Ford 8N

dodge99 · Feb 13, 2011

First of I would like to say hi to everybody me being new and all !! I have a question. I have a next door neighbor that has sold me some land last fall witch is great . Now I had plenty of room to build my gauge and also wont have anybody building a home next to me because I own it. But my neighbor has ask me if I could work on his Ford 8n in my new gauge. I have not looked at it yet, but he says it is getting coolant in the carbonator. He took it to a local shop and was told he needed to replace the motor with a different one. He did me a favor by selling me some land now I'm asking for anybody's help .Where should I start looking when he pulls this Ford over to my house this week. Any help would be great. He told me it wont start and that there was coolant in the carburetor. For now this is all I tell you.

Thanks
Dodge99

dingo983 · Feb 13, 2011

I would start diagnosis by checking the dipstick and oil fill cap for milky looking oil (water in the oil). Then pull the spark plugs and see if you can identify which cylinder has the problem. Might as well do a compression test while you pull the plugs. When you crank the engine over for your compression test, do it with the radiator cap off. Check for bubbles rising up in the radator. Im reccomending you go this route because I assume it is a head gasket leak, or worse case cracked head or block. I assume the coolant is draining into a cylinder and while cranking, it is sending some back down into the carb. Hope that helps.

dodge99 · Feb 14, 2011

Thanks, Dingo983
I will do as you said. And I will get back with you in a few day when he brings this tractor over to me and I get a chance to look at it.

Thanks
Dodge99

Will_Lou · Feb 16, 2011

Agree with above, most likely a head gasket. But dont just replace the gasket find out what caused it and fix that too.... ie leaky radiator. Also when replacing the gasket have the head checked/milled and dont forget to adjust the tappets. Can get to be a fair sized project but if you take it on you want to do it right to keep peace in the neighborhood.

wvpolekat · Feb 16, 2011

Will_Lou said:
Agree with above, most likely a head gasket. But dont just replace the gasket find out what caused it and fix that too.... ie leaky radiator. Also when replacing the gasket have the head checked/milled and dont forget to adjust the tappets. Can get to be a fair sized project but if you take it on you want to do it right to keep peace in the neighborhood.

The good thing about Ns is that the head is super easy. It's basically just a flat chunk of metal with holes in it.

LD1 · Feb 16, 2011

I dont know the circumstances, what your relationship with this neighbor are, or what your mechanical abilities are.

That said, I would be leary about working on someone elses tractor just as a favor if you dont know what you are doing.

Problems and money can pile up quick. And what do you do when you get in over your head, realize that their is more wrong than anticipated, and then the neighbor wants to accuse you and say you caused another problem and wants you to pay to fix it.

And what happens if you replace a head gasket and it fixes the problem but a month or two down the road, another engine problem develops. Who is he going to want to blame??

Again, I dont know your circumstances, but I am just saying what CAN happen. I wouldn't mind doing minor things like a carb rebuild, points, plugs, etc. But I wouldn't want to tear a head off as a favor UNLESS he were present the WHOLE time and assisting in the rebuild.:2cents:

rbargeron · Feb 16, 2011

I'd be very clear with your neighbor that you are willing to check the head gasket and maybe do a cooling system pressure test to see where the coolant is going. But you need to limit the job to that. If you get into replacing the engine the 8n could be in your garage a very long time. You'll need tools you may not have - like a shop crane, floor jacks, clutch alignment tools, etc., not to mention finding and transporting a good engine, or a rebuild. You could be getting in pretty deep. I'm just saying.....