020 glow head cleaning?

or drill and tap it and fit i regular glow plug straight in

Your plug has probably lost the platinum coating of the filament.

Here's a clip I copied from http://www.fubarhill.com/GLOW.htm

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Once the cycle has started, the power source can be disconnected, as with the heat generated at combustion the CATALYTIC Reaction generated between the methanol and platinum in the plug coils becomes sufficient to keep the process going. The catalytic reaction is a reaction whereby platinum will glow in the presence of methyl alcohol vapour. This will happen without any external power source being applied.
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Not sure about the actual science behind the phenomenom, what reacts with what and so on, or whether the explanation above is 100% correct. But methanol and platinum are both needed and it seems that you have a worn out plug. Fortunately these are still available PeeWee head is a bit "wee" for a standard plug conversion, but I suppose it could be done too.

While I feel the glow plug is certainly shot, what % nitro are you using? A plug that's on it's way out using low nitro in these engines can cool off immediately and shut the engine down. The smaller ones can run very well and be less finicky on higher nitro 35%-45% . This certainly keeps the fire lit. Bob Matte makes a Nelson drop in style plug for the TD .020. http://www.flyfreeflight.com/Site/Home.html   Ken

This was with 10% nitro, I do have 33% nitro, i'll give it a try. Thanks; Don

Tried 33% nitro, Runs a few seconds after glow power removed. guess I need a new glow head. Don

What size prop are you using??

4" prop. Don

Look at the filliment, if it's dull it's probably shot. The coil should have a shiny chrome look to it.

could have a break as another possibility sometimes the coil needs to be recenterd, you don't want it to be leaning up against the inner wall it will reduce its ability to reach full glow.

I would recommend trying a new glowplug.  They wear out the platinum plating but the base metal of the glow element (nichrome?) still glows with power applied.  That may be enough to get the last little bit of plating to fire the engine but there is not enough plating to keep the fire lit because the plating is what keeps the base metal hot when the power is disconnected.

Unplated,
Forgetful John