To to pick a good value with good quality

[driskelljc]

Have a 1996 F250 7.3L with air conditioning with 250,000 miles on it. Need to replace old glow plugs ASAP. After reading what others on here have said I think I will replace the GPR, and GP harness as well. When I go online to find what is available I see that there are sites like (napa) that have the valve gasket with pigtails and glow plug harness for around $80.00 where as other sites sell just the valve gasket for over $200.00

1) How do I pick a good valve gasket . wiring harness
2) I am I looking at a deal that will bite me in the end if I skimp on cost and go with Napa's Dorman gasket / wire harness set for $80.00?

Appreciate any insight to the matter, always trying to learn about my truck !

Jake

[dakat9]

Just want to share my experience with aftermarket Dorman gaskets.

Recently had to replace the IDM for a fault, and while doing so, replaced both sets of UVC harnesses, gaskets and connectors, since they were melted. MY truck is also a 96 PSD , but it has 280,000 on it.

After many headaches, and trying to figure out why the IDM replacement wasnt working, we traced the fault back to an UVC harness on cylinder 8.

This was replaced, and the buzz test showed that the system passed.

Needless to say, put the valve covers back on, drove the truck for a day, and truck felt a little powerless. Buzz test revealed that cylinder 5 was malfunctioning. Turns out the clip that holds the connector on the injector was coming loose, not seating very well.

Took the Dorman product out, replaced it with OEM International parts, trucks been working without issue.

In my experience, the savings of Dorman aftermarket was not worth it to the cost difference of the International parts. Whatever you decide, hopefully your experience will be better than mine.

[dakat9]

Forgot, you can either contact the local Ford dealer, or International Dealer, or you can get OEM Ford from this place:

7.3 Power Stroke diesel glow plug related parts

Aftermarket you can get anywhere, including Northern Auto Parts, from Ebay, NAPA....etc....pick your poison.