My turn to swap out glow plugs. Luckily I had no real surprises both with the teardown or install. Use Motorcraft ZD-11 plugs. I left comments on each pic to help anyone ready to tackle this project. This took me about 4 1/2 hours to do by myself with a lot of clean up and painting of the valve covers... Yes, they are now Ford Dark Blue.

Here's my webshot album: Glow Plug Install PonyboyChris

I did have a rust bubble on the driver's side valve cover, didn't rust through, but that wasn't expecting to see rust. Most of my stickers were gone on the valve covers due to washings I guess. I'm not going to go step by step because that has been covered very well in other threads but a few things as tips to share:

1. Get yourself a 12" long 3/8" ID piece of reinforced tubing that fits nice and snug over the glow plug hex head. You will need this to spin them out of the head. See my pictures.
2. A coat hanger works great to keep the heater hoses on the passenger side out of the way. It comes in handy on the driver's side for the 42 pin connector harness.
3. I had a bucket of soapy water next to the truck to drop parts into - intake tubes, brackets, IC boots etc. to help scrub off the grime. Also kept my hand clean.
4. A magnetic tray came in handy for keeping all the bolts from getting lost.
5. Work platform makes a short guy like me reach stuff.
6. A blanket to lay over the jack tools and hood mechanism so they won't stab you in the belly.
7. Lots of extensions, a u-joint socket to reach all the valve cover bolts. It takes a minute to figure out the right combination but it's worth it.

Enjoy.

 

Good job Chris.

 

Thank you for taking the time to put this up Chris. I know I'll be tackling this in the future, mine has 183k & doubt they've been changed Valve covers look great

 

I need you to come clean up my engine, Rick. I'll buy you all the little M' Lites you need...

I had 117K on the clock for mine but it was puffing out white smoke at start ups lately since the weather is cooling down. I doubt the valve covers have been off this truck.

 

Wow, mine had way over the 230k mark when I did my glow plugs. Bad part is I didn't remember to check the head bolts while doing it. Nice write up tho Chris!!!

 

Thank you! Nice job!!

Steve

 

Nice Job Chris

.5. Grab a case of beer from the store, COLD.

 

Case of beer was needed for my aching back. Woke up a little sore this morning.

I can't stress enough on how you need to be patient when doing this job. There's so much that can happen if you are careless. You can knock dirt into the heads, lose a bolt down inside, knock a harness or an injector clip loose without knowing it etc.

 

How many of the GP were bad?

 

Did ford not manufacture a 1998 F250 , I had a 1997 and later purchased a 1999 , But do not remember a 1998 . Maybe I just lost track .

 

I found 3 that were bad according to my ohm meter.

No Ford did not make a F250 or F350 that was labeled a heavy duty or Superduty that was a 1998 model designation. That was when Ford switched body styles. The early 99's were build in 1998 but were the '99 model year. There was a 1998 F250 light truck - called a heavy half - but it was the F150 body style and came only with the 5.4L.

 

Thanks Chris, I think I should get my meter out & check mine. No I'll probably wait til ice is hanging off of everything

 

Nice job!

I like the Ford Blue valve covers.

 

Glad you got it done Chris, I know you been wanting to do this for a while. Great pics and tips, thanks..

 

Thanks Chris!!

This is on the short list to do for me as well. I just bookmarked this thread for when I do my GP's.

I really like the Ford blue VC's!!!


......Tom