluminum for the engine block and cylinder heads. This reduced the weight of the engine by more than 100 pounds, improving fuel economy and overall vehicle performance.
The 6.0-liter Powerstroke also included a high-pressure common-rail fuel injection system, allowing for more precise fuel delivery control and higher power output.
Thanks to the variable geometry turbocharger and emissions control features that contributed to better low-end torque and overall performance, the 6.0-liter Powerstroke produced 325 horsepower and 570 pound-feet of torque.
Unfortunately, the 6.0L was the worst of all Powerstroke engines. The most common 6.0L Powerstroke issues were reliability issues, particularly with the high pressure fuel injection system and head gasket.
In addition, the engine was prone to head gasket failures, which could lead to coolant leaks and engine damage. Many owners reported injector problems and problems with the oil and ERG cooler.
Ford issued several recalls and in 2007 they abandoned the 6.0L Powerstroke.
The 6.4-liter Powerstroke
Once again, Navistar partnered with Ford to produce the 6.4 liter Powerstroke diesel engine in 2008. With an output of 350 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque, they designed the 6.4-liter Powerstroke to be more powerful and efficient than its predecessor.
It featured several new technologies: a high pressure common rail fuel injection system and a variable geometry turbocharger. The 6.4 Powerstroke also had new block and cylinder heads designed to improve durability and reduce emissions.
Estimated life expectancy of 6.4 Powerstroke was around 150,000-200,000 miles with proper maintenance and use under normal conditions.
The 6.4 liter Powerstroke was discontinued in 2010 and replaced by the 6.7 liter Powerstroke. The cooperation between Ford and Navistar also ended.
The 6.7-liter Powerstroke
Ford introduced its homebuilt 6.7-liter Powerstroke diesel engine in 2011. The 6.7-liter Powerstroke includes a high-pressure common rail fuel injection system, variable geometry turbocharger, humidifier cooler and exhaust gas recirculation system, among other advanced technologies.
Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) technology is also one of the main features of the 6.7-liter Powerstroke.
This system uses diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) to reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, allowing the engine to meet more stringent EPA (EPA) emissions standards. Ratings for the engine range from 385 hp and 405 lb-ft of torque to 450 hp and 935 lb-ft of torque.
The 6.7-liter Powerstroke has received several updates to improve performance and reliability. For example, Ford introduced a software update in 2013 to improve the engine's fuel economy, and the engine was updated in 2017 with a new high-pressure fuel injection system.
The current 3.0L and 3.2L Power Stroke
The 3.2 liter and 3.0 liter engines are the most recent powerlift engines, having been released in 2015 and 2018 respectively. Here are some known facts about her:
● The 3.2-liter Powerstroke
The 3.2 Power Stroke engine is a five-cylinder diesel engine and was first introduced in 2015. Commonly known as Duratorq in many markets, it was developed for use in Ford Transit and Ford Ranger pickups.
The 3.2 Power Stroke engine is rated at 197 hp and produces 350 lb-ft of torque; The engine features a high pressure common rail fuel injection system, a variable geometry turbocharger and a water-cooled EGR system.
● The 3.0-liter Powerstroke
The 3.0 Power Stroke engine is a 3.0L V6 turbocharged diesel engine that produces 250 horsepower and 440 pound-feet of torque. It is used in light trucks such as the Ford 150.
It has lightweight graphite iron construction and cast aluminum cylinder heads. It also features a forged crankshaft with specially designed rods and bearings, a variable geometry turbocharger and a Bosch-supplied 29,000 psi common rail direct fuel injection system.
frequently asked Questions
Here are other related questions.
How long has Ford used power lift engines?
In 1994 Ford began using Power Stroke engines, with the first Power Stroke engine being the 7.3 liter engine. This engine was developed to replace the aging 7.3 liter IDI diesel engine.
What diesel engine did Ford use before the Power Stroke?
Ford used the 7.3 IDI diesel engine in its pre-Power Stroke vehicles. It came before the 7.3 liter powerstroke but was the forerunner of the 6.3 IDI engine.
What year did Ford start with the 7.3L diesel Powerstroke?
Ford first offered the 7.3-liter Powerstroke diesel engine as an option for its Super Duty trucks in 1994. This engine surpassed the previous 6.9 liter diesel engine in terms of performance, reliability and efficiency.
The central theses:
The Ford Power Stroke engine has seen many updates and modifications over the years. Each aimed to improve performance, fuel efficiency and emissions. For over 25 years, truck owners have preferred the Ford Power Stroke engine, which has been used in Ford's F-Series trucks since 1994. Here are some key takeaways:
● Developed in partnership with Navistar International, the Power Stroke engine was first introduced in 1994 to replace the aging 7.3 liter IDI diesel engine.
● Ford has made several significant engine improvements over the years, including new fuel injection systems, turbochargers and exhaust gas recirculation systems.
● The Power Stroke engine has evolved over 6 generations, introducing new features, improved performance and higher emission standards.
● The latest generation of the Power Stroke engine, introduced in 2018, is a 3.0 liter with 185 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque.