Acquired non-running 8N - where to start

[Soundguy]

to the op.

is this a side mount?

if so you can make it run with 5 wires.


make sure you have a hot battery.

run wire from battery to coil, from coil to side of distribuitor.

battery wires to chassis and solenoid.

wire from thumb button to solenoid.

make sure points are clean and gapped to .025.

tsc points are tisco and junk, by the way.

 

[MossRoad]

you didn't have a 58 8n....

I had to look that one up!

 

[Soundguy]

I had to look that one up!

ford model years are very specific.

he could have had one produced from sometime in 47 thru some time in 52.

In 58, he'd have an 01 model. like a 601, 801, etc...

 

[davesl708]

you didn't have a 58 8n....

My mistake. I was told by the previous owner it was a 58. did not research it.

 

[Soundguy]

My mistake. I was told by the previous owner it was a 58. did not research it.

common issue.

people own a tractor for years or decades and don't even know what they have, then sell it to someone and pass on bad info, leaving the new owner knowing less than the previous one.

I sometimes wonder how the machine was maintained without correct info.. luckilly ford side mount points, cap, condensor, etc. changed.. none, between mid 1950 and mid 1964.., etc..

 

[MossRoad]

My mistake. I was told by the previous owner it was a 58. did not research it.

Maybe he bought it in 58, or got married in 58, or his grandpa bought it in 58, or it cost $58, etc.... I get years mixed up sometimes. My siblings remember things differently about our family history than I do. I've found family pictures with dates and locations that are completely incorrect. Best one was of my grandpa holding up a HUGE catfish. Back of it said it was at the lake cottage they owned in Michigan.... but the palm trees in the background make me doubt that! :laughing:

 

[2458n]

Sound guy beat me on that one. Grandparents had a 52 8n and a 53 jubilee. Spelling is probably wrong but grew up with those tractors which allowed a 15 year old kid working on them. Still have the 8n.

 

[fire72]

Owners actually told me it was a 9N. Redbelly, shifter and brakes wrong for a 9N, found the block marked as an 8N and the serial number showed as a 1950 when I looked it up. Cranking issue is almost certainly the battery - cheapest battery walmart sells, 3 1/2 years old and a 1 year warranty. When showing as charged on my charger, got half a crank, but wouldn't turn all the way over. I pulled the battery, but pretty sure it will test with at least one bad cell and need to be replaced. I'm sure its A problem, just don't know yet if it's THE problem. Once I have a good battery in it, I can start checking for other issues. Battery is a group size 75 side terminal 12 volt, obviously newer 12 volt alternator doesn't look anything like the 6 volt generator on the '52 I used to have. Are there obvious errors in a 12 volt conversion to look for? I didn't know the former owner before he died, but I've heard he didn't have a great reputation for quality of work, and done work myself on a truck he used to own. Good chance he boogered up something...

Restoration, if done, would be a backyard job for my satisfaction in a less rusty tractor, not for an investment. Right now, I just need a quick repair job to make it usable - made a deal for the spreader it needs to pull tonight. Otherwise, I'm starting from scratch on equipment, with a back blade the only implement that comes with it as all of my other equipment and former tractors were sold before my divorce. Feels good to be back in the saddle, though.

 

[davesl708]

Maybe he bought it in 58, or got married in 58, or his grandpa bought it in 58, or it cost $58, etc.... I get years mixed up sometimes. My siblings remember things differently about our family history than I do. I've found family pictures with dates and locations that are completely incorrect. Best one was of my grandpa holding up a HUGE catfish. Back of it said it was at the lake cottage they owned in Michigan.... but the palm trees in the background make me doubt that! :laughing:

I will cut the guy some slack. He was 94. The tractor came with the property.

 

[MossRoad]

I will cut the guy some slack. He was 94. The tractor came with the property.

Can't beat that. :thumbsup: