Whats a glow plug and how does it work?
Whats a starter box?

Look at the previous threads for the past few days and read them. You will find out a lot about nitro cars and engines including the answer to your questions. You are asking very basic stuff which I don't mind answering but it would be easier for me (a lot less time) and more informative to you if you follow and read the threads. I am guessing that you are new to the hobby and do not own a nitro or electric car.

I have a electric rustler but i dont know nothing bought gas

Rustlers rule. I have some tips for you about them. Email me at [email protected]. Also, a glow plug is a coil that is heated by a glow ignitor that snaps on the top. The ignitor makes the coil inside glow red hot. When you pull the starter cord the gas is ignited by the heat of the glow plug. When the piston comes up, it primes the gas in a way that makes the glow plug ignite it and makes the gas expand pushing the piston back down. Phew... Hope that helps.

JAG

Also, a starter box is a box that has motors in it that just turns the flywheel on the engine and starts the engine quicker, and easier, but for a price. They cost about $100 for a decent one.

JAG

Do different brands of glow plugs work on different brand of engines ?

for example I have an OS engine .... can i use a Tamiya/ HPI glowplug with it ?

Hi cloud: Yes you can use different brand name glow plugs in any glow engine that I know of. I run .12 to .15 engines that are not super high performance, but a little more than a sport engine. I have had the best luck with os #8 plugs. Everyone has their preference, but these have served me well. There are long and short reach plugs. There are also different heat ranges. The heat range used is affected by the compression ratio, the nitro %, atmospheric conditions and so on. This gets pretty involved. The best place I have found for info. so far is rcfaq.com. This deals mainly with airplane stuff but should give you a better idea of what glow plugs are all about.
Starter boxes are handy. I would almost say a must. I have to many problems with recoil type starters. You can get an airplane type starter and I think it is Sullivan, makes a wheel you can put on it to start cars. They are a little awkward till you get used to them but you can get by for about $50. Good luck and happy holidays. Garry

All the posters above are correct. Glow plugs are not brand specific. Glow plugs are like spark plugs except it does not need current to ignite. All it requires is compression and fuel at higher rpm. For this reason, it requires initial igniting when starting.

The following plugs are popular among rc'ers and racers alike. Adjust the plug heat according to weather. Would want to use colder plug in warmer condition.

OS #8
RB #4/5
McCoy MC 59
McCoy MC 9

Note that Dynamite have a plug called MC 59. My choice is McCoy brand.