Ford 8N 12V EI conversion

[bradleydavidgood]

I've been working on the parts list. It's not final and I need to verify things later after I pick up the tractor and get it here, but here is the start of it:

Ford 8N 1951 Side-Mount 12V / Electronic Ignition Parts List

Electronic Ignition Kit, side-mount, 12V negative ground
- Part Number: 1244A
- Price: $170.00
- Link: https://www.yesterdaystractors.com/Ford-8N_Electronic-Ignition-Conversion-Kit-12V-Negative-Ground_1244A.html

12V Alternator Conversion Kit, side-mount distributor
- Part Number: 8NL10300ALT
- Price: $180.00
- Link: https://www.yesterdaystractors.com/Ford-8N_12-Volt-Conversion-Kit-Side-Mount-Distributor_8NL10300ALT.html

Spark Plug Wire Set for Electronic Ignition, side-mount distributor
- Part Number: PWJ226
- Note: Electronic Ignition ONLY
- Price: $31.95
- Link: https://a.co/d/0dkMKbCq
*Call Yesterday’s tractor and ask about resistor type plugs
Spark Plugs — order 4
- Part Number: AL437
- Price: $3.30 each
- Link: https://www.yesterdaystractors.com/Ford-8N_Spark-Plug_AL437.html

Part​	Yesterday’s Tractors item​	Ref / Item #​	Price shown​
Distributor cap	Ford 8N Distributor Cap, Clip Held	NCA12106A / Item #100012​	$10.00 (Yesterday's Tractors)​
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Rotor	Ford 8N Distributor Rotor, Side Mount Distributor	C0NN12200A / Item #111317​	$3.50 (Yesterday's Tractors)​

12V Front Headlight Bulbs for stock front lights — order 2
- Part Number: 70230252
- Trade Number: 4419
- Price: $13.70 each
- Link: https://www.yesterdaystractors.com/Ford-8N_Sealed-Beam-Bulb-12V_70230252.html
*Verify on tractor

12V Rear Tail Light Bulb only
- Part Number: TLBULB12V
- Price: $0.50
- Link: https://www.yesterdaystractors.com/Ford-8N_Tail-Light-Dash-Light-Bulb-12-Volt_TLBULB12V.html
*Verify on tractor

12V Battery, Group 35 AGM
- Part: DieHard Platinum AGM Battery, Group Size 35
- Part Number: 35-AGM
- Specs: 12V, 650 CCA, 100 minute reserve capacity
- Price: $259.99
- Stock: shown in stock
- Link: https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/diehard-platinum-agm-battery-35-group-size-650-cca-810-ca-100-minute-reserve-capacity-35-agm/11920814-P
Verify measurements on tractor

Part​ Yesterday’s Tractors item​ Ref / Item #​ Price shown​ Seat cushion Ford 8N Seat Cushion, Red and White R4118 / Item #180739​ $28.30 (yesterdaystractors.com)​ ​	​	​	​
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Timing light?		​	​

 

[bradleydavidgood]

And here is the (work in progress) todo list:

Before starting:

With points still installed (all of 6V system still installed)

Rotate the engine to TDC.

#1 cylinder = front cylinder, closest to radiator.

At #1 TDC compression:

both #1 valves are closed

rotor should point to the #1 plug wire terminal

firing order is 1-2-4-3

distributor rotates counterclockwise

Loosen the distributor.

Rotate the distributor until the points just begin to open.

Tighten the distributor.

This sets up timing close for EI install



Change engine oil and filter.

Check coolant level.

Check oil-bath air cleaner.
Make sure the cup is not full of sludge/water.

Drain old fuel from tank, sediment bowl, fuel line, and carb.

Look inside tank with flashlight.
If it is not full of rust flakes/sludge, leave it alone.

Clean sediment bowl.

Add 1–2 gallons fresh gas.

Open fuel valve 2 turns only.

Remove carb bowl drain plug and check fuel flow.
You want a steady stream for at least 30 seconds.

Only pull/clean carb if:

fuel will not flow steadily

carb leaks badly

float needle is stuck

it only runs on choke

it will not start even with confirmed spark/compression/timing

old gas varnish is obvious

Only pull/clean tank if:

tank is rusty/flaking inside

fuel keeps clogging bowl/screens

water/sludge comes out

outlet is plugged

Check valve movement.

Install all 12V conversion parts.

12V battery

alternator

12V coil / correct resistor setup

electronic ignition module

distributor cap

rotor

suppression plug wires

spark plugs

12V bulbs if doing lights now

needed solenoid/wiring changes

Verify wiring before first start.

Verify firing order: 1-2-4-3.

Plugs out, ignition disabled, crank in short bursts until oil-pressure gauge moves.
If no pressure shows after several bursts, stop and prime the oil pump.

Install plugs/wires.

Recheck timing/firing order.

 

[Hobo,NC]

I would buy the EI from advance auto because I could get warranty in a day.
I would use NGK spark plus not autolite chinses JUNK!!!
I would buy the alternator brackets and pulley from YT then buy the a 3 wire alt from advance then a elchepo 6V harness and convert it over to the alt.
For the battery a group 25 will be a better fit than the 35. I would not waist my money on a AGM for this application.
I would junk the useless in dash ammeter and put a voltmeter in its place. Note I do this for a living its my day job I don't need eye candy (ammeter)

 

[bradleydavidgood]

I would buy the EI from advance auto because I could get warranty in a day.
I would use NGK spark plus not autolite chinses JUNK!!!
I would buy the alternator brackets and pulley from YT then buy the a 3 wire alt from advance then a elchepo 6V harness and convert it over to the alt.
For the battery a group 25 will be a better fit than the 35. I would not waist my money on a AGM for this application.
I would junk the useless in dash ammeter and put a voltmeter in its place. Note I do this for a living its my day job I don't need eye candy (ammeter)

Thanks

NGK plugs, I'll go for that. Thanks.

The warranty for the EI at advance auto is 1 year. Do you really think it's not going to last a year?
I think it may last many years.
I don't need the tractor fixed in a day.
I am patronizing YT.

AGM batteries usually give you more starting power, better vibration resistance, lower self-discharge when sitting, no water/top-off maintenance, and a sealed/non-spillable design. That matters on an old tractor because it shakes, sits between uses, and may not get driven long enough every day to keep a cheap battery perfectly happy. Advance’s DieHard AGM page specifically lists higher vibration resistance, maintenance-free/non-spillable design, and up to 2x life vs standard flooded batteries.

Plus it's 650CCA instead of the 550 I see for flooded-led-acid.

I will use the tractor infrequently, so all those qualities are worth it for my application.

I may try to find a good brand locally at an Amish store with same AGM 650CCA.

 

[Hobo,NC]

The AGM is not going to last longer are perform any better than any other battery its your money spend it your way. When I sale parts folks expect warranty turn around ASAP... How you deal with that is your call. I do like to look someone in the eye when dealing with warranty if needed.

If you buy from YT, Amazon, ebay are other tractor parts places its always a Hassell to return for warranty... Why deal with that when the same part can be brought locally? for the same price... I did buy a power steering pump from YT I paid more for it hoping if I did need warranty I would not be left eating the pump. In this case I passed the higher cost on to the customer I did not have many options of places to buy it, so far so good.