Might be joining the vintage Ford club

[Kirk-NJ]

I should also add with the trans top cover remove roll the tractor to see if you still have noise. Although if the top cover spring is busted it will be obvious.

 

[fried1765]

Your sherman trans is in front of the main trans which means it also effects the pto speed. So when you reduce your ground speed you also reduce you pto speed. The howard sits behind the main trans so it has no effect on the pto speed, making it ideal for rototilling. The value of the howard is almost double the sherman combo.

Thank you for the explanation of the difference between a Sherman and a Howard transmission.
Wish I had a Howard, instead of the Sherman, but I do have a 4x4 12 speed Ford 1920 FEL and I use that for rototilling.

 

[TractorGuy]

Here is my respones to the same question on YT this morning. It's easier to check out the trans in an 8n then on a 9n/2n just pop the trans/gear shifter cover. Flip the cover over and look to see if the spring is broke and your shifter end hangs down too far and make contact. this may produce your clakity sound when in neutral and rolling. Also drain fluid and inspect gears. Would also like to add get yourself some manuals they will be helpful.
Good luck with your new tractor project..
I would also add to this since you have a howard trans and it appears to be it the engaged low position I would move the lever to the neutral detent and roll the tractor to see if it still makes noise, this might help isolate the problem

I think it is in neutral but I have not tried selecting any gears. Thanks for the advice! I did have the thouht this morning that it might be off a litte and touching gears together so I will check it further.

I downloaded all the manuals I could find. It will take a while to read through all of those. In the meantime you can't beat the input of people experienced with something you aren't familiar with so I may keep bouncing questions. Thanks again!

 

[TractorGuy]

Good luck with your new tractor project..
I would also add to this since you have a howard trans and it appears to be it the engaged low position I would move the lever to the neutral detent and roll the tractor to see if it still makes noise, this might help isolate the problem

Piddling with this a little more. The noise is present in low or neutral but goes away in high. Not concerned with that right now since the engine is frozen tight. Durn shame too since it looks to have very little ring groove wear in the cylinders. Drained a few gallons of water from the oil pan and no oil. I assume it is from rain while it's been sitting but the owner claimed it was running when parked and has had a good tarp over it the whole time. He had the head unbolted but sitting on top with the bolts in loose. It had water sitting in the cylinders when I took it off. It has a obvious burnt exhaust valve which is all the previous owner claimed it needed.

Moving on I have read these are fairly useless with a loader which was the main reason I bought it. Doing some measuring and pondering and it looks like this loader would be easily adapted to my 855 John Deere. The JD already has power beyond so I should be able to connect the loader valve to that. If I do that I will put the 8N on the back burner or sell it for parts.