Star Power (Navistar) diesel info

[Roddy]

Does anyone have any information on Star Power diesels.
They are marine conversion of Ford pickup 7.3 Power Stroke engine,
made by Navistar (International). Navistar calls it T-444E in their
trucks.
All agree that it is a good engine except for the Ford supplied
electronic fuel injection that causes most of the problems in
pickups... The Navistar electronic injection version has an excellent
reputation
Have talked to several marine diesel shops in Vancouver BC.
They are familiar with the Power Stroke in pickup trucks, but none
have seen marine version.
Further they cautioned about marine parts, especially exhaust
manifolds, turbo and intercooler.
It may be a good engine but, but, but.
Without replacement manifolds, risers, intercooler and turbos
available and at reasonable prices, they recommend to pass, unless you
have deep pockets!
The only parts they could find listed for Star Power was the raw water
pump... No listings for any 7.3 marine engines except for 7.3 natural
aspirated Mercruser diesel that is out of production, but guess what.
None are available...

Rod
Richmond BC

[hmatt...@comcast.net]

once looked at a 34 foot Uni for sale a few years ago in the Tocoma area that had twin International engines.  The exhaust and cooling system looked jury rigged to me.  There were a lot of other problems with this boat so I passed.  I later talked to the broker that was representing the boat when I ran into him while staying at Big Bay in Canada before the Big Bay Marina went away and he said the guy who bought the boat had problems with the exhaust headers and had a hard time trying to find replacements.  I believe that they were the Navistar T-440's.  Hal

 

-------------- Original message --------------
From: Roddy <vicrodn...@telus.net>

>
> Does anyone have any information on Star Power diesels.
> They are marine conversion of Ford pickup 7.3 Power Stroke engine,
> made by Navistar (International). Navistar calls it T-444E in their
> trucks.
> All agree that it is a good engine except for the Ford supplied
> electronic fuel injection that causes most of the problems in
> pickups... The Navistar electronic injection version has an excellent
> reputation
> Have talked to several marine diesel shops in Vancouver BC.
> They are familiar with the Power Stroke in pickup trucks, but none
> have seen marine version.
> Further they cautioned about marine parts, especially exhaust
> manifolds, turbo and intercooler.

> It may be a good e ngine but, but, but.

> Without replacement manifolds, risers, intercooler and turbos
> available and at reasonable prices, they recommend to pass, unless you
> have deep pockets!
> The only parts they could find listed for Star Power was the raw water
> pump... No listings for any 7.3 marine engines except for 7.3 natural
> aspirated Mercruser diesel that is out of production, but guess what.
> None are available...
>
> Rod
> Richmond BC

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[71...@dunbararm.com]

Rod

My best advice would be to walk away and do not look back. Very poor
preforming product. Little to know parts available.

Doug White
"Jennifer Lynn II"
Havre de Grace, Maryland

[waterguy]

Rod -

Are you looking into repowering or looking at a boat that has these
engines?

If repowering, what model/size, and what engines do you currently have?

[Roddy]

There is a 1977 32 Uniflite Sedan on Yachwrold. Has been lsted for a
year i think.

Rod

[waterguy]

The one in Redwood City, CA? That's a lot of engine for that boat,
and the price is probably less than they spent repowering it. I don't
know if diesels were an option for that boat; if they were, it
wouldn't have been those engines. Probably Cat's.

My only question, and it may be nit-picking, but I'm wondering how the
weight of those engines affects the boat's handling and economy? I'd
expect a pair of small-block Chryslers or Chevrolets, and those
International diesels weigh a heck of a lot more. Plus they're sited
quite far aft. I'd be curious whether it rides with the bow way up,
or if you have to use a lot of trim tab to keep it more level. If
either, it would have detrimental effects on fuel economy, I think.

[Roddy]

The 7.3 marine engine becomes the orphan no one wants.
No wonder there are not many spare parts.

The weight of a 7.3 is 1665 lbs with Bravo 1 stern drive. Taking off
300 lbs for the stern drive still makes the 7.3 1400 lbs.
Waterguy is right these are heavy. 454's are about 1000 lbs I think.
800 extra pounds in the stern of a 32 would not be the best weight
distribution...

Found some info on Star Power...
Star Power engines, was a division of Marine Corp. of America
Marine Corp. of America is a subsidiary of Franklin Power Products,
who's main business was rebuilding complete engines and assemblies for
Navistar Corporation. Franklin Power Products saw an opportunity in
1992 and formed Marine Corp. of America and started the 7.3
marinization
Franklin Power Products was taken over by Caterpillar Inc. and the
marine division, Marine Corporation of America was sold to Mercury
Marine, division of Brunswick Corp.
Mercury Marine ceased marinizing the 7.3 Navistar in around 1998
Brunswick Corp entered a joint venture with Cummins Engine Co.
The joint venture is called CMD (Cummins Mercrusier Diesel)

[32' SS - Ramlin']

Re the Diesel engines... Uniflite did make some each year
Mine was a Yanmar Diesel originally and then in 1999
she got new Cummins 5.9M w/ 220 HP each.

She may be heavy. May not have enough Umph.

As I see you guys talking about faster speeds than I get.
Cruise at 15.7 to 17 and Max out at 20-22 depending on load.

But I like the dependability a lot!