I haven't posted much lately. Life is just crazy busy. Thanks to all you guys, this is still the best site for advice on our 7.3s.

I thought I'd relay my battery story from this week in case it helps somebody down the road. The truck had been sitting about 10 days in the garage w/out being driven. I tried to start it Tuesday night. It cranked over for about 15 sec, real slow, then quit. Not even fast enough to bump the tach. I figured it was batteries because they were almost 5 years old, it had been cranking slow lately, and I was planning to replace them before a trip in April. The voltmeter needle went further to the left (lower voltage) when the GPs were on also. I tried later that night and it barely cranked over a few seconds. Next day I checked voltages and one was at almost 11V but the other one was only putting out 4V!! So that one went bad and started draining the good one. Swapped them both out with new 1000amp batts. After pro-rating and core refund total cost to me was $81. It fired up after barely a second of cranking. Tach bounced to about 300 before it barked to life. Recently the voltmeter needle had been varying a bit when running so I figured something was up, possibly batteries. I guess I'm lucky I didn't fry my alternator.

So question for you guys:

The lead clamp on the black ground wire on the passenger side battery is cracked. I need to replace the cable. How long is this cable, what gauge is the wire and does anyone have a part number for it? Is this a dealer/International part, or does Auto Zone, Checker, NAPA or anyone have one that'll work?

Thanks for any replies.

 

NAPA has the cables and also sells replacement battery clamps separately. Cable is 2ga, 46" long with a 2nd lead coming off it for $24. I think I'll just get a new clamp for $2.50.

 

Mine is not cracked but getting bad too. I don't know how long it is but I'm going to just make a new one. I think you can get the cable at a welding shop, I can't remember the guage (0,1?). I'd just take the old one and get the same size. If you try and buy a new one from ford it will cost you an arm and a leg. You could call a parts store and see if they have one, I don't know.