1952 Ford 8n...worth buying?

[wolc123]

If it has been converted to 12 volt, the first thing I would check is the compression on all cylinders. Many tractors with worn engines were converted to 12 volts to ease starting with worn motors. My 1951 8n still starts very good on 6 volts when the temperature is well below zero. 12 volt conversion is a big red flag for me on an old tractor for this reason.

 

[chriscos]

If it has been converted to 12 volt, the first thing I would check is the compression on all cylinders. Many tractors with worn engines were converted to 12 volts to ease starting with worn motors. My 1951 8n still starts very good on 6 volts when the temperature is well below zero. 12 volt conversion is a big red flag for me on an old tractor for this reason.

Good point!

Good info about compression testing here:
http://www.ntractorclub.com/howtos/pdfs/compression_testing_tutorial.pdf

 

[mmurphy]

If it has been converted to 12 volt, the first thing I would check is the compression on all cylinders. Many tractors with worn engines were converted to 12 volts to ease starting with worn motors. My 1951 8n still starts very good on 6 volts when the temperature is well below zero. 12 volt conversion is a big red flag for me on an old tractor for this reason.

Could be a problem.

Also, hard to find 6 volt stuff.

 

[wolc123]

JoeTX maxes a good point about fuel usage with the 8n. They were a very efficient tractor back in the day and yes they were significantly better than the later Fords with the overhead valve engines that replaced them (which is why I will never again own a Ford tractor made after 1952 unless someone gives it to me). The 1951 and 1952 have the most-refined flat-heads that Ford, or anyone else for that matter, produced and I dont know if anyone was ever able to crank that kind of efficiency out of a gas-burning overhead valve tractor engine. If you are running off-road diesel in your modern CUT, the 8n probably will not get the work done for less fuel cost. If you are running on-road stuff, as most homeowners do, then I would expect the gas-burning 8n would almost always outwork a modern CUT for the same dollars in fuel given how much more a gallon of that stuff costs than gas today. You will still loose the fuel efficiency battle to any modern, diesel 4wd, CUT however when it comes to loader work or tillage. The 8n's 2wd powertrain limits fuel efficiency compared to 4wd for those jobs. As others have mentioned, there is almost nothing worse to do with an 8n than to put a loader on one. That pretty much takes away all the good things about it (manuverability, good power/wieght ratio, etc.). In today's weak economy, you should easily be able to score a fine-condition 8n for under 2k.

 

[chriscos]

Could be a problem.

Also, hard to find 6 volt stuff.

For the 8n (and 2n/9n), all of the 6-volt stuff is readily available. I think TSC stocks the 6-volt lights, coil, etc. Plus *all* of the 6-volt equipment is available online at multiple sites.

Mine was 12-volt when I got it, but if it were 6-volt I'd probably leave it be.

 

[jonyyuma]

Mine had sidemount distributor trouble, Points just did not last, always having to tinker, before it ran good. I put a pertinox ignition module in it with their coil. The best thing i did lately for it.It starts in about 2 revolutions.. My 12 volt is a Gm alternator,55amps, very little problems. Never changed the starter, just a bendeix. Main problem, NO rops and lift is not live....Still an ICON for it's day...I keep it to help out, and bust up garden..

 

[PHILIP8N]

12 volt conversion is a big red flag for me on an old tractor for this reason.

It is not a 'big red flag' if the tractor has been converted to 12VDC. Yes, some people do it because of low compression, but that can be checked. I did it because my generator went out and I wanted to install an alternator. Now I have brighter 12VDC lights, I can run my 12VDC sprayer, I can jump a 12VDC vehicle, or a 12VDC vehicle can jump me. Nothing wrong with a 6VDC positive ground system if that is what you like, but conerverting to 12VDC negative ground system was a means to do more for me. Philip.

 

[flusher]

And that's why we run over running coupler's on our 8Ns

Yep--that's what he found out--the hard way.

 

[JDGreenGrass]

I cant believe no one has mentioned one yet with 12 posts. Hard to believe 11 guys are suffering without one. They are almost as good as live pto.QUOTE]

No, I did not mention it. If he gets the 8N I am sure he will go to ytymag and get more information there than he will here. No, I am not suffering, I have one on my 8N, almost everyone does. I love my 8N, but having an ORC on one does not make it anywheres close to 'almost as good as a having a live pto'. With that being said, if OP has long runs of straight grass to cut and not many obsticles, the clutch operated pto is not that big of a deal, you learn to work with it. Philip.

What a beautifull set of pictures.!!:thumbsup:

 

[kosby]

An 8N is one of my favorite tractors. If it is in good shape, I'd buy it as it will easily do everything you mentioned. It's a no frills work horse that is simple to use and maintain. Being a 1952 model, if memory serves me correctly, it should have a side mount distributor vs the older ones where the distributor is located on the front of the engine. The sides mount makes it a lot easier doing tune ups. Also, if you do buy it and have buyers remorse, you can always resell it for what you have into it. I'd go for it in a minute. In fact, I'd like to find a nice one myself to park beside my Kubota although my wife just wouldn't understand.