Ford 7.3L Godzilla Oil Question

[Shrike9]

Have a 22 F250 Tremor with the 7.3l Gas engine and 49k miles. She goes from southern AZ in the summer to Northern Alberta (Canada) winters along with what Montana throws at her so she sees hard desert summer use as well as stupid cold in the winter

Was getting “free” oil changes from the dealer & am now paying to have them done (disabled & can’t change oil)

What full synthetic oil should I look at purchasing or to ensure a mechanic is putting in some high quality oil?

 

[ripcord]

You can safely use any 5w-30 off the shelf at Walmart. Ford says to use oil that meets Ford specification WSS-M2C961-A1 which is met by all API SP or higher rated 5w-30 oils. You won't go wrong with Mobil 1, Castrol, Pennzoil, Havoline or even SuperTech synthetic.

 

[wlk]

When we had our 7 3's rebuilt at work, 4 of them, Ford told us to use a higher zinc oil. I'd personally use a 40-grade oil and change it no more than 5k miles. Good luck with it, and I hope the cams don't delaminate on you.

 

[hemioiler]

When we had our 7 3's rebuilt at work, 4 of them, Ford told us to use a higher zinc oil. I'd personally use a 40-grade oil and change it no more than 5k miles. Good luck with it, and I hope the cams don't delaminate on you.

How many 7.3's total do you guys have? I'd be interested in hearing more about that, I know the 7.3 had some cam issues in the early models but was kind of hoping they'd have fixed that by now. I love the idea of this engine and always had it at the top of my list if I needed a bigger truck.

 

[Zee09]

I had the first year model of the 7.3 gasser and it had a really rough idle and Ford said they couldn't fix it unless it threw a code... so I threw it back to Ford....
It's all on here...
It got really great highway mpgs and I wish it didn't have issues..

 

[wlk]

How many 7.3's total do you guys have? I'd be interested in hearing more about that, I know the 7.3 had some cam issues in the early models but was kind of hoping they'd have fixed that by now. I love the idea of this engine and always had it at the top of my list if I needed a bigger truck.

We had 12 when i left and had cam delamination in the mid-60k to upper-80k miles. Ford did a long block on the first one, we paid labor, but denied subsequent warranty work on the rest. They were e450s, 2021 and 2022 year models. I am not sure if the 2023s and 24s have had the problems, don't work there anymore. Now granted these vehicles were on the road 24/7 with most seeing 40k+ miles per year and not driven gently.

 

[crashz]

The newer 7.3 and 6.8L engines have been fixed as far as I know.

 

[logain]

When we had our 7 3's rebuilt at work, 4 of them, Ford told us to use a higher zinc oil. I'd personally use a 40-grade oil and change it no more than 5k miles. Good luck with it, and I hope the cams don't delaminate on you.

Would than mean basically get a diesel oil then? Something like 5w40 Rotella? I would think it has more zinc than most normal auto oil, but not enough to mess with the cats.

 

[wlk]

Would than mean basically get a diesel oil then? Something like 5w40 Rotella? I would think it has more zinc than most normal auto oil, but not enough to mess with the cats.

They never said, just a higher content in a pcmo 5w30. I believe the mechanics ran Schaeffer 5w30 in them after the rebuild. Then they switched to a different shop so no clue after that.

 

[OVERKILL]

Would than mean basically get a diesel oil then? Something like 5w40 Rotella? I would think it has more zinc than most normal auto oil, but not enough to mess with the cats.

ZDDP doesn't prevent improperly applied heat treatment from failing, which is why it wouldn't prevent FCA/Ford/GM lifter failures and Honda camshaft failures. What you are seeing is the result of China-cizing components which I believe is why not only did we see a design change in the 2018+ FCA/Stellantis lifters (larger needles in the rollers) but a COO change as well, with the new ones being made in Germany.

Cummins has a similar issue with the ISX:

 

[Gladiator007]

Since you are unable to change the oil yourself, I recommend an oil that can serve you for 10,000 miles safely. Amsoil Signature Series 5w30 or 0w30. 5w30 will be a better choice though. I think the higher spread of viscosity you go, the higher the chance of the oil giving up. Otherwise, I would recommend 0w40.

 

[logain]

ZDDP doesn't prevent improperly applied heat treatment from failing, which is why it wouldn't prevent FCA/Ford/GM lifter failures and Honda camshaft failures. What you are seeing is the result of China-cizing components which I believe is why not only did we see a design change in the 2018+ FCA/Stellantis lifters (larger needles in the rollers) but a COO change as well, with the new ones being made in Germany.

Cummins has a similar issue with the ISX:
View attachment 296239
View attachment 296240

Sounds to me like new vehicles, regards of make, just suck these days.

 

[4WD]

ZDDP doesn't prevent improperly applied heat treatment from failing, which is why it wouldn't prevent FCA/Ford/GM lifter failures and Honda camshaft failures. What you are seeing is the result of China-cizing components which I believe is why not only did we see a design change in the 2018+ FCA/Stellantis lifters (larger needles in the rollers) but a COO change as well, with the new ones being made in Germany.

Cummins has a similar issue with the ISX:
View attachment 296239
View attachment 296240

When was the switch to Germany you mentioned?

 

[OVERKILL]

When was the switch to Germany you mentioned?

Around 2018.

Post in thread '21 5.7 Hemi; Valvoline EP 5w-20 3k mi'

Jul 7, 2025

Interesting. When did they fix the lifter problem? I thought it was design flaw with this engine?

The lifters were revised again in 2018, which was supposed to eliminate it (though I think it just greatly reduced the rate of occurrence). It's not a design problem with the engine, it's a materials issue with the lifters (primarily, though the odd one has had delamination issues with the SADI camshafts). GM and Ford both have the same problem, with GM having the additional issue of their AFM/DFM lifters failing.

Edit:
Here's a comparison pic of the old (small) needles vs the new...

• OVERKILL

• 

 

[4WD]

Around 2018.

Post in thread '21 5.7 Hemi; Valvoline EP 5w-20 3k mi'

Jul 7, 2025

Interesting. When did they fix the lifter problem? I thought it was design flaw with this engine?

The lifters were revised again in 2018, which was supposed to eliminate it (though I think it just greatly reduced the rate of occurrence). It's not a design problem with the engine, it's a materials issue with the lifters (primarily, though the odd one has had delamination issues with the SADI camshafts). GM and Ford both have the same problem, with GM having the additional issue of their AFM/DFM lifters failing.

Edit:
Here's a comparison pic of the old (small) needles vs the new...

• OVERKILL

• 

Seems the PUG did something similar - or was that a separate initiative?

 

[OVERKILL]

Seems the PUG did something similar - or was that a separate initiative?

Separate initiative, but they were also having roller issues, as you note. I am not sure if they did the same supplier change for the Pentastar as they did for the HEMI though.

 

[rydaddy]

Considering the cold winters, and following the recommendation in the owner's manual, I would go with a 0w-30.