My 8 N

[RGR]

I'm a newbee here, gotta get myself a manual soon, but got myself a 48 8 N, I'm retired and got myself something to do, I want to restore this thing as much as I can to original, I always liked these tractors since I was a little kid visiting my grand parents farm, maybe because they were small enough for me to get on them. Just want to tell a little bit about it, it runs, no smoke, except when you throttle it but just for a second, hydraulics work, tires need to be changed, cracking real bad, wiring, I want to rewire it, looks bad, looks like original regulator, ballast resistor is bypassed, bare wires here and there, 2 oil leaks, I'm thinking the pto and what I have been reading the famous governor gasket is leaking only when running, won't be able to do to much till spring or summer, no heated garage, so I'm in learning mode right now, reading a lot of forums. So I hope you can bear with me, I will probably ask questions that were asked before. I live in the city, and people are saying what the..... you doing with that thing, hey I'm retired give me a break.
Thanks All.

 

[Bob]

Welcome aboard!

Learn all you can about it and carefully weigh what it "needs" against your "skill set".

A tractor that runs with a few issues is WAY better than one hopelessly torn in pieces by a well-meaning owner that jumps in right away, "above his head".

I certainly don't mean that in a bad way or as a judgement of you, but to me, the saddest posts on here are about tractors that WERE running, 'til someone tore into them WAY beyond what they should have done, the first thing that comes to mind is guys that tear the cylinder head off of a good-running tractor at the first sign of what they perceive as "oil" floating on the coolant, and break off a bolt, or strip a hole or crack a block.

 

[Royse]

"no smoke, except when you throttle it but just for a second"

My "guess" here, would be that it is running a tad rich.
If it doesn't bother you or fowl the plugs, I would leave well enough
alone. If fuel economy is a concern, then it could be adjusted.

Welcome to the addiction!

 

[Ultradog MN]

Welcome to the board.
I too live in the city and usually have a tractor here at home.
I enjoy tooling around the neighborhood, cruising along the parkways, going through the drive-through at McDonald's or just stopping by Dairy Queen for a Dilly Bar.
Sometimes if I have two of them here my wife and I will run them down to the little breakfast joint on a Saturday morning for bacon and eggs.
It's surprising how many people of all ages, races and cultures get a smile on their face when they see an old tractor.
Have fun.

 

[scopecat1]

Be ready to shed some dollars and cents I have a 48 8N and have a chunk of change in the thing tried to sale it no one wanted to give much for it. scopecat1

 

[Royse]

(quoted from post at 20:49:39 12/29/18) Be ready to shed some dollars and cents I have a 48 8N and have a chunk of change in the thing tried to sale it no one wanted to give much for it. scopecat1

I think the days of making money flipping N series tractors have passed.
You fix them to use, to show, or to pass on to the next generation.
Or, for a retirement hobby as the original poster has mentioned.
Or maybe just because you're addicted to the old things.

 

[scopecat1]

Sir you have a beautiful tractor if mine looked so good I'd drive her to church on Sunday I noticed you have a Sherman over and under mine has a Hupp do those things lube from the main transmission.scopecat1

 

[Kirk-NJ]

Yes your output shaft into the main trans has a slinger on it for lubrication.

 

[vidaliaman]

I too RGR love working on these fords, i have found that if i won the lotto i would buy fix and sell them until the lotto money ran out, enjoy working on them they are fun

dave

 

[Tim PloughNman Daley]

