Background

• Navistar produced diesel engines for Ford since 1988 when it developed the 7.3-liter diesel. In 1994, the Powerstroke turbo diesel was launched. The 6-liter Powerstroke replaced the 7.3 version in 2003. The 6.4-liter version was developed in 2007 to comply with new federal emissions standards, and the 6-liter version was phased out. These engines powered the F-Series trucks (except the F-150), the Excursion SUV and the E-Series vans. A 4.5-liter diesel was installed in Ford’s forward cab trucks.
  
  

6.7 Power

• The Ford-designed 6.7-liter turbo diesel for the 2011 F-450 heavy-duty pickup produces 390 horsepower and generates 735 foot-pounds of torque. The 6.7 features 40 more horsepower and 85 more foot-pounds of torque than the previous Navistar turbo diesel engine. Ford’s 6.7 outguns the Dodge Ram pickup’s 6.7-liter Cummins diesel, which wields 350 horsepower and 650 foot-pounds of torque. The Chevrolet Silverado is equipped with a 6.6-liter Duramax diesel. GM doesn’t disclose diesel horsepower/torque ratings.
  
  

Transmission

• Ford’s 6.7 is mated with a 6R140 TorqShift six-speed automatic transmission equipped with a “Live Drive Power Take Off” (PTO) feature exclusive only to the diesel models. The PTO feature provides extra power by linking the output gear through the torque converter to the engine crankshaft. Operating while the engine is running, the PTO can power tow truck lifts, dump trucks, aerial lifts, snowplows and cement mixers. The TorqShift is a new feature and designed in-house by Ford specifically for the 6.7 diesel.
  
  

Capacities

• The F-450 equipped with the 6.7 is capable of towing up to 24,400 lbs. with a maximum payload of 4,920 lbs. The F-350 has a towing capacity of 21,600 lbs. with a payload capacity of 6,520 lbs. In contrast, the Dodge Ram, which is closest to the F-350 in size, has a towing capacity of 18,500 lbs. with a payload rated at 5,100 lbs. The Chevy Silverado can tow 20,000 lbs. with a rated payload of 6,335 lbs.
  
  

Features

• The 6.7 engine block is made of compacted graphite iron. The heads are aluminum. The engine features a turbocharger equipped with a dual-side compressor wheel in a single housing unit mounted low on the block. A high-pressure fuel injection system delivers diesel at about 29,000 pounds per square inch. It can run on 20 percent biodiesel.