Ford 8N won't start (and more)

[vwbusman66]

Hi all, I have had my 1952 Ford 8N for about 10 months now and have used it for everything. Over the summer, I went on vacation for a week and came back to a tractor that wouldn't start. I have since converted to 12V, new solenoid, wiring harness, points, condenser, carb, fuel tank, fuel line, and re-installed the distributor rotor retaining clip. Since the clip was installed, and a new cap was put on, I have now begun to shatter my rotors. Why? I dont know. I have no spark to the plugs and need to fix the issue. Thanks, James

 

[pmsmechanic]

To me it sounds like the cap and rotor aren't matched or else the cap is not on straight. Match the old cap and rotor to the new ones and make sure they are the same.

 

[2458n]

Turn tractor over and make sure the shaft is turning straight. Rotor has to be hitting on lugs in the cap to shatter. Try a test turn of the rotor in the cap before assembly. If you are using the clip and the cap and rotor are made by the same companies you should be okay ,unless the distributor is not running true.

 

[Soundguy]

wow.. went from starting to non starting and breaking things . all it took was lots of fixing it till it was broke. ..

I never advise throwing lots of parts and 'upgrades' at a non running tractor.

get it running as it is first.. then start changing things.

make sit much, much easier to fix after you fix it enough till it's broke!

first issue is that cap and rotor problem.

as has been said. look at the new cap and make sure it fits and is not cocked.

got the dust shield?

look at the new rotors. putting them on correctly?

once you get the cap / rotor issue fixed, lets un-fix all the other stuff you fixed till it stopped running.

( and yes. going back to the old cap and rotor is likely a good place to start! )