WELCOME ABOARD. Like many of us, your interest in Ford Tractors began in our youth via relatives, or grandma & grandpa's farm. The best investment you can make as a newbie is to get the essential manuals and read them religiously. Search the tractor boards for a archived info and documents before you proceed to do any work or even operate. Best to know what is the SAFE way to operate and do things so you don't break something, including yourself. With the manuals you can do all the PM and some major jobs like a complete engine rebuild. You don't say, but you mentioned the OEM Ballast Resistor is bypassed so that answers if it's an early 8N with the front mount distributor. If it is the original OEM Voltage Regulator, it will be made by AUTO-LITE -see picture. A word of advice: DO NOT ASSUME it or any other part is defective until testing and root cause problem solving is applied. If resistor has been bypassed, you will have electrical issues. These were originally wired as 6V/POS GRN systems. Do have the OEM 3-Wire/3-Brush generator? Is the battery 6V or 12V? The starting motor will have the solenoid mounted on the barrel. There will be an AMMETER on upper LH dash panel, an OEM Ignition Key Switch on lower LH dash, and the Safety Neutral Starter Button Switch on top of shifter cover. Id begin with a thorough investigative method of the entire wiring Disconnect any lights for now -the tractor never came with them anyway. Get the ignition and charging correct first. The I&T FO-4 manual and the MPC and Operator's manuals all will help with diagrams and wiring. It wouldn't be a FORD if it didn't have a few oil leaks -typical! You have some work to do, new wiring, possibly a new battery, and maybe some other new parts but wait until you know for sure. You're gonna have to decide if you want to keep as original with the 6V/POS GRN system (no reason not to IMHO) or switch over to a 12V job. Either way, you must keep the OEM Ballast Resistor in the circuit. There are a few good reasons to switch over to 12V, one being a weak, worn engine, as it will help with easier starts (supposedly) and brighter lights, and to run some 12V equipment like sprayers, winches, and 8-track players. Poor incorrect wiring is the major cause of non-starting issues regardless if 6V or 12V. Go to the NTC site for some free downloadable documents -seek WIRING DIAGRAMS BY JMOR for one. Do a lot of research in the archives. Ask questions.


FORD 8N TRACTOR ESSENTIAL OWNER/OPERATOR/PARST/SERVICE MANUALS:

EARLY 8N OEM DASH PANEL, RESTORED, REAR VIEW:

Original 8N Dash panel wiring used the AUTO-LITE Voltage Regulator and the Induction (LOOP) style AMMETER. Note OEM Ballast Resistor, used up until April, 1950.

Tim *PloughNman* Daley(MI)

 

[John,PA]

RECOMMENDATION: I would order a manual from the HOSTS of this site.

HTH John,Pa

 

[Royse]

Thank you. Yes, they are internally lubed.

 

[John in Mich]

Greetings and Happy New Year. You have picked a nice hobby to start your retirement. It is a hobby that you can work on as either time, money or both allow. Be advised, money will definetly be a factor.
I will be 76 next month. I retired in April, 2007. I have my father's 1951 8N that he bought when I was 10. The disease really started then. Neither my wife nor any doctor can cure me.
The only cure for me will be either a pine box or an urn, though my wife threatens to put my ashes in capsules and drop them into every tractor before they are sold.
Next month we celebrate 53 years married. My wife is still jealous about Nellybelle. I can't divorce my tractor. LOL

 

[John in Mich]

Great looking 8N, Royse. Have we met before? LOL I believe that you are right about the buying/selling
of these tractors. What is happening is the demand for hard to find original parts threatens some nice
machines. I have been fortunate, so far, to have never parted one out but have over the years had some
nice original parts to sell. Many I acquired from scrapers. I'm really torn about selling some of them
but, again, reality says do it or risk someone buying stuff for junk prices.

 

[Royse]

Thanks John, yes, that's the first tractor I bought from you.
I also bought that 9N you had consigned to the auction.
That one is still setting in the "project row". LOL
I'm not sure I'll ever get them all done, but I'll keep trying.

 

[RGR]

So it looks like I will be travelling to Michigan every now and then with a list of parts for my 8N because prices over here across the boarder are ridiculous, are you from Michigan and if so could you tell me a good place to go to get pieces and parts for my 8N and if not to far see Nelly.
Thanks

 

[RGR]

Looks amazing if mine looks 1/10 of that when I'm finished I"ll be happy