02 F250 7.3 replacement starter options

[doonin1]

My starter is dying. It took me almost 20 minutes before it would start this morning. Money is tight, so I need to be smart about what replacement to buy. I pretty sure I can buy from the dealer for about $250-$300 (I think that would be for a remanufactured standard replacement, not the high-torque model.) Alternatively I found this NEW high-torque unit on ebay for $101+$18 shipping, so $120 total. HIGH TORQUE STARTER 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 FORD F-SERIES TRUCK 7.3 DIESEL,

eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices

I know you never know what you're gonna get from ebay, but the seller has a 99.4 positive feedback and over 39,000 transactions. Looks like the brand of the starter is "WAI World Power Systems."

The unit looks beefier than the stock unit and I hear the 13 tooth high-torque is the way to go--in addition to getting a new unit.

Anybody have any experience with this starter? Or thoughts?
I can handle a cost of $120, but $300 hurts....Especially since I also have transmission problems....but I'll save that for another post.

Thanks!

P.S. I did use the search function and read every post about starters already, but none seemed to address this unit.

[tubular031]

Check out the DB electric starters. I put one in about 2 years ago and its still cranking hard. I think I paid $100 or so for it.

[doonin1]

Thanks for the info. I saw that vendor mentioned in some of the other threads. It seems that their quality really dropped the last few years. I checked out their website and they have a New 13 tooth (which I think is the high-torque model) for $119.80, listed as the Denso replacement unit:
Ford 7.3 Diesel Starter Powerstroke Truck HT 1994-2003 SND0355 17802.

DB Electrical - Ford 7.3 Diesel Starter Powerstroke Truck HT 1994-2003 SND0355 17802

Of note, they also have the 12-tooth Visteon unit for $84.86.

Not sure what shipping is, but the Denso 13 tooth might be a good option. It's about the same price as the ebay one.

Is this Denso a newer unit for DB or is it the same one I read about guys having problems with?

[tubular031]

Originally Posted by doonin1

Thanks for the info. I saw that vendor mentioned in some of the other threads. It seems that their quality really dropped the last few years.

Thats a bummer. Back when my starter died and I was looking for a new starter they were getting really good reviews and everyone loved them. Oh well.

[altoids]

I got a Powermaster Ultra Torque from Advance Auto back before Thanksgiving. Cost me $150. They had a special where if ya spend over $150 ya got 20% off plus another $50 for ordering online. I think it was part number PM9050, but you'll have to call Powermaster and have them ship you the adapter to make it a PM9051 so it will fit a Super Duty. They shipped mine for free.

[cbremodel]

What ever you decide, Don't use a reman. I have went through 3 in the last 1.5 years from auto zone. I now have a new one from O'Reilly auto parts and it turns faster than the reman ever did. good luck

[jesilvas]

If you're being smart about money, why don't you make sure it's the starter. Could be one battery weak, both, bad cables, connections, or an alternator that's not charging.

[doonin1]

Originally Posted by jesilvas

If you're being smart about money, why don't you make sure it's the starter. Could be one battery weak, both, bad cables, connections, or an alternator that's not charging.

That's a good point. I feel pretty confident it's the starter--but I've been wrong before. There is good cranking (when the starter cranks) and the batteries are just over 1 year old. The alternator tested good also. The symptoms are: either the starter won't engage at all OR it engages for maybe 1-2 seconds and then makes a swirling/woosh sound. But so far, if I keep trying it'll eventually crank long enough to start.

[doonin1]

Originally Posted by cbremodel

What ever you decide, Don't use a reman. I have went through 3 in the last 1.5 years from auto zone. I now have a new one from O'Reilly auto parts and it turns faster than the reman ever did. good luck

Thanks for the heads-up!!!

[doonin1]

The "friendly" dealer quoted me $310.84 over the phone and that's with a "discount." Ironically, he couldn't tell me if it was a reman or new unit??? "The computer doesn't say," was his response. How's that for service???

At $300+ I might have to go aftermarket.