1940 Ford 9N 4H Project

[lloydford9n]

Hello Everyone,

This is my first post here. My son is in 4H and has decided to work on a 9N that has been sitting for years as his project. The tractor belongs to an older lady in the neighborhood who's husband started restoring it before he passed away 7 years ago. She will keep the tractor and we will learn and have a great experience (I hope!).

We have our work cut out for us. The radiator is toast, i'm going to check about getting it cored, rather then complete replacement. There is also some holes in the tires so I will be looking around at used tires or if a dealership would be interested in sponsoring him with some used tires.
The plan is to get it running and cleaned up, rather than a strip down, fresh paint etc restoration, especially since it isn't our tractor.

The electrical has been adapted on this and this is where I have a question. Can anyone look at the attached photo and tell me what they see has taken place? There is a second coil on the top of the engine that connects to the original coil.

 

[Bob - MI]

Great project and a wonderful thing to do. Teach the youngster a number of things and do the older lady a huge favor.

I would suggest that you get a Ford tractor service manual available here on this site. You will find it invaluable and the youngster can spend hours reading it dreaming about what it will be like when it comes to life.

 

[TheOldHokie]

(quoted from post at 14:18:07 02/24/20) Hello Everyone,

This is my first post here. My son is in 4H and has decided to work on a 9N that has been sitting for years as his project. The tractor belongs to an older lady in the neighborhood who's husband started restoring it before he passed away 7 years ago. She will keep the tractor and we will learn and have a great experience (I hope!).

We have our work cut out for us. The radiator is toast, i'm going to check about getting it cored, rather then complete replacement. There is also some holes in the tires so I will be looking around at used tires or if a dealership would be interested in sponsoring him with some used tires.
The plan is to get it running and cleaned up, rather than a strip down, fresh paint etc restoration, especially since it isn't our tractor.

The electrical has been adapted on this and this is where I have a question. Can anyone look at the attached photo and tell me what they see has taken place? There is a second coil on the top of the engine that connects to the original coil.

Best guess is the OEM coil has been gutted and is being used as a way to connect the round coil to the distributor. You will find descriptions of this modification in the archives.

TOH

 

[Bob]

Sounds like a GREAT experience for all involved!

Gonna make just ONE "safety nazi" comment pertaining to the forth photo... make sure the kids understand that a lead-acid battery can explode if there's a spark near it, or sometimes (rarely) for no apparent reason at all.

Keep the face back when working with them, wearing face and eye protection when working with the connections is NOT a bad idea.

 

[Jim L WA]

Great project. Keep us posted on his progress. As an old, very old, 4H'er myself, I'll be interested and willing to offer any other help with what else he comes across. I see there isn't an alternator mounted. Is it laying around somewhere? To add to what Bob said, besides eye/face protection he should always disconnect the ground cable first. Not just on this tractor but all vehicles.

 

[lloydford9n]

Thanks everyone for the replies and safety tips. We will proceed with caution!

I will look around for the alternator or governor. I think that is the original governor bracket on there so not sure if that ever got converted.

We need to have the tractor ready for our first fair in August so we have our work cut out for us for sure. Full steam ahead!

 

[Kirk-NJ]

The radiator on the tractor is a nonpresserized radiator. Most get replaced with the newer presserized radiator. Since your not restoring the tractor Recoring will costs too much. Just replacing the radiator cap for it with a new one will cost $85/$100 verses a presserized new cap for $9/$12. I would not scrap the radiator but would save it in case someone wanted to put back to original condition at a later date. Lots of work ahead and I applaud you and your boys for taking on this project Good luck and have fun.

 

[Lynn Patrick]

"I will be looking around at used tires or if a dealership would be interested in sponsoring him with some used tires."
I don't know your location or if they still do it, but Titan Tire has in the past been known to donate new tires for FFA projects like this.

 

[Mad Farmer]

Welcome!

Good project for a good cause. Hope the kids learn too.

Not sure how bad the radiator is or where leaks are? You could pull it and pressure test it. I've fixed many old radiators with solder and a torch. Sometimes just pinch off a bad section of core and seal it off.

My 9N had some radiator leaks but that was 20 years ago and it's still holding fluid. The OEM radiator is far better than the Chi-Com crap replacements.

I'd pull your distributor and R + R it. Get rid of the 2nd coil. Your call if you want it to be 6V or 12V. What is available for generator/alternator/regulator and costs will come into play.

The one wire delco 12V alternators are the way to go 12V systems. Plentiful and cheap.

Sort out what has been done to wiring so far so corrections can be made.

Before you get too far into it. Might want to connect a battery to the starter and see how compression is. Read up on safe way to do this.

Many here know lots more than myself, you'll get good advice.

My 9N is still 6V +ground and it starts up to plow snow even though it lives outside under a tarp all winter.

 

[Mad Farmer]

I forgot a few things.

Post your location. Might be members nearby that can help you find parts or help with the work.

Track down the proper housing/channel for the spark plug wires and get a new set of wire core spark plug wires.

Are tires rotted or have big holes? If not tubes might get things rolling. Tread looks OK on the rear in the picture.