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Glowplug length/depth?

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Old Aug 31, 2008 | 06:30 PM
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Glowplug length/depth?

I just pulled the plugs from my '94 engine, none were working. I robbed some from a '93 engine I have, tested them, and installed. Truck fires right up - but there is a horrible knocking - like the pistons are hitting the plug tips. I did not compare the length of the '94 plugs to the '93 plugs, but did notice one had green bands on them and the others were red.

Did the length of glow plugs change? I don't think they're all that expensive - should I just get a new set of eight plugs?
 
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Old Aug 31, 2008 | 09:17 PM
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Glow plugs are the same from 87 to 94, Motorcraft/Beru ZD 9.

The glow plugs go into the precombustion chamber and are seperated from the cylinder by a plate.

Green stripe and red stripe, what kind of glow plugs are they?
 
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Old Sep 1, 2008 | 06:38 AM
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Don't know what kind they are, but now I've got to figure out that nasty knock that wasn't there before! At least I don't have to worry about broken plug pieces in the cylinders.

I seem to recall there was a particular brand to avoid as they were junk - which plugs are good ones, which should I avoid?

What do the different colors indicate? Just different mfr's?
 
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Old Sep 1, 2008 | 11:01 AM
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When you removed the old set were all the heating tips in place...... do not start the engine anymore until you ascertain if all the tips were removed. They can break off and enter the precup then cylinder....... this is bad. If the tip is in the cylinder the head(s) must be removed to get the piece out.........IT WILL NOT COME OUT THROUGH THE VALVE AND EXHAUST WITHOUT DESTROYING THE ENGINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

30 seconds of engine running will do immense damage to piston tops...........
 
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Old Sep 1, 2008 | 07:38 PM
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One plug had a damaged tip - but was not broken off entirely - maybe the last 1/16" or 1/8" missing, and I think it's been that way for a while.

I'm writing off the knocking to piston slap. When I figured out the piston cannot possibly be coming in contact with the plugs, I fired it up this morning and as soon as I tapped the throttle, the noise ceased. I've been starting it on the "juice" for a while now, and that gave it enough oooomf at startup that I didn't notice the noise. I still want to replace all eight plugs with new - I think I have about 5 functioning now. I seem to recall that some plugs were lousy - still waiting for a recommendation on plug brand.
 
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Old Sep 1, 2008 | 08:33 PM
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Originally Posted by Scout
- still waiting for a recommendation on plug brand.

Beru's are the only way to go, if you want them to work and/or last any length of time...

Gary
 
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Old Sep 1, 2008 | 10:31 PM
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Glow plugs are the same from 87 to 94, Motorcraft/Beru ZD 9.

There is no other glow plug in my book.
 
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Old Sep 2, 2008 | 08:23 PM
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Whats the going price for good glo plugs? I found 3 bad ones. I just looked at Oreilly's web site. WOW what a differance in price! Any idea where to look for a decent price?
 
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Old Sep 2, 2008 | 10:18 PM
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I bought a couple sets (all they had) when Autozone was liquidating stock.

Given what can happen with the other brands, 25 dollars each is cheap.
There is no way you can pull and replace a head for 200 dollars.
 
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Old Sep 2, 2008 | 11:18 PM
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Originally Posted by Dave Sponaugle
I bought a couple sets (all they had) when Autozone was liquidating stock.

Given what can happen with the other brands, 25 dollars each is cheap.
There is no way you can pull and replace a head for 200 dollars.
THATS THE TRUTH!!!! I spent $16.00 each for the ZD-9's..... that and the head gasket set came to over $500.
and thats not counting the hot tanking, silicone, copper gasket spray, small gaskets, O rings and paint.... it ads up fast...
 
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