Best oil for 7.3L?

[Piraya33]

I am getting ready to do the first oil change on my 02' 7.3L. The truck has 93k miles and I want to know what oil and oil filter I should use? This is my first oil change on a diesel. Is there anything I should do differently than I would on a gas engine? Thanks for any help!

[SuperCrutyPS]

Originally Posted by Piraya33

I am getting ready to do the first oil change on my 02' 7.3L. The truck has 93k miles and I want to know what oil and oil filter I should use? This is my first oil change on a diesel. Is there anything I should do differently than I would on a gas engine? Thanks for any help!

It depends on what you wanna use.

If dino oil - Ford stuff (MotorCraft), Shell has Rotella, Chevron has Delo 400, Mobil Delvac - I'm sure others are there - These seem to be the most popular.

If synthetic - Amsoil, Rotella, Royal Purple - probably others.

Oil change itself is pretty much the same operationally, just remember you'll need something to catch 15 quarts of oil, 15 qts to put back in and the right sized oil filter.

Good luck with that.

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Last edited by SuperCrutyPS : 07-02-2009 at 12:24 PM.

[RRonning1984]

I use royal purple in my truck!

[boschert_72]

I just did an oil change and put royal purple in just because it was free and didnt notice any difference but i havent checked mileage yet. only 80 miles on new oil so far.
I was just gunna run delo400 if i had to by it.

[Ghillie]

Agrees with supercruty: Any of the top named dino oils will work-->Delo-Rotella-Mobil Delvac.-->All 15W-40. If you live in a colder region, ya might think about pouring in a synthetic 5W-40 yr round. If ya use the dino 15W-40? Don't go past 5K miles between your Oil change. If ya use the 5W-40 synthetic? You might beable to go to within the 5K to 10K mile mark without a by-pass system installed. Make sure too use a good oil filter... like
Motorcraft FL-1995
Fleetguard LF-3630
Wix 51734
Baldwin B7039
Mobil 1 M1-601
Amsoil Ea0-99

Clean oil plays a major part in keeping your 7.3L running like new... Never skimp on a cheap oil filter.

[ianstew]

motorcraft oil and filters

[blacksmokingpowerstroke]

i run oem international oil filters on my 95, but I get them for cost because I work at the dealer

[BigRed02]

I have always used Shell Rotella in all my diesels, including my old GM 6.2L, which it did wonders for with smoke. My next go around I will try Royal Purple, its gonna be costly but what the heck. Also check out Blackstone Laboratories before you change. Some guys here including me, have their used oil tested when changed. Its a pretty cool deal, they'll send you a whole work up sheet on you oil and whatever other fluids you send them. Filters, I just go with Motorcraft. Hope this helps.

[Piraya33]

Thanks for all the replies everyone! Is there any reason I should look at going with synthetic oil? If I do, is it like gas engines where if you use synthetic once you have to use it from then on? Any preferred brand? Thanks again!

[7.3powerstroke2000]

I used Royal purple synthetic, very expensive, but I think it's worth it. I mean, it may just be in my head, it seems like it runs smoother and cleaner. I have 234,*** miles on my truck though