Glow Plug Washers

[Andy J]

Acquired a selection of glow plugs in an old flight box some months ago but none have any washers.  Having just purchased a couple of engines which came without plugs fitted I could now do with finding appropriate washers to allow use of the plugs.

Did a quick search on eBay for small copper washers but to no avail, so can anyone recommend a suitable supply source of glow plug washers.

[Paul De Tourtoulon]

Go to your local club, we all have a couple of spares in our flight boxes.

[Don Fry]

Called;

copper gasket washers

copper sealing washers.

Available on line.

[Paul De Tourtoulon]

35 minutes ago, Don Fry said:

Called;

copper gasket washers

copper sealing washers.

Available on line.

Just thinking I have just found a load of copper washers in my tool box going back to my days as a mechanic on diesel powered boats, so and diesel garage will have them.

[Ace]

Loads of suppliers on ebay - example

Others may correct but believe 1/4" but check.

[Andy J]

Just put a micrometre on one of my washers and it measures 9mm OD, 6mm ID and 0.6mm thick so working in imperial the ID was measured as 31/128" so rounding that up by 1/128th puts it at a 1/4 inch which confirms your measurement Ace.

 

[Nick Cripps]

Standard glow plugs have a 1/4-32 thread, ie, 1/4" outside diameter, 32 threads per inch.

[Andy J]

17 minutes ago, Nick Cripps said:

Standard glow plugs have a 1/4-32 thread, ie, 1/4" outside diameter, 32 threads per inch.

So assume a 1/4 inch washer will work although the ones I found on ebay are 20gauge which is twice as thick as the sample I have.

[Andy J]

Well even more confused as a site listing 1/4inch washers gave the following dims:

1/4" BSP - Pack of 5

ID - 13.2mm

OD - 19mm

[John Wagg]

1/4" BSP (British Standard Pipe.) relates to a 1/4" bore pipe and is considerably larger than 1/4" glow plugs. 🙄

 

[Andy J]

Well after several searches closest I can get is an M6x10x1mm unless anyone can find a better match to 6x9x0.6.

 

Did wonder if I could cut some washers on my lathe as machining copper should be very easy but my metal turning skills are very limited.

[dave parnham]

Keep it simple and go buy new Glow plugs and try and hold onto that precious washer 😇

[Andy J]

Expensive way to buy washers Dave given most decent plugs seem to sell for about £12 these days.

[Jonathan W]

Model engineering suppliers worth a try, for example Copper washers

[Don Fry]

54 minutes ago, Andy Joyce said:

Well after several searches closest I can get is an M6x10x1mm unless anyone can find a better match to 6x9x0.6.

 

Did wonder if I could cut some washers on my lathe as machining copper should be very easy but my metal turning skills are very limited.

The 6 should fit. The 0.6 will increase the compression of the engine, but very marginally, but make sure the plug does not foul the piston at TDC. If it does, use two washers.

 

But JohnatanW’s suggestion gets a 1/4 inch washer.

[Andy J]

5 hours ago, Jonathan W said:

Model engineering suppliers worth a try, for example Copper washers

Thanks Jonathan, unfortunately the shop may be down for some time due to illness.

[Jonathan W]

3 hours ago, Andy Joyce said:

Thanks Jonathan, unfortunately the shop may be down for some time due to illness.

I think they are having a baby, so hopefully back in business soon.

[Engine Doctor]

Have you tried Model Fixings  ?

[Andy J]

Did have a look, but nothing came up on a site search.

[Andy J]

Have placed an order with Macc Models so will wait to see if they are suitable as they measure 6.5, 9.5, 1.

[Paul De Tourtoulon]

Come on someone who lives in Britain on the forum must have a couple to spare.

[Gary Manuel]

I haven't got two copper washers to rub together.

[Paul De Tourtoulon]

If you are willing to pay for the post I will open up a couple of my new plugs and give you a couple.

[Andy J]

Thanks for the offer Paul but will wait to see what the ones from Macc Models are like.

[Chris Channon]

Send me your address and i will post a few to you.

Regards

Chris