the injection pump is made of alumium with tight clearances inside. if it is at engine temp(195 degrees) and u spray 40-60 degree water onto it, it will warp and throw tolerances way off.

 

My 89 7.3 seems to have had all of he GPs changed at some point, EXCEPT the most difficult ones. Most importantly the one closest to the driver position will completly un-thread but from there it will not remove... Whats going on with that?

 

It's possible the head of the plug could have swollen. It's also possible it's just covered in soot. I would unthread it and soak it with penetrating oil then slowly twist it back and forth while pulling straight up. I had two glow plugs come out this way. If the tip has swollen then you are in for a fight. They usually break off and fall into the prechamber.

 

And should it fall into the pre chamber? What then?

 

well, if the pistion is at TDC, it cant drop any farther. remove injector and put shop air to the GP hole and a vacuume witha rag over the end of it to the injector hole. the rag is to ensure u got the peice out.


something else u could try and some have had success doing this. unthread that gp all the way, unhook the wires from injection pump, place a blanket or towel over the engine and crank it over. compression should blow it out.

 

Tried the penetrating oil and the cranking... Neither worked. About to give up and use ether on it for the rest of its life It is my "bulldozer" after all.

 

Some people have found a nut that threads onto a GP and cut it in half to slip over the GP. They clamp it together and use that to help pull the plug straight out further. I'm not sure if I said that right, but hopefully you get the gist of it. I can go look for it in greater detail if you like.

 

OTC sells them. only issue is the tip normally breaks off using them.

cheapest i found in the quick serch i did.
OTC - SPX , 6005A Glow Plug Remover Tool Set


here is some good info on GP removals.
"Glow plug removal article"

 

Thanks. Maybe Grandpa's truck deserves better than an ether addiction.

 

Hmmm,wonder if you could just fire it up
Seems like that should move some air,might wanna put something over the plug in case it works though,it would be a bummer to get a dent in the hood.