Bad day for my 8N Update

[Hec In Omaha]

Howdy All,

This morning I started trouble shooting my starter. I bypassed the solenoid with a set of jumper cables and got nothing. So then I removed the starter and tested off the tractor. It barely spun over then quit altogether. So I bought a new starter and installed it this afternoon. I hit the starter button and the motor turned over so fast I couldn't believe it! In the 10 years I have owned this tractor I have never heard it crank over so fast! Not even with the plugs out! So then I grabbed a spark plug to see if I had spark. I hit the starter button and quickly shocked myself with the plug wire! I had plenty of spark. So I put the plug wire back on the plug, pulled the choke out half way and hit the starter. It started right up! It is even 32 degrees and the tractor was not on life support with block heaters. I guess the front mount distributor got wet from the melting snow becuase I didn't do anything to it. It probably just dried itself out.

thanks to all who helped with suggestions. I am back in business!

Hec
 

[Bob Purinton]

Make sure you got all the proper gaskets in that distributor.
I got a front mount '48 and I have no trouble with water in the distributor.
 

[Colin King]

Great news! Thanks for the update.

Colin, MN
 

[Hec In Omaha]

Bob,

I have all the cork gaskets in the distributor. I am thinking of installing a canvass grill cover to keep snow from being sucked in. Maybe that will help.

Hec
 

[Royse]

Hec, I run my 2N (same front mount dizzy) all winter long pushing snow
with a front blade. That is, when we have snow. LOL
Two years ago we got dumped on, and it ran for two or three days straight.
My brother and I took turns driving.
Never had a problem with moisture getting in the dizzy when running.
I guess my point is, if you've got good gaskets in there, the dizzy may not
have been the problem to begin with.
Could have simply been a stall from a dropped clutch or similar.
I would be hesitant to cover the radiator completely without a temp gauge.
 

[duey]

Seems like the snow will come up from below if it can't come in the front... My 2N didn't like snow, deep snow, that is.

Dad used to say that an Oliver on steel wheels would go through so much snow it would push the operator off the seat.... I don't know 'bout that, but it makes a good visual....
 

[BudKaiser]

The only cork gasket I have is where the coil fits on the distributor housing.Is there suppost to be one one the cap also?
 

[Royse]

There are four gaskets.
You can get all four from this site for $2.32 at this link: Gaskets
 

[Hec In Omaha]

Budkaiser,

Yes sir. There is a thin round gasket that fits between the crab cap and the distributor. I often wondered if an o-ring would work better.

Hec