glow plug issues

[ididieseler]

hey guys
im almost finished with swapping a 7.3 idi into my 1978 f150, but have ing a few problems, in the last month ive went through 2 sets of glow plugs, i think its because they are 9 volt glow plugs and i didnt bother to wire in the box beneath the glow plug solenoid, also i didnt have the right solenoid and i just used one laying on a shelf in my shop, anybody know for sure if the glow plugs are 9 volts, or do i have a different problem, if it is my problem i should be able to simply put in a resister and be fine right?

 

[dgr]

You have 8 1-2 ohm resistors in parallel that are your glow plugs. That is 1/8 to 1/4 ohm resistance with all 8 plugs functioning. E=IR, I=E/R I= 12/.25 = 48 Amps. 48Amps x 12 volts = 576 watts if they are all 2 ohm. If they are all 1 ohm, that's 1100+ watts. That's a pretty big resistor you are looking for.

If you look at a picture of the 7.3 controller, you can see a flat z-bar that goes from the energized side of the glow plug relay to the glow plug wiring. That is the resistor in this circuit.
http://www.oilburners.net/articles/glowplugbypass.htm

Are you manually triggering your glow plugs or do you have some sort of controller running them? How long are they on for? What is your IP timing set to? That can eat glow plugs up if it is too far advanced.

The wisdom around here says Beru zd-9 and nothing else. What glow plugs are you using? I sourced some Olds 350 diesel glow plugs for my 6.9L but they won't work in your application as the connectors are spade and not bullet.

 

[ididieseler]

i have a button in the cab, and i run them for 10 seconds. ip timing is stock,im using champions because thats what the local parts store had, and thats what i took out

 

[thx997303]

The champions are one of your problems. Go ahead and get motorcraft/beru zd9 glow. Plugs.

 

[riotwarrior]

First get a real 7.3 glow plug controller setup properly and find some Beru GP's. Keeping it stock and simple is the best.

Get rid of champion plugs they are *****!

What do you mean timing is stock? How do you know that? Check the timing and time it properly as that can eat GP's too.

JM2CW

Al

 

[IDIBRONCO]

Try holding your button for 8 seconds. That's what we always did at the shop I used to work at and I still do that today.

 

[icanfixall]

Champion or Autolite glowplugs. They are proven to be the worst cheap plug for our engines hands down. Many have tried but they fail sometimes with horrible consaquences. We know of some members that had to remove the heads to get the broken plug tips out of the engine. Never try to run an engine with a broke plug tip in the cylinder. there is only around 42 thousands clearance between the piston top and the head. It will hammer the piston and imbed into it ruining the piston. As posted please install a set of Motorcraft Beru ZD9 glow plugs and... Find out what your timing is set at. Anything above 10.5 degrees advanced will ruin the glow plugs no matter which type you install..