Working on 8N

vegaome · Nov 6, 2014

Howdy Folks,

My 1951 8N won't start and I could use some advice. Its a 6 volt, positive ground, side mount distributor. The motor turns over and I have 6.2 volts all the way to the top of the coil but not to spark plugs. I took the distributor cap off and dust seal and watched the points and there was no spark.

I cleaned the points with a piece of filter box and got a spark at the points a couple times but then saw it sparking/arching under the plate the points are mounted to. So I pulled the condenser points and plate to see if the was something wrong down there. It was dirty so I cleaned it with break cleaner and lubed with blaster. I do have a new set of points handy and will put them in and see what happens.

I know I should get a manual and I will but I just wanted to ask.

Is the points gap .025 correct?

What is the proper lube for the advance weights under the plate?

Thanks and have a good evening.

v/r

Mike

Barry 1 · Nov 6, 2014

Points are .025
Plugs are .025
Go look on N Tractor Club They have alot of How-To posts
Smith's Old Ford Tractors has specs

vegaome · Nov 6, 2014

Thanks Barry.

carlntexas · Nov 6, 2014

Side mount points are .025.

vegaome · Nov 6, 2014

Ok, thanks Carl.

vegaome · Nov 7, 2014

I got spark to the plugs. Now to work on the fuel and I will have to also go back and work on the distributor. The points mounting holes and screws are getting pretty bad. Thanks fellas.

v/r

Mike

Soundguy · Nov 7, 2014

a molly lube or synthetic grease is ok for the advance weights. a red n tacky hi temp is good too.

don't forget a small dab of lube on the leading edge face of the rubbing block of the points.

vegaome · Nov 8, 2014

Ok, thank you soundguy. The points came with a small capsule of lube and I used that on the rubbing block.

v/r

Mike

Soundguy · Nov 8, 2014

you are lucky. points always used to come with cam lobe lube.. but more and more these days you don't see it anymore.

vegaome · Nov 9, 2014

I think I got the points at Auto Zone. The rubbing block is a brown looking phenolic looking material. I did have to elongate the mounting holes to get .025. Now I'm rebuilding the carb and its pretty rough. The carb is a TSX 33 and the idle jet is all boogered up. I have it soaking in some berrymans right now. I may have to sleep on it. I think I'm going to have to drill it out. Can you easy out them?

v/r

Mike