The 1989 Ford F-Series trucks, excluding the F-150, were available with a 7.3-liter IDI engine. Due to the sheer bulk of the engine, the 7.3's required a very larger starter motor for initial torque to get the engine running. While starter repair houses were semi-common in metropolitan areas in the late 1980s, they've since become extremely rare, leaving owners of the 1989 Ford diesels faced with only one option when the starter fails: replacement. When purchasing a replacement starter, avoid re-built models in favor of remanufactured units. Rebuilt starters are simply repaired old starters, while remanufactured ones have all-new internal parts.
Instructions
- 1
Open the Ford's hood. Disconnect the primary battery's negative battery cable from the battery. The primary battery is on the left side of the engine bay. The secondary battery only connects to the primary, while the primary's cables run to the engine and starter.
2Climb under the Ford with the jack stand, socket wrench, socket and replacement starter. Set the jack stand below the old starter and adjust the jack stand head until it rests against the belly of the old starter, supporting its weight.
3Remove the starter wiring nut with the socket wrench and 3/8-inch socket. Pull the wiring off the starter by hand.
4Remove the two starter mount bolts with the socket wrench and socket. Slide the starter back to disengage it from the engine and set it on the ground. Be careful, as the starter is heavy, weighing in excess of 20 lbs.
5Slide the new starter onto the jack stand and guide it into place, flush with the engine. Slide the starter retaining bolts through the starter flange and into the engine block. Tighten the bolts with the socket and wrench.
6Slip the starter wiring onto the starter wiring stud. Thread the starter wiring retaining nut onto the stud with your fingers to avoid cross-threading it. Tighten the nut with the socket and wrench.
7Reattach the negative battery cable to the Ford's primary battery using the battery wrench.
