Storing an 8N for a while

[PeteMitchell]

I have a 1952 8N, 6V, front mount distributor that is in need of an overhaul. It still runs, but it has to be pull started in order to get going. The starter turns things over, but won't get the engine to fire. When it does run, it smokes a lot. I'm guessing it has a blown head gasket, and possibly some damage related to overheating. Thoughts?

Anyways, it needs work, but I don't have the time to get to it for a while. I'm not ready to sell it yet, for sentimental reasons (it was a wedding gift), but I also need the space in my shed. So, I'm planning on pulling it out and storing it outside. Not ideal, I know, but it's the unfortunate reality. Just wondering if anyone has suggestions for what to do before parking it outside for what will realistically be a year or two. I'm thinking it will make a good winter project for me and my son some winter down the road. I live in MN, so it will be out in the rain, snow, and cold. Any help is much appreciated.

 

[oldpilgrim]

park it on cement pavers or pieces of pt board to keep the tires from sitting in the mud.

drain the fuel tank, run the carb dry.

Pull the spark plugs out, dump a couple ounces of oil in each cylinder and turn over the engine a few times. Replace plugs.

remove the battery.

Hopefully it's full of antifreeze.

Plug the tail pipe and air intakes to the carb, and breather pipe to keep critters out.

cover it with a tarp. Undercover it occasional to let it breathe.

good luck.

 

[Soundguy]

i'd even go as far to remove the carb. then plug the manifold and exhaust.

do the fogging of the engine , etc.


to the OP.

smoking dark or smoking white?

smoking white and loosing water could be head gasket.

smoking black is usually fuel.

smoking blue is burning oil.

if it is smoking blue and hard starting, it may have bad rings, low compression. burns oil and hard starts.

lots of reason for bad rings.. everything from just long term wear to overheating.

did it overheat?

 

[PapaPerk]

Make sure you depress clutch pedal when storing... Clutches in these have a habit of rusting together.

 

[Kirk-NJ]

In addition to what other have said I would also make sure there is no water it the trans/Hdy/rear. After a couple of months of sitting crack each drain, water will settle to the bottom of the case and will come out first before the oil comes out. In the parts tractors I have laying around I usually overfill with used hyd oil so all the gears/bearings are completely soaked. Than just drain and fill with new when ready to start your project.
I would also add plug up any hole include the muffler that mice can get in.
Good luck

Kirk

 

[flusher]

Tarps trap moisture so you need to uncover the tractor periodically to allow the moisture to evaporate.

As a minimum I'd jack up the rear and set the axles on jack stands to eliminate problem with flat spots on the rear tires. The fronts aren't that critical and are a lot cheaper to replace than the rears.

And do what the other posters recommend.

Good luck.