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7.3 IDI COMPRESSED AIR STARTER

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Ray Cecil

7.3 IDI COMPRESSED AIR STARTER

Part of my truck build is to include an air starter. I've read a few vague online posts stating that there were air starters on some 7.3idi generators and other industrial grade equipment used in harsh northern climates.

Googling "7.3idi air starter" doesn't really produce any part numbers, or any definite information on where to buy, or what to buy.

I think, I need to identify the flange type on the starter that mounts onto the block, and the starter gear size, and maybe try to find an air starter that could work.....

My hope is that someone on here has a resource, or some obscure knowledge hidden in a manual somewhere that could give me clues on what to look for.

Thanks for any help.

1988 F250 Supercab Longbed 7.3 IDI, C6, 1356, GEARVENDORS, 4.10 Sterling with autolocker

1986 F150 302, C6, 9" 2.75, Wood Flatbed

Gary Lewis

Re: 7.3 IDI COMPRESSED AIR STARTER

Administrator

Ray - I've looked in the 1980/1989 Light Trucks MPC and the 1980 on Truck Series 600/900 MPC and don't find any mention of a compressed air starter. Sorry.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
Blue: 2015 F150 Platinum 4x4 SuperCrew wearing Blue Jeans & sporting a 3.5L EB & Max Tow
Big Blue: 1985 F250HD 4x4: 460/ZF5/3.55's, D60 w/Ox locker & 10.25 Sterling/Trutrac, Blue Top & Borgeson, & EEC-V MAF/SEFI

Ray Cecil

Re: 7.3 IDI COMPRESSED AIR STARTER

Do you have anything that calls out a flange type, tooth count, or anything about the regular 6.9/7.3 starters?

1988 F250 Supercab Longbed 7.3 IDI, C6, 1356, GEARVENDORS, 4.10 Sterling with autolocker

1986 F150 302, C6, 9" 2.75, Wood Flatbed

Gary Lewis

Re: 7.3 IDI COMPRESSED AIR STARTER

Administrator

No, it just lists part numbers, not details.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Ray Cecil

Re: 7.3 IDI COMPRESSED AIR STARTER

Ok. I'll keep digging. I want to make this truck CME/EMP proof. Maybe I'm just paranoid (likely), or want to brag I have an air start 7.3 (likely). I've got a healthy electric start system, but if an EMP or Solar blast occurs.....I need a manual way to start it.

1988 F250 Supercab Longbed 7.3 IDI, C6, 1356, GEARVENDORS, 4.10 Sterling with autolocker

1986 F150 302, C6, 9" 2.75, Wood Flatbed

Gary Lewis

Re: 7.3 IDI COMPRESSED AIR STARTER

Administrator

Your diesel has no electronics - right? The battery nor the starter will be hurt by an EMP, so I think you are fine.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Ray Cecil

Re: 7.3 IDI COMPRESSED AIR STARTER

EMP it'll be OK, probably...it depends on how big a CME is. The earth's magnetic field is currently in a weakened state, down about 25% in strength, and the magnetic poles are wandering. A Carrington level or greater CME could disable anything with copper wires. I'd have to go full mechanical start, and mechanical shut off for the IP.

1988 F250 Supercab Longbed 7.3 IDI, C6, 1356, GEARVENDORS, 4.10 Sterling with autolocker

1986 F150 302, C6, 9" 2.75, Wood Flatbed

Gary Lewis

Re: 7.3 IDI COMPRESSED AIR STARTER

Administrator

Oh, you are worried a CME. That's a different story. All I can say is "Good luck."

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Ray Cecil

Re: 7.3 IDI COMPRESSED AIR STARTER

In reply to this post by Ray Cecil

For what it's worth, a Carrington level event or greater would take out the entire earth's electric grid right now. I think our electric world is living on borrowed time. It's a good idea to harden against these threats, both from our sun, and from Nuclear Warfare.

Eventually, one or the other is going to get us....not sure which, or when, but I'd say it doesn't take much digging to find out that we are at greater risk of these things happening than most people are aware of, or care to admit.

1988 F250 Supercab Longbed 7.3 IDI, C6, 1356, GEARVENDORS, 4.10 Sterling with autolocker

1986 F150 302, C6, 9" 2.75, Wood Flatbed

Ray Cecil

Re: 7.3 IDI COMPRESSED AIR STARTER

In reply to this post by Gary Lewis

Gary Lewis wrote

Oh, you are worried a CME. That's a different story. All I can say is "Good luck."

Worried? No. Is it in the back of my head? Yes. I've been studying sun cycles awhile now, and I'm much more concerned about it now. My wife has AFIB, that's how I got into it. I was looking for possible causes and solutions to help her naturally, and cosmic radiation as a confounder kept popping up. Forces outside and inside our planet are for sure having effects on our health. Those with conditions like afib are more sensitive to cosmic radiation.

1988 F250 Supercab Longbed 7.3 IDI, C6, 1356, GEARVENDORS, 4.10 Sterling with autolocker

1986 F150 302, C6, 9" 2.75, Wood Flatbed

Ford F834

Re: 7.3 IDI COMPRESSED AIR STARTER

Administrator

In reply to this post by Ray Cecil

I have never heard of an IDI air starter… but I would look at International Harvester applications or perhaps marine applications. I do not know what the starter mount pattern is, but I do know the gear reduction starters from the early 7.3 Powerstroke fits the 6.9/7.3 IDI.

If you want to have an EMP-proof no-electricity IDI then you will also need to devise a mechanical FSS (look at tractor applications with rotary pumps?) and count on ether for starting as these things DO NOT start well without glow plugs or block heater. Even in 100*F weather.

SHORT BED 4-DOOR DIESEL: 1986 F350 4x4 under construction-- 7.3 IDIT ZF5+GVOD

STRAIGHT SIX 4X4: 1981 F150 2wd to 4x4-- 300 I6 close ratio diesel T19, hydroboost brakes, Saginaw steering

BIG F: 1995 F-Superduty under construction— converting to 6.9L IDI diesel ZF5+DNE2

85lebaront2

Re: 7.3 IDI COMPRESSED AIR STARTER

Administrator

Ether egg is what we called the ones we used on the USMC stuff.

Bill AKA "LOBO" Profile

"Getting old is inevitable, growing up is optional" Darth Vader 1986 F350 460 converted to MAF/SEFI, E4OD 12X3 1/2 rear brakes, traction loc 3:55 gear, 160 amp 3G alternator Wife's 2011 Flex Limited Daily Driver 2009 Flex Limited with factory tow package Project car 1986 Chrysler LeBaron convertible 2.2L Turbo II, modified A413

Ray Cecil

Re: 7.3 IDI COMPRESSED AIR STARTER

In reply to this post by Ford F834

Thanks for the reply.

Might be onto something here:

https://airstartersdirect.com/int-harvester/

1988 F250 Supercab Longbed 7.3 IDI, C6, 1356, GEARVENDORS, 4.10 Sterling with autolocker

1986 F150 302, C6, 9" 2.75, Wood Flatbed

Gary Lewis

Re: 7.3 IDI COMPRESSED AIR STARTER

Administrator

What will you have to compress the air?

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Ray Cecil

Re: 7.3 IDI COMPRESSED AIR STARTER

In a true SHTF scenario, an air tank will be already pressurized and ready to go. In a real bad event, I will only need to start the truck a couple times. Once to go get my mom, granny, sister and bro inlaw/neice and nephew....any starts after that will be for lesser emergencies.

I'll have an on board compressor, but who knows if that'll work afterwards. The 60 gallon standup compressor in the garage will be and auxiliary pressure vessel, as well as a few harbor freight pressure tanks on the shelf.

1988 F250 Supercab Longbed 7.3 IDI, C6, 1356, GEARVENDORS, 4.10 Sterling with autolocker

1986 F150 302, C6, 9" 2.75, Wood Flatbed

Gary Lewis

Re: 7.3 IDI COMPRESSED AIR STARTER

Administrator

That’s why I asked - most of the setups I can think of to compress air would be toast in your scenario. But you might consider installing a York/Tecumseh air conditioning compressor on your diesel. They were stock on up to ‘81 trucks with A/C so are plentiful. And there are lots of how-to’s on converting them to air compressor duty.

But there is the potential of the clutch winding being ruined in the event.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Nothing Special

Re: 7.3 IDI COMPRESSED AIR STARTER

Maybe a PTO-driven air compressor? And you could set something up with a purely mechanical clutch.

Bob
Sorry, no '80 - '86 Ford trucks
"Oswald": 1997 F-250HD crew cab short box, 460, E4OD, 4.10 gears
"Pluto": 1971 Bronco, 302, NV3550 5 speed, Atlas 4.3:1 transfer case, 33" tires
"the motorhome": 2015 E-450-based 28' class C motorhome, 6.8L V-10
"the Dodge": 2007 Dodge 2500, 6.7L Cummins

Ray Cecil

Re: 7.3 IDI COMPRESSED AIR STARTER

In reply to this post by Gary Lewis

Gary Lewis wrote

That’s why I asked - most of the setups I can think of to compress air would be toast in your scenario. But you might consider installing a York/Tecumseh air conditioning compressor on your diesel. They were stock on up to ‘81 trucks with A/C so are plentiful. And there are lots of how-to’s on converting them to air compressor duty.

But there is the potential of the clutch winding being ruined in the event.

That's a great idea. I was pondering an accessory driven compressor. I'm sure you could modify a clutch to me mechanically engaged somehow. Maybe lock the clutch, and engage/disengage the belt instead.

1988 F250 Supercab Longbed 7.3 IDI, C6, 1356, GEARVENDORS, 4.10 Sterling with autolocker

1986 F150 302, C6, 9" 2.75, Wood Flatbed

Ray Cecil

Re: 7.3 IDI COMPRESSED AIR STARTER

In reply to this post by Nothing Special

I've got a C6, no pto....but I do have a 1356 tcase that could couple to a compressor. It would be a lot of manual work to set that up anytime I need to compress air. The better idea in my opinion is to drive a compressor using the rear tires. Have some dyno style rollers that turn a shaft and chain it to a compressor. Just simply drive up on the compressor and let her rip.

1988 F250 Supercab Longbed 7.3 IDI, C6, 1356, GEARVENDORS, 4.10 Sterling with autolocker

1986 F150 302, C6, 9" 2.75, Wood Flatbed

Ford F834

Re: 7.3 IDI COMPRESSED AIR STARTER

Administrator

In reply to this post by Ray Cecil

Ray Cecil wrote

Thanks for the reply.

Might be onto something here:

https://airstartersdirect.com/int-harvester/

One issue with this is that the starter may not fit the pickup application. I think that the 1” thick bellhousing adapter plate that the starter bolts to may be a Ford-specific part. I have no idea about the IH flywheel or OEM starter… you would have to inquire about it.

Another way to go about it would be a manual transmission that can be roll started… but you would need a hill or some strong horses.