So I have read a few things about the subject...
Low voltage will hurt a starter motor,
Once your looking at solenoid trouble that the starter motor itself is not far behind... just go get yourself a new starter...
So there is a lot of aggravation to be saved by starting with good cables,batteries,connections and a starter. Especially in the cold seasons.
Sometimes though it may be cost effective for some to replace just the solenoid... in my case I’m tinkering with extra junk and I’m not dropping the coin for a starter just yet, so I’m working on cables ,connection and solenoid.

I’ve also read there are 3 different versions of a starter that fit these idi’s...
I’m pretty sure I’ve only seen the one so far and I believe it to be the one pictured, but the others I’ve messed with have “Mitsubishi “ stamped on them..
Can anyone add to this or provide pics?
Also in this case, terminal bolt removal wrecked my solenoid over corrosion...
I asked my local Napa and they claimed there was only one starter and therefore one solenoid . It was something they could get and for 20 + dollars I’m giving it a shot.. pictures looked correct....
Anyway ,this is my 7.3 starter. I am almost certain it was an Autozone Duralast job... No stamping son this case that I can find ,but I’m pretty sure it looks like the Mitsubishi units I’ve layed my eyes on in the past...
My apologies if this has been previously beaten to death

 

To my understanding there are two main types of starter. The Mitsubishi planetary gear reduction style like you have and the Nippondenso offset gear reduction style (check starter thread for pics). You won't find a replacement solenoid for the Nippondenso style as the solenoid is assembled into the starter housing. You can get replacement plungers and contacts though. If you got a replacement solenoid it's most likely for your style of starter.

Also, your NAPA guys either lied to you or are incompetent, they sell both style of starter for the IDI. I bought one today.

 

Thanks for the reply ,I couldn’t get the sticky thread to load pics

 

I meant my thread. I have pictures of two styles of starters in there.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ermittent.html

 

Thanks for the link... well I got too excited... it’s the wrong solenoid...
Also in reference to your thread, never thought to check the drop between solenoid s.

 

This may just be the first time I've opened a thread in this forum about a starter solenoid... and it was actually a starter solenoid!!!!!!

Thanks for that!

</end really helpful post>

 

So when I go to Napa online and look up these starters by application and go between the 85 and the 92 , the third make seems to come into play on the 85 (maybe earlier years and then fizzled out?)
And the starter I found is a Delco style ,which has the solenoid they gave me...
And after looking at all the Mitsubishi style pics , my starter looks nothing like the starter I have ... more than likely why we can’t match a solenoid...

 

So the plot thickens.
The starter pictured at the beginning of the thread I believe to be a Delco-Remy 28mt 10t starter...
this explains the solenoid matching issue
so is this something someone got at the auto parts store or did someone cross reference into the non auto world ?
If this is an offered replacement in the auto parts world , does this mean there are potentially 4 different type of starters ..

Edit: so upon further reading it seems this was more likely an online purchase and not a parts store replacement, being advertised as fitting a few diff makes..
Apparently there is some standardizing in these diesel/equipment starter flanges?

 

A Delco starter was used in the first two years of the IDI, '83 & '84. They are crap.
Fortunately all IDI starters are interchangeable.

 

Yup, and that’s the solenoid they gave me, for that early direct drive Delco.
The animal I pulled out of my 7.3 I’m pretty certain is a Remy style gear reduction 28 mt