D7 3T starting clutch

Please stay with the starting engine if possible. If you go electric start forget starting in even cool weather without glow plugs, plus the expense of the starter and the large batteries. The starting engine also adds to main engine longevity by allowing the main engine to obtain oil pressure or even to heat the cylinders before firing-up. I cannot help with your questions, but my advice is to find a operation and maintenance instructions book, a parts book and a service manual on ebay or from other sources. These books will save you a great deal of money and heartache.
Best Wishes

Hi GM,
at The Dealer we used this bracket--I can say it had lots of extra holes drilled into the back plate-- to remove the pony on my RD6 in the field.
I lashed a piece of 2" water pipe across the front canopy sweeps and hung my chain block from there to swing the engine out onto a suitable board on the track.
I swung the board around to slide the pony into my trailer to take it home and unsieze it etc.
Put it back the same way--all on my own with no help.
It can be done if you have these tools available.
You will likely need more and/or different centered holes in the back plate to fit the early pony block.
Have also seen a bracket made up to fit the pony block right side cover plate bolt pattern.
Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Eddie B.

I agree with both replies , I too have used a make shift hoist built off cage , 6x6 and 2 sets of come-alongs ,1 for pony removal and the 2nd futher out on 6x6 to take over for the swing out and in to pick up bed , I use 2 " ratchet straps to hold in place on cage. 3-4 hours and its in the truck . I ordered all new gaskets and clutch pac and any thing else that I could get to on the clutch side , my pony had great compression so I left alone. think my parts were around 225 $ and a week to arrive .
Happy tracks !