The 7.3 Ford Powerstroke, “Made” for WVO.
This 1994.5-2003.5 Ford Powerstroke Diesel is one of the easiest, reliable and popular vehicles to convert to WVO. These trucks are workhorses and relatively inexpensive. More importantly, they work great on with alternative fuels like WVO. Customers often call in and profess over 100k veggie miles on their 7.3s.
The best part of this engine is that the fuel travels through the piping hot fuel rails prior to injection. That means the Engine acts as a WVO Super Heat Exchanger! No need to super heat the veggie oil with extra add-ons. You only need to warm the oil for flow and have a good pump.
There are a host of WVO plumbing configurations, but the slickest way to convert this truck is the “dead-head” style, developed by FN74(Jason) and other forum members back in the day. In the deadhead style of conversion, WVO and Diesel fuel systems are kept separate meeting at opposing ends of the engine head, fuel rails. This system works by offsetting pressures and you don’t have to hack up your stock system to install.
Every kit manufacturer makes a WVO kit for this vehicle. The safest and easiest way to convert these is by the “Deadhead” system. Some can cost as much as $4500 w/5 month warranty. We have put together the basic components: WVO Designs Kit . It will cost you $2000 includes a 2 year warranty on WVO Designs parts and 5yr on the pump.
Features of the 7.3 PSD Vehicles:
* Inexpensive
* Nice array of vehicles that use the 7.3: SUV(Excursion), Pickup’s, Vans
* Robust engine going 300k+ miles
* Proven to run well with WVO
| Manufacturer | Navistar International |
|---|---|
| Production | 1994.5-2003.5 |
| Predecessor | 7.3 L IDI |
| Successor | 6.0 Power Stroke |
| Configuration | V8 |
| Displacement | 7.3 L, 444 cu³ |
| Cylinder bore | 4.11 inches |
| Piston stroke | 4.18 inches |
| Cylinder block alloy | Iron |
| Cylinder head alloy | Iron |
| Valvetrain | OHV |
| Fuel type | Diesel |
| Power output | 185-225 hp |
| Torque output | 350-375 lb-ft |
| Dry weight | ≈920 lbs (Dry) |
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-Jason Jelonek
Suzanne Bonham says:
Tuesday, March 19, 2013 at 2:27am
Hi = I notice on this link: http://ttravis5446.hubpages.com/hub/Waste-Vegetable-Oil-Fueled-Vehicles
they recommend avoiding the Ford powerstroke for WVO conversion. The reasons: for years 1994.5-1997 they cite “stock fuel filter issues” and for 1999-2003 they cite “fuel routing issues”. Can you please explain or shed some light on this – thank you very much! I am hoping to buy a good reliable diesel truck that’s suitable for carrying furniture and to go to the California bay area from Portland Oregon next month. Suzanne 503-816-5316
Jesse S. Liebl says:
Friday, August 17, 2018 at 4:59am
Did you ever get a reply to this?
Richard says:
Tuesday, December 10, 2013 at 1:31am
I have a 1999 and I modified it to run on veggie when it had 85,000 miles on it. There were no fuel routing issues that I couldn’t overcome. I now have 85,000 miles on this truck and it still runs great.
Sometimes people encounter what they believe is a problem and they are not equipped to overcome it. I believe these
“old concerns” have been overcome by others eventually. There are a variety of approaches that work — many are very good!
My guess about the older Fords filter issues you allude to is that some filter manufacturers used materials that may have been incompatible with vegetable oil based fuels. With biodiesel in so many states as a proven fuel, I believe many of the fuel filters that may have been problematic have since changed their filters to be tolerant of veggie based fuels.
matt mclean says:
Monday, February 24, 2014 at 1:20am
If i were to mod and use wvo in my 1995 7.3L powerstroke how to winterize for -35 or colder? I am new to alternative fuel and would like to learn more.
thank you,
matt
David says:
Thursday, July 26, 2018 at 12:39pm
I would be a bit skeptical of running wvo at -35. Especially if you are talking farenhiet vs. celsius. Even in warmer climates wvo needs to be thermally or chemically thinned to function at lower temps. I like to mix it 50/50 with diesel and it does fine until it gets down below 40°f (4.5°c). At -35° you might get by with a heated blend. If you do that make sure you have a separate tank and filter, with one running straight diesel rated for your winter temperatures.
Jeremy Peterson says:
Tuesday, May 23, 2017 at 2:54am
I am looking at a 2002 Excursion with a 7.3 ltr. After speaking to a seller with a 2001 which already has a WVO conversion from Golden Fuel Systems on it and has been running with a measure of success.
Is there a reason to believe that your system would be different than that of Golden which has proven to be successful?
Also, I am in Oklahoma but often drive to colder climates in Iowa and South Dakota in the winter. Is there anything significant that should be done with your system to account for the colder temps?
Thanks,
Jeremy
Kurt Uhlenhake says:
Sunday, January 27, 2019 at 2:14am
Hi! Leon this is Kurt Uhlenhake at Ossian , Iowa do you know anyone that I could hire to install your system on my 2001 ford f 250 diesel in my area 563-379-9345 1815 -125 th st. 52161 Thank You, Kurt