hfinley

It has been a number of years since I messed with RC planes. I still have my planes and would like to get the back going. They are all 2 stroke glow plug engines of vatious makes and sizes. Is there a certain glow plug that can be used reliably with all of them? At one time a hobby store man put me on to one brand that you didn't have to keep changing for a fresh plug all the time. I've forgotten all that. Thank you.

Steve Collins

My Feedback: (8)

After a huge amount of experimenting back in the day, I found that the very best plug by far with the best longevity is the McCoy MC9 glow plug. The same plug is sold under several different brand names but they all are "MC-9". These have been used in sport 2 stroke engines as well as ducted fan engines and even on propane start turbine engines with great success and better performance than all others.

https://www.ebay.com/p/1800128393

https://gravesrc.com/mccmc9-mccoy-mc...cing-plug-1ea/

OverdriveRC | Radio Control (RC) Cars and Trucks

speedracerntrixie

My Feedback: (29)

The fact is that different engines respond better to different heat range of the glow plug. Compression ratio and nitro content influences the heat ranges as well. Without knowing specifics, suggesting a glow plug that results in ideal operation is a bit pointless.

Propworn

My Feedback: (3)

Like you Steve I tried many plugs looking for the best all around plug for my 2 and 4 strokes. I wasn't looking for the best performance plug just a plug that would run well under most circumstances and engine choice. As a regular attendee at Toledo I was able to pick up whole cards of differing plugs to try. When I found a plug that did not perform well in all the engines I had it was easy to sell off the rest of the card. The Fox Mirical Plug worked for most however it was a bit sensitive to nitro content. I like to use 15 percent synthetic for all my engines except bushing engines that I add a bit of castor to the fuel. The OS worked well in the 2 stroke and the F for four strokes was the absolute best. With the 4 strokes figured out I kept whittling away at the 2 strokes. I kept buying cards until I picked up a bunch of Hanger 9 Performance 2 stroke plugs. Man they worked in everything I had that could use a long plug. They became my 2 stoke plug of choice. Then they stopped making them. A phone call and I found out they were actually MCoy MC14 plugs repackaged for sale through Hanger 9. In Toledo I picked up 3 cards of them and even with selling a few off to members in my club I figure to have enough to last the rest of my flying time. So for me it's MC14 by MCoy in my 2 strokes and OS F for all my 4 strokes. For fuel, I use 15% synthetic and will add more synthetic oil blend or castor as needed. I love the fact I can keep it so simple and get great performance from my nitro collection.
Dennis

GREG DOE

As Dennis has mentioned several different brands of glow plugs came from the same factory. At one time Irwin Olson made plugs for K&B, McCoy, Fire Ball, Hanger 9, and probably others. Fox captured a large portion of the market when they got into making their own plugs, as did OS. For a long time all the Japanese engines were shipped without plugs, because they were too expensive to manufacturer in Japan, and we could make them cheaper here in the US. In recent years the element wire (mostly platinum) has become very expensive. Al Kelly made the Merlin line of plugs, but unfortunately when he died no one was interested in continuing the business. I don't know who is making traditional glow plugs in this country today, but since the demand has dwindled because of electric power there can't be much money in them. Nelson still makes racing plugs, which have a bigger body then the 1/4"32 standard plugs. I think currently the Nelson plugs are $8.00 each, and are probably sold at a break even price, because without plugs you'll have a hard time selling engines!

daveopam

My Feedback: (9)

Personally I like a OS #8 in most 2 strokes and a OS "F" in four strokes and large Super Tigres.

David

Propworn

My Feedback: (3)

There are so many variables that each and every one of us will have to experiment to find the plug/plugs that suit our needs. I don't think anyone will agree on the one for all and all for one when it comes to which plug is best. It can simply be what the availability is or the fuel. If you are having trouble then try a different plug. Most times the answer locally can be found with the pilot who flies without dead sticking and seems to have totally reliable engines. Ask I am certain he will not only tell you the kind but where he sources them from.

With 4 strokes the only plug that has wide recognition as the best is the OS F plug so if it were me I would start out with that plug for any 4 strokes I have in my collection.

jaka54

Here in Europe where we use no nitro or around just 5% nitro, Enya 3-4 ,OS 8, Rossi 3-4 ,Nova Rossi 3-4 in two strokes (and many more) and only OS F plug in four strokes!

hfinley

Thank you for these answers. So I do search for OS #8 plugs. $12-13 apiece???.That's crazy.

J330

My Feedback: (3)

5 pack of Enya 3 is about as good as it gets.

speedracerntrixie

My Feedback: (29)

While I regard Enya glow plugs as some of the best, install a #3 in a Super Tigre, Webra, Rossi or Picco engine and you could have issues with pre ignition. Especially if running more then 5% nitro. When choosing the heat range of the glow plug, you need to consider the engines compression ratio and nitro content in your fuel.