2n ford 1947

georgia plow boy · Aug 23, 2009

Im not sure if this is the right place for this or not, But my 2n tractor is running at about half the power that it should,Im thinking its the curb, since I just had it tuned, new wires ,coil,plugs,starter switch ect.., Ive cleaned all the filters,or put new ones on gas line, also when I took bottom plug out of carb,its leaking now, Any ideas, It ran good for a while after tune up , then as I was bush hogging it got steadily worse,and now it wont even stay running Thanks

Egon · Aug 23, 2009

Did the tractor get run over rough ground that could shake up things a bit?

kenstrac · Aug 23, 2009

Did you check the air cleaner bushhogging stirs up a lot of dust.

georgia plow boy · Aug 23, 2009

I cleaned all the filters, changed the filter on the gas line, I did do some shaking up, I was getting water out of the creek putting it in barrels on a trailer with a pump ,had to back trailer down a hill and when I was pulling out .trailer was stuck and back tire on tractor was on the down side of a big root,so I had to rock it back and fourth a good bit to get it out. should I get carb. rebuilt of try to run some treatment through it, or do somthing else?

Egon · Aug 23, 2009

Maybe check out the fuel flow again and see if there is crud in the tank.

georgia plow boy · Aug 23, 2009

I checked, the gas, today ran it in a glass jar it looked good, but I put new back in it, I put a new fuel line on it and some injector treatment, I finally got it running y pulling it off, It ran awhile at about half or lees then it should be running, and finally died,I couldn't get it back running,Im still thinking its the carb, but Im at a loss,should I have it rebuilt or put a new one on and go from there btw thank yall for the help

wolc123 · Aug 23, 2009

A couple times in the 25 years or so I have had my 51 8n, when it started running at half power, the problem was burnt valves. You can tell if that is the problem by pulling the spark plugs one at a time, placing your thumb over the hole and turning her over. If you feel low compression on one or more cylinders, then bad valves are the most likely problem. Although most of them still running have long ago been replaced, the old Ford valves dont hold up well with unleaded gas. If you only find a couple burnt valves, dont skimp out and just replace those. Do them all or you will have to do them a short time later if you use that tractor for any serious work. Dont ask me how I know this. If you really think the problem is the carb, I think TSC has them on the shelf for under $200. I bought one just so I can swap it out with the other and get back to work quick when it has a problem, rebuilding the other sometime at my leisure. I still do a lot of work with my 8n, and it hasnt given me a lick of trouble since that last valve job 20 years ago. Whoever says those old n's take a lot of maintenence is full of it if you ask me. Mine has given me less trouble than a half dozen newer tractors I have owned. I changed the rear end oil when I bought it, points and plugs once, and the engine oil/filter and air cleaner oil once a year. That and a little grease is all the maintenence it has had besides the 1/2 and full valve jobs. It probably helped that it only had 1200 hrs of real light use on it when I bought it, and has always been stored inside. Besides their incredible durability, parts are the easiest of any model/brand to find. See what other carberators they have in stock at TSC if you dont believe that.