Ford 8N Carb Problem

[stevegintn]

My '49(?) Ford 8N tractor (front distributor) quit on me, and I saw that gas was running out of the bottom of the carb lower body. Closer inspection revealed a recessed screw had fallen out. I removed the lower body, and reinstalled with a temporary plug, but now misses badly. Can anyone tell me what that part is? - either it was not simply a drain plug, or I reassembled something wrong.

I've attached a picture showing where the missing screw is (see arrow).

Apprec any help!

SteveG in TN

 

[wedge40]

Steve here is a better website to post this question.
Antique Tractors - Yesterday's Tractors : Antique Tractor Headquarters
There are discussion forms and one of them is Ford 9N, 2N & 8N

Wedge

 

[stevegintn]

Thanks, Wedge! - I already did that ...

Steve

 

[skipmarcy]

Once upon a time it was a brass plug filter - similar to the old brass fuel filters used in GM (Rochester) carbs. It is merely a vent for the throat of the carb, to let any liquids drain out but not allow dirt into the throat area. Will not affect the operation of the carb but will allow unfiltered air into the intake if not plugged. If there was a screw in there, a rebuilder must have installed it. Marvel Schebler carbs. are notorious for floats going bad and taking on gas, shake the float to see if this has happened. Also the seat of the needle & seat assembly may have loosened and started backing out. The float can be roughly adjusted if you turn the carb upside down and the float should be very close to parallel to the airhorn gasket surface, gasket in place. If you have the actual spec., use a drill bit of the proper size as a gauge to measure from the top of the float to the gasket surface. Float drop is important too, the float can potentially hang open if it drops too far, can't remember what that spec is, I think around 1 9/16" or so. The large plug underneath is a drain for the main jet well - debris collects here first and will cause serious running problems. The main jet can be removed with this plug out but be sure you have the exact size screwdriver for the jet and be careful - it is brass and easily broken. The small adjusting screw on the carb is the idle mixture - adjust it with the engine at low idle. The large screw adjusts the power circuit mixture, adjust it at operating rpms and normal engine temp. Good luck.

 

[stevegintn]

Thanks again, guys! - Skip, I posted to the N-forum, and there was given the John Deere cross-ref part number (75-98) for a replacement 'strainer', as it's called.

Called my local JD dealer, and they'll have me one in the morning (cost ~$6).

I may try my luck and screw it in, see how she runs ... if no luck, it's remove, disassemble, clean, and readjust. if that doesn't help, guess a new carb?

 

[stevegintn]

OK, I got my $6 part at the JD dealer yesterday.

But one more question: it's a simple little 'strainer' plug, i.e. not any kind of 'screw' or bolt (no threads). However, the hole in the bowl it came out of is threaded.

Does it just pop in? - if so, will it stay?

Going out in a minute and remove the whole carb, to get a better look.

 

[beaner68]

i found a 49 8n this past week has water coming out the exhaust and rear lift is weak other wise tractor is clean owner may sell since i now mow his pasture he said he might sell for 1500$

 

[kenmac]

OK, I got my $6 part at the JD dealer yesterday.

But one more question: it's a simple little 'strainer' plug, i.e. not any kind of 'screw' or bolt (no threads). However, the hole in the bowl it came out of is threaded.

Does it just pop in? - if so, will it stay?

Going out in a minute and remove the whole carb, to get a better look.

They must have gotten you the wrong part. I would take the carb to them & show them the part you need. There may have been different bowls for that carb. meaning 2 different parts. I had a carb like that on a fegurson that I onced owned. Cleaned it several times . but , I don't remember seeing that part

 

[stevegintn]

They must have gotten you the wrong part. I would take the carb to them & show them the part you need. There may have been different bowls for that carb. meaning 2 different parts. I had a carb like that on a fegurson that I onced owned. Cleaned it several times . but , I don't remember seeing that part

Nope, Ken, it's what I needed - I was mistaken about the hole being threaded - you just tap the porous strainer 'plug' in to the hole and that seemed to do it ...

So I pulled the little carb and did that, went to put it back on, and as my luck goes, one of the carb studs broke when I was tightening it.

So pulled it off again, drilled out the broken stud, and luckily, AutoZone had a set of (water pump) studs the same size.

Put it back on again with new stud, fired it up and it ran great for about 5 minutes. Cut it off, but now it won't start.

Back to the drawing board!

 

[stevegintn]

Well, maybe I'm an Idiot? - went back last evening and it started and ran fine - maybe I had the key off?

Thanks again for all the help!