The Ford Diesel Power Stroke engine has been a powerhouse for trucks since the early 90s. From humble beginnings in the 80s, the engine has gone from strength to strength and never looked back. Here’s a history of the power stroke diesel engine.
1982: Ford Partners With ITECH
Ford made its first diesel engines in partnership with ITEC (International Truck and Engine Corporation). The first model was the 6.9-liter indirect injection engine which produced just 170 hp and 315 lb-ft of torque.
This continued till 1987, when Ford built a 7.3-liter engine. While the model didn’t have a turbocharger, it was the predecessor to the Power Stroke engine. This design continued till 1993, and then the Power Stroke was born.
1994: The First Powerstroke Diesel Engine
1994-2003 was the golden era of the first Power Stroke from Ford. It had wastegate turbochargers, HUEI fuel injectors and an air-to-air intercooler. The Power Stroke engine was built like a horse, and then some. It routinely went to 300,000 miles and further.
The second generation of this design came out in 1997. That model is still considered by the enthusiasts to be one of the best engine designs ever. It often went over a quarter million miles.
2003: The Cleaner 6.0 Liter Alternative Engine
ITEC, now known as Navistar, built the 6.0-liter Power Stroke engine in 2003. New governmental regulations to curtail emissions resulted in this more compact design. With a new design with constraints came new problems. Certain parts of this engine were prone to failure.
Ford abandoned this design in 2007.
2007: The Quiet Beast
Ford and Navistar’s final partnership came in the form of the 6.4-liter Power Stroke in 2007. This engine featured a common rail system and piezo-electric injectors. Twin sequential turbochargers provided a boost. It produced 350 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque.
It successfully met the diesel engine regulations of the time, and reduced emissions. However, a major complaint of this model was the poor fuel efficiency. The engine was quiet, and produced more power than its predecessor though.
However, like its predecessor, the engine was produced for only 4 years. Navistar and Ford’s partnership came to an end in 2010. It was time for a fundamental change in the evolution of the power stroke diesel engine.
2011: Ford’s Own Power Stroke
Ford’s own Power Stroke engine came out in 2011. It had a 6.7-liter capacity, Dual-Boost variable geometry turbo and a water to air intercooler. Several features like Instant Start, and a graphite iron engine block, made the engine an instant favorite. It was 160 pounds lighter than its predecessor, but still used the common rail injection system.
While initially producing 390 hp with 735 lb-ft of torque, in 2017, the engine’s peak torque rose to 925 lb-ft. Horsepower also grew, to 440.
2021 Onwards: The Future of the Ford Power Stroke
The world has become more sensitive to the dangers of emissions to the planet Hence, the power stroke diesel engine may not be in for a huge power bump any time soon.
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