How to change glow plugs

[Bigpapa]

I'm going to be replacing the glow plugs in a 97 Ford with a 7.3. I've never done it before and I'm not really sure what I'm getting myself into. I'm not too familiar with diesels but surely it can't be very difficult. Can someone point me in the right direction of a step by step procedure or give me any advice?

[Grape]

valve covers off, new, $50 per side valve cover gaskets

[Mysticcobrakilla]

It's pretty self explanatory once you get the valve covers off. If you have never replaced the valve cover gaskets go ahead and do it now. The connections for the injectors/glow plugs tend to melt and will become a problem. They all do it, just a matter of when.

[Bigpapa]

What do you do if the connectors are melted?

[Mysticcobrakilla]

What do you do if the connectors are melted?

9 times out of 10 it's just the part of the valve cover gasket that the electrical connections pass through that melts.

[Bigpapa]

Any special tools needed?

[Mysticcobrakilla]

Any special tools needed?

Nope. Just a deep socket for the glow plugs.

[Bigpapa]

Cool. Sounds pretty straight forward. Thanks for the help.

[appelingogt]

suggest replacing the harnesses while your there