Why did I wait so long?

[Ken/Wa]

I replaced my starter after 20 years of use. Over the years, it started, but did not turn over fast. I read about replacing the starter over the years on this forum. Seemed like it was fairly hard to do, so I put up with a slow cranking starter. I finally decided to tackle the replacement. I have a 1950 8n,so read up on the replacement. I had back surgery, so had to sit to replace. After taking solenoid off, all I had to do was take dipstick out. I did not need to move anything else. I had to play around with the starter to get right angle to clear flywheel. I took it to the local rebuilder
guy, but the armature was ruined, probably from me tapping on the starter all the years. Anyway, he said it would be cheaper for me to buy one from this site. I ordered the starter. When it came, it went in with less trouble than when I took it out, for some reason. After I hooked it back up, I hit the starter, and it turned over faster than it ever had in 20 years, and started up so fast, I was amazed. For anyone putting starter replacement off, just do it. I really like my 8n again. I have two other modern tractors, but love using my 8n.

 

[Jim L WA]

Glad it went so well Ken. I've had the starter out and back in on my 2N and NAA more than once. Never had a problem either.

 

[Ed S.]

I would go buy a lottery ticket, Ken! It was an ordeal when I pulled mine for the first time to replace a bad bendix - and my '50 already had the hole ground out larger for clearance!

I can do it fairly quickly now that I've learned how to hold my tongue just right.



es

 

[Doug 13]

(quoted from post at 09:18:05 10/01/22) I replaced my starter after 20 years of use. Over the years, it started, but did not turn over fast. I read about replacing the starter over the years on this forum. Seemed like it was fairly hard to do, so I put up with a slow cranking starter. I finally decided to tackle the replacement. I have a 1950 8n,so read up on the replacement. I had back surgery, so had to sit to replace. After taking solenoid off, all I had to do was take dipstick out. I did not need to move anything else. I had to play around with the starter to get right angle to clear flywheel. I took it to the local rebuilder
guy, but the armature was ruined, probably from me tapping on the starter all the years. Anyway, he said it would be cheaper for me to buy one from this site. I ordered the starter. When it came, it went in with less trouble than when I took it out, for some reason. After I hooked it back up, I hit the starter, and it turned over faster than it ever had in 20 years, and started up so fast, I was amazed. For anyone putting starter replacement off, just do it. I really like my 8n again. I have two other modern tractors, but love using my 8n.

I had a tough time with my starter. Removed the coolant petcock and the dipstick. Jiggled and wiggled for awhile. Engine was coming out any way. Engine out it came right off. Yes you could charge for skills like that.

 

[Doug 13]

So you just take a die grinder and enlarge the hole all the way around?

 

[Ed S.]

(quoted from post at 17:23:19 10/01/22)
So you just take a die grinder and enlarge the hole all the way around?

Sorry I don't have a closeup - you can kind of make out that the hole is enlarged (when looking at the hole, toward the rear of the tractor) in the 1-2 o'clock position. This gives a little added clearance for lifting the bendix outward from the flywheel.

Hope that makes sense.

Make sure the mating surfaces between the starter and block are "clean and bright" before reassembly - that's your path to ground.

es

 

[Tim PloughNman Daley]

Slow cranking doesn't always mean a worn starter. Weak or dead battery is usual suspect. There is a document or two on how-to R&R the starter and Manuals are a big help as well. ALL N's had a scallop machined on the engine block starter pocket to assist when installing and removing -aee PIC. You usually have to drain some coolant and remove the petcock out of the way too. Replace the long bolts right away so your unit doesn't all fall apart. Also, shop guy should have skimmed the commutator and new fields coils installed on OEM unit. