Determining FORD 8N value

[JBinNY]

Hello,

My father recently passed away and left me with an older FORD 8N tractor. I'm not a tractor person and not too handy with farm machinery so I wanted to ask you knowledgeable folks about it. I intend to determine its worth and sell it to someone who can give it a good home and properly take care of it.

With help from this site I was able to find "ID 209" stamped on the left side of the engine block above the larger "8N" letters. From the chart of serial numbers this should make this a 1947 model.

The tractor overall is in very nice condition. The tires have almost brand new tread and the paint is not too bad, slightly chipping and fading a bit (the paint possibly is original, just needs a little cleaning on the lower portions) and minimal rust on the body (exhaust pipe is very rusty). It also has a york rake attached.

It ran pretty well before my dad passed away, but has been sitting for a while. The battery is dead now so I am unable to start it.

Anyway, could you guys give me a ball park figure of the selling value. I realize it's hard to give a good estimate without seeing it or inspecting it, but a reasonable approximation would be greatly appreciated.

THANKS!

-jb-

 

[souNdguy]

I guarantee you that you did not find the letters 'ID' in the sn chart listed here..

8n engine serial numbers begin with 8n.. sounds like you have an industrial engine that has been swapepd in.. and thus cannot use it to datt he machine.

instead look at other features likt ehte steering box, and tranny gear shifter knob to help date the machine.. plus date codes off other castings.

does the machine run?

burnt machines? 100$

conplete, but non runner or parts machine.. 500-750

runs but needs lots of work 1000

runs and is average.. 1200-2500

runs great.. lots of new parts or impliments in deal 2500-3500$


soundguy

 

[Phil9N3667]

Sorry to hear about your father passing away. It"s never easy losing a parent/loved one. If you can, post some pictures of the tractor. That"ll help a lot. Also, look in your local newspaper/trading post type sale papers. If you"ve got a local farm equipment dealer, maybe one of their salesmen could help. Good luck and let us know what happens!

 

[Bruce (VA)]

It's not going to be worth much except for parts unless you get it running. We can help you with that; believe me, it will not be all that hard. A good parts tractor will go for less than $1000. If it's running, doesn't make funny noises or smoke, starts easy, has good sheet metal & the lift works, it could go for as much as $3K.

W/ the help of the folks here, 8 - 10 hours of your time & probably less than $100, you will at least double the value of the tractor. Your call!

The number you cited is a casting code, not a serial number. Click on the link below to find the serial number location. It's probably a 1949 model as the last digit in the casting code is the year.

When you post back, let us know if it's a 6v or 12v (look at the battery & count the caps; 3 caps is a 6v). If it is a 1949, the distributor will be in the front of the engine. That's important to know for troubleshooting purposes.
John Smiths ID Page

 

[JBinNY]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for all of the the quick feedback and kind comments. I checked John Smith's ID page and the "209" number I found was the ENGINE BLOCK MARKING. I used the information on Mr. Smith's page to find the correct SN# area and determined that the Ford 8N that I have here is #8N186660 (as best I can tell because it was stamped rather lightly). So I guess that would make it a 1949 model.

I remember it ran pretty well the last time my father started it and it's definitely not junk. I guess based on what souNdguy wrote it's worth somewhere in the $2000 - $2500 range.

THANKS GUYS FOR THE COMMENTS!

-jb-

 

[JBinNY]

I forgot to mention, I checked and this 8N does have a 6V battery.

Thanks again everyone for your assistance!

I would like to get a new battery and get it running before the winter.

-jb-

 

[Bruce (VA)]

Glad to help.

If it has been setting more than 6 months, post back for info on how to start it w/o breaking something that may be stuck, like the rings.

If it ran less than 6 months ago, charge the battery (or get a new one). Or, see tip # 43 at the link below for the safe way to jump start it w/o burning up the tractor or injuring yourself. Remove the bolt in the bottom of the carb, turn the gas on & let the old gas run out into a can. Once you have drained the old gas out, put at least two gallons of gas in the tank. Remove the little rubber hose going into the carb. Get a can of starting fluid. Crank the engine for a few seconds, then spray some starting fluid in the throat of the carb. Keep your hand off the choke until you hear it fire!

If it starts, all is well. If not, post back.
50 Tips

 

[Bruce (VA)]

That's good news, because a 12v conversion can be done correctly about 6 ways & incorrectly more ways than I can count. Being 6v will make it easier to diagnose any problems.

When you ask a question, just let everyone know you have an 8N, 6v w/ a front distributor.
50 Tips

 

[JBinNY]

Thanks for the advice Bruce(VA)! The 50 tips link was an excellent and informative read, especially for someone like me who's not very familiar with tractors.

This Ford 8N has been sitting about 10 months to a year without being started... so I'm going to have to seek advice here about the procedure to get it running while trying to avoid accidentally causing any internal damage.

-jb-

 

[Bruce (VA)]

Not a problem.

If it hasn't run in 10 months, the rings have probably not stuck to the cylinder walls. They might be sticky though. So, do not attempt to turn the engine over w/ the starter. Pull all plugs, add a tablespoon or so of Marvel Mystery Oil (MMO) in each cylinder. Pull both valve covers & soak everything w/ MMO. Remove the 15/16 hex nut to the right of the water pump. This is where your oil gallery is for the valves/lifters is. Don't lose the little spring under the nut. Use an oil squirt can to put about a cup of oil in here. Replace the spring & nut. Then, start looking for mouse/hornet nests in places like the tail pipe & carb breather hose. Wait at least 2 or 3 days before you do anything, then try & hand crank the engine. (w/o spark plugs) Given that it has only set 10 months, it should turn over. Then, replace the plugs, drain out the old gas & replace it w/ new gas & it should be fine.
50 Tips

 

[JBinNY]

(quoted from post at 03:50:58 09/27/08) Not a problem.

If it hasn't run in 10 months, the rings have probably not stuck to the cylinder walls. They might be sticky though. So, do not attempt to turn the engine over w/ the starter. Pull all plugs, add a tablespoon or so of Marvel Mystery Oil (MMO) in each cylinder. Pull both valve covers & soak everything w/ MMO. Remove the 15/16 hex nut to the right of the water pump. This is where your oil gallery is for the valves/lifters is. Don't lose the little spring under the nut. Use an oil squirt can to put about a cup of oil in here. Replace the spring & nut. Then, start looking for mouse/hornet nests in places like the tail pipe & carb breather hose. Wait at least 2 or 3 days before you do anything, then try & hand crank the engine. (w/o spark plugs) Given that it has only set 10 months, it should turn over. Then, replace the plugs, drain out the old gas & replace it w/ new gas & it should be fine.
50 Tips

Hi Bruce VA,
I went and bought some Marvel Mystery oil... and the weather is finally nice, so I'm going to use your advice to work on the Ford 8N and get it ready to be started again. I'll let you know how it goes. THANKS SO MUCH!!!

-jb-