7.3 gas engine vs Powerboost

[Snakebitten]

You can calculate your actual curb weight by subtracting the payload capacity found on the sticker on your truck from the GVWR.

That's what I did.
So the Powerboost was a 7350 GVW

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[Samson16]

I'm not familiar with how to lock out gears so I need to look into that to better understand. I believe another mistake I have been making is not making certain I am using 91 octane. My early research indicates that may also negatively affect my performance when towing.

Using Tow/Haul mode is generally recommended when towing which helps by holding gears longer and only reluctantly shifts into 9th or 10th. You can lock out gears by using the +/- rocker switch on the left side of your gear shift handle. I think gears 8,9, and 10 are overdrives. 7th gear is 1:1(I think).

 

[Warlock58]

Thanks Samson 16. I always run in Tow Haul Mode when pulling our camper trailer. Should I still consider locking out the 9th and 10th gear or does the tow haul mode effectively manage that with minimal shifting into those gears?

 

[F150 John]

Lockout 8,9 and 10th as well. I would never suggest anyone tow a load in overdrive and your truck has 3 overdrive gears.

Just to add. Yes the rpm will be higher but that will help to keep the water flowing faster and keep the motor cooler and being in a lower gear will keep your transmission cooler as well.

 

[tsigwing]

Doesn't the powerboost have an electric water pump?

 

[F150 John]

It may I really don't know but you still don't want it in overdrive when towing a heavy load and what he's towing would count as such.

 

[Snakebitten]

Doesn't the powerboost have an electric water pump?

Oh how I wish it did!

While it does have several small electric coolant pumps, the waterpump for the ICE is the traditional belt driven 3.5 Ecoboost water pump.

If Ford were to switch that pump to electric, a Powerboost would have no need for any belts or pully at all. That would be cool.

 

[CLdrinker]

I just sold a 7.3 with 4:30 gears and 48 gallon tank and now have a 3.5 non powerboost.
First off your truck is not struggling whatsoever with the weights you are describing.
My 7.3 got 9mpg towing my 2500lb enclosed and it got 8mpg towing my 14k fifth wheel. 7mpg if head winds.

The 7.3 truck will do the work with fewer rpm’s and increased control. But at the cost of a daily ride comfort.

 

[Snakebitten]

Do you still have the 5th?

 

[FaaWrenchBndr]

For a truck doing work, there is no substitute for cubic inches.

 

[CLdrinker]

Do you still have the 5th?

No sir

 

[dochawk]

If Ford were to switch that pump to electric, a Powerboost would have no need for any belts or pully at all. That would be cool.

Think of the children!

How will little Johny learn those words if not while his father is changing psychotic belts?

?

 

[JExpedition07]

I for one think the water pump should be driven by its own separate dedicated gasoline engine (and that gas engine is air cooled)

 

[dochawk]

I for one think the water pump should be driven by its own separate dedicated gasoline engine (and that gas engine is air cooled)

actually, it's the aftermath of changing the water pump that is keeping my '72 Eldorado convertible off the road at the moment.

There are three types of bolt holding it on, each with it's own torque spec in the FSM.

However, the thin ones up top have a huge number--which, as it turns out, is specified in inch pounds, rather than the foot pounds for the other two (and nearly everything else).

And apparently the last person to work on those missed that. I'm not sure how they were fastened before I took them off (locktite? worse?), but they won't reach "finger tight" at this point! Which means it uses more water than fuel. And to be clear, it gets 4mpg at the moment!

Rather than threading the parts that the bolts go through, it apparently welded nuts on at the factory. I now have a welder, but need to practice first.

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