8n won't start

   / 8n won't start #1  

tkcarter3

New member
Joined
May 3, 2008
Messages
1
Have a 1949 8n that has been hard to start for a couple months. Now won't start at all. Will start to turn over then makes a weird noise which goes from loud to soft and then goes clunk. Any ideas. I no my description is not good.
 
   / 8n won't start #2  
not to be a smart *** but is the battery up to snuff? my old 2n (6v) always sounde like it never had enough to turn it over , but that sucker always started.
 
   / 8n won't start #3  
tkcarter3 said:
Have a 1949 8n that has been hard to start for a couple months. Now won't start at all. Will start to turn over then makes a weird noise which goes from loud to soft and then goes clunk. Any ideas. I no my description is not good.

If the battery is OK and the cable connections are clean, it sounds like your starter may need a new Bendix gear.
 
   / 8n won't start #4  
If it actually makes a couple cranks, and then kicks out, what is likely happening is thge engine coughs a bit, and this is enough to kick out the old style drive gear.

2 options, 1, do a tune up on her so that she actually starts instead of coughs, or ( AND ) det a new 'follow thru' clutch style drive gear that won't kick out.

I'd start with a new set of points.. or at least clean up your old set and regap. .015 for the front mounts.( new tisco set costs about 4$... takes 10 minutes to change them ) A new set of champion h12 or autolite 437 plugs gapped at .025, and a nice soft set of copper core plug wires. Make sure your electrical connections at the ignition switch and the balalst resistor are clean, bright and tight.

post back if you need help.

soundguy
 
   / 8n won't start #5  
Another thing to look at is the condition of the starter itself. A weak starter can make the engine turn enough to get a cylinder to "cough" once which might be enough to kick out the inertial style Bendix gear which the N tractors have. But not enough to really start the tractor. One thing that happens with a weak starter is the bushings are hogged out and the armature starts turning non-concentrically and actually rubs on the field wiring. This causes a tremendous current draw, which if you test the starter electrically it will show a very high amperage. A couple of new bushings and a set of brushes and the starter will really spin, much more likely to actually start the tractor, especially one that maybe needs a tuneup, or a carb job, or even a motor job.
simonmeridew
 
   / 8n won't start #6  
Don't know if you've got your tractor going yet but it sounds like the starter drive is going bad. I have a '49 8N myself & it isn't uncommon for this part to go bad. Mine always seems to hook back up though I have a new one (about $35) on the shelf waiting to be installed.

You can jump start the 6V system with a 12V battery & that may give it the kick to get it going. I do it once in a while if it's very cold.

Just remember that the 8N is POSITIVE ground, so be sure to reverse the cables.
 
   / 8n won't start #7  
Sure sounds like the starter to me. I had mine rebuilt after it went. There are
a lot of old tractor shops around here, so I had no problem finding a place to
fix it.

I had to replace it in the middle of a pasture in August in
Tennessee. No Fun!! That thing is heavy! :D
 
   / 8n won't start #8  
While I'd pull it to inspect the bushings.. the drive kicking out does not specifically mean the drive or starter is bad. they are merely doind what they are designed for... whent he engine coughs.. it overspeeds and unlocks/unwinds/kicks the drive gear out... the fact that it don't start may be a tune up issue.. baring mechanical damage to the starter or solenoid that can be diagnosed by observation and testing.

soundguy
 
   / 8n won't start #9  
When he used the "clunk" word, I instantly thought of the starter, as mine
sounded at least like a clunk along with major grind, whir and spin! :p
 
   / 8n won't start #10  
Sure sounds like the starter to me. I had mine rebuilt after it went. There are
a lot of old tractor shops around here, so I had no problem finding a place to
fix it.

I had to replace it in the middle of a pasture in August in
Tennessee. No Fun!! That thing is heavy! :D

Does the 1949 8N front distributer have a solenoid on the starter motor?
My daughters tractor was worked on and now the button switch just smokes
when trying to start. There is no solenoid above the starter.
 

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