Thoughts on if the old girl is worth fixing? 1950 ford 8N

[sprowler0]

Just inherited my grandfathers 1950 ford 8n after he passed. It's been sitting idle for who knows how long, and after buying a new rim and tire to get it out of storage she didn't stay running for long. From what I can tell it blew a hole in the timing cover right around where the distributor gear meshes with the other internal gears. I haven't pulled it apart (since it looks like quite a job to be able to access it completely). Wondering everones thoughts on what went wrong, and if it would be worth fixing or not. With two little kids, I don't have a ton of spare time and my worry is that if I invest the time and money to get this fixed, something else is going to give out. It's got what looks like a bunch of oil leaks too. Thanks in advance!

 

[TheOldHokie]

Just inherited my grandfathers 1950 ford 8n after he passed. It's been sitting idle for who knows how long, and after buying a new rim and tire to get it out of storage she didn't stay running for long. From what I can tell it blew a hole in the timing cover right around where the distributor gear meshes with the other internal gears. I haven't pulled it apart (since it looks like quite a job to be able to access it completely). Wondering everones thoughts on what went wrong, and if it would be worth fixing or not. With two little kids, I don't have a ton of spare time and my worry is that if I invest the time and money to get this fixed, something else is going to give out. It's got what looks like a bunch of oil leaks too. Thanks in advance!

Only worth the time and expense of fixing if it holds significant nostalgic value. Otherwise its a parts tractor.

TOH

 

[TheOldHokie]

Duplicate deleted

 

[Jim L WA]

It doesn't look good. That engine is toast. Did it have any oil pressure when you started it? Doesn't look like it. That hole in the front cover is where the front main bearing / oil pump is.
Part it out, is my advice.

 

[Duner Wi]

What went wrong? My guess is one or more of the 4 bolts that attach timing gear to camshaft backed out causing break. $125.00 for new front timing cover from this site. If mine I would pull it apart and have a look. Let us know what you find.

 

[John P.]

Might be easier to find a complete running engine.

 

[HarryVanderpool]

"With two little kids, I don't have a ton of spare time...."
My advice is to set it aside until you do have time.
Don't start taking things apart and get sidetracked and then start misplacing parts and clear memories.
There will be a day when you can get to it. Life changes constantly.
Don't sell it, don't part it out. You'll later regret it.

 

[Jim in LA]

I didn't see any used angle drive timing covers on Ebay, front distributor covers are cheaper. If you can, get an assistant and one weekend take the hood off,drain the radiator and remove it(one side pivots and lets you swing the radiator out if you choose) clean all that gunk off and take off the cover and see what's what. Hopefully the cam is OK and it's just a broken timing gear and cover. I wonder if someone installed the governor bolts backward, I almost did that last week on mine.

 

[woodman1928]

Everything's fixable. iv never seen a low compression engine break housings from lack of oil like suggested above they just seize up and stop. And these things are pretty simple might be and most likely as simple as bolt in their that got jammed by the timing gear and broke the housing id get one on ebay for $30 if its just that after inspection , as Harry said set it aside till you have time. maybe put some lipstick on it to make the wife happy and drag it in the side yard with hay and flowers and corn stocks for decoration until you have time or can plan time to fix it.

 

[sprowler0]

Well finally got around to tearing into it and this is what I found. It looks like the drive gear for the distributor has a couple of broken teeth. Assuming this is pressed on? I dont see a key of any kind. I have a shop manual but instructions are minimal... new timing gear cover has not been tightened down lol

 

[markdtn]

I think that is the governor gear?

 

[John P.]

I think that is the governor gear?

The governor gear is the one to the left of the cam gear.

 

[soaked]

Yes ,7RA6255 drive gear is a press on fit. Yours looks half pulled off the cam.

Did your distributor bind up, maybe from a lost screw or nut falling into or under the advanvce weights, and pull the gear forward from the cam?

Prolly wise to pull the side valve covers and check valve assy and tappets.

Hope the cam snout isn't buggered up.
Bet sleeve retainer "glue" could be used to better secure the new gear.

7RA6255 gear and the end of the cam have match marks, but 3 of mine dont line up, and engines time and run just fine.

 

[sprowler0]

Yes ,7RA6255 drive gear is a press on fit. Yours looks half pulled off the cam.

Did your distributor bind up, maybe from a lost screw or nut falling into or under the advanvce weights, and pull the gear forward from the cam?

Prolly wise to pull the side valve covers and check valve assy and tappets.

Hope the cam snout isn't buggered up.
Bet sleeve retainer "glue" could be used to better secure the new gear.

7RA6255 gear and the end of the cam have match marks, but 3 of mine dont line up, and engines time and run just fine.

Yeah this was my grandfathers tractor so dont really know the history on it. After he passed i went to his house to pick this up. After getting it started and running for about 5 minutes heard a grinding sound and before I could shut it off it blew a hole in the timing cover.
Is this gear on the distributor shaft supposed to be flush with the end of the camshaft? I will definitely put some sleeve compound on it.
I was wondering about the mark on the gear. It is currently not lined up with the one on the cam gear. Maybe it shifted? Or think i should try to install the old one in approx the same spot?
Thanks for the insight!

 

[soaked]

Yeah this was my grandfathers tractor so dont really know the history on it. After he passed i went to his house to pick this up. After getting it started and running for about 5 minutes heard a grinding sound and before I could shut it off it blew a hole in the timing cover.
Is this gear on the distributor shaft supposed to be flush with the end of the camshaft? I will definitely put some sleeve compound on it.
I was wondering about the mark on the gear. It is currently not lined up with the one on the cam gear. Maybe it shifted? Or think i should try to install the old one in approx the same spot?
Thanks for the insight!

My concern with that old gear, is that its likely been "unscrewed" if the distributor seized, and cam kept turning , and may not be a tight fit.

Suggest get a new one
Our host has them

This is all the way on

How is the distributor? Suggest take it apart, looking for why/if it seized.
It doesnt hurt to line the mark on the gear to the cam.

John

 

[sprowler0]

My concern with that old gear, is that its likely been "unscrewed" if the distributor seized, and cam kept turning , and may not be a tight fit.
View attachment 162213
Suggest get a new one
Our host has them
View attachment 162211
This is all the way on
View attachment 162212

How is the distributor? Suggest take it apart, looking for why/if it seized.
It doesnt hurt to line the mark on the gear to the cam.

John

Thanks a lot John! I have the new gear on the way!

 

[soaked]

Happy to help
What has your inspection of the distributor found?
This site has new ones if needed.

 

[40Mule]

If you are unfamiliar with the N, 75 Tips for N owners is under the resources and articles heading. Jim in number eight refers to one of the helpful things to find out before a problem.

 

[pomester]

If you are unfamiliar with the N, 75 Tips for N owners is under the resources and articles heading. Jim in number eight refers to one of the helpful things to find out before a problem.

75 tips https://forums.yesterdaystractors.com/pages/artint268/

 

[8NChris]

"With two little kids, I don't have a ton of spare time...."
My advice is to set it aside until you do have time.
Don't start taking things apart and get sidetracked and then start misplacing parts and clear memories.
There will be a day when you can get to it. Life changes constantly.
Don't sell it, don't part it out. You'll later regret it.

Dad and Grandpa restored and sold the 39 by spring of 92. After Grandpa died the following January dad found that tractor had changed hands 3 times and no contact for the last person. It had been in the family for almost 30 years by then. It was a regret. It's good you popped the timing cover.