glow plugs
 

I just installed a set of wellman glow plugs today, by far the best I've used plus they were only $56.95 on eBay. The previous owner had autolites installed that were swollen and cracked but luckily they did'nt break when I was removing them. Now tomorrow I have to weld the crack next to my block heater. Anyone ever had this problem?

very common on the EARLY engines only. it is from using the block heater and the block being to thin in that area. if you can weld it up, dont use the block heater. also if you need a coolant heater look into Kats inline heaters. they go in the bottom rad hose and work well.

DAMN...... that blows.... I use mine like all the time... I'm gonna go uplug the damn thing i guess...... hey dieselcrawler, is this common in all the 7.3's and 6.9's ?
mine is an 88 cali....

nope. just the EARLY motors. 83/84 were prone to it. by 85 they got it figured out. but the 7.3 is prone to cavitation if the SCA/DCA were not kept up on.

Kewl.... yeah i make sure my sca's are in check every 3 months I go buy a check strip from the diesel shop here in tacoma..... glad i dont have to worry bout usin my block heater... i love to leave mine plugged in .. helps me get up and roll out... I'm a mobile mechanic.... some time middle of the night..... not usually though.... what is the torque on the head bolts for a 88 7.3 cali ??? cant seem to get an awnser.. info would be good... and how much hp/tq is stock on one of these??? I'm gonna dyno soon i think

when my truck is sitting in idle i can hear a somewhat loud tick from the engine, i'm guessing i might need the glow plugs replaced. Also starting it up in morning is a struggle. I run a 900W amp to the battery (put new one in year-yearhalf ago) might that be killing it or is it something else in the engine?