willswheels
RC Newbie
Can someone tell me the difference between medium reach and long reach plugs and can they both be run in any type nitro engine?My OS calls for a long and the picco26 I am putting in calls for a medium reach.Educate me please!
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Medium vs Long reach glow plugs
- Thread starter willswheels
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2revo1maxx
Hardcore RCTalk User
Actually, the picco 26 takes a standard long reach with a medium heat range.
I'm not 100% sure about the short plugs, but I do know if an engine requires one, you'd better use it!
As for short plugs in any other engine I've used them before and it won't hurt anything. Just like the heat range, plug length will affect timing.
The heat range is all about timing, not how cool or hot the engine will run. The general rule is to use a medium hot or hot plug in a small block, and a medium plug in a big block....generally speaking.
---------- Post added at 8:10 AM ---------- Previous post was at 8:08 AM ----------
A hotter plug will also give better idling characteristics and throttle response, while a colder plug is more suited for high rpms.
I'm not 100% sure about the short plugs, but I do know if an engine requires one, you'd better use it!
As for short plugs in any other engine I've used them before and it won't hurt anything. Just like the heat range, plug length will affect timing.
The heat range is all about timing, not how cool or hot the engine will run. The general rule is to use a medium hot or hot plug in a small block, and a medium plug in a big block....generally speaking.
---------- Post added at 8:10 AM ---------- Previous post was at 8:08 AM ----------
A hotter plug will also give better idling characteristics and throttle response, while a colder plug is more suited for high rpms.
@willswheels Long/short is just how long the threaded part of the glowplug is. Long is a thread or two longer than a short. Not really sure why RC mfr's make different depths of heads as it seems fairly irrelevant since when the right plug is installed, it's flush with the inside of the combustion chamber dome on the bottom of the head button.
Too long of a plug will make the end of the plug stick out in the combustion chamber which will screw up the flow inside the burn room a bit and goof up the compression ratio.
Too short of a plug will do the same except the plug will be recessed more than it should be which may make it hard to get started.
The "typical" glow plug types:
Long: http://www.amainhobbies.com/search?s=71653000
Short: http://www.amainhobbies.com/search?s=71605300
Turbo: http://www.amainhobbies.com/search?s=71641300
Long looks to be 6 threads, short is 5 threads, turbo is different altogether.
I know Traxxas engines use a long one, which may be why the Picco 26 (at least the max version) uses a long one.
IMHO, 1 thread won't damage your engine as the head button/combustion dome is recessed 1/4" (or there about). The issue it will cause will be the compression ratio and air flow.
Too long of a plug will make the end of the plug stick out in the combustion chamber which will screw up the flow inside the burn room a bit and goof up the compression ratio.
Too short of a plug will do the same except the plug will be recessed more than it should be which may make it hard to get started.
The "typical" glow plug types:
Long: http://www.amainhobbies.com/search?s=71653000
Short: http://www.amainhobbies.com/search?s=71605300
Turbo: http://www.amainhobbies.com/search?s=71641300
Long looks to be 6 threads, short is 5 threads, turbo is different altogether.
I know Traxxas engines use a long one, which may be why the Picco 26 (at least the max version) uses a long one.
IMHO, 1 thread won't damage your engine as the head button/combustion dome is recessed 1/4" (or there about). The issue it will cause will be the compression ratio and air flow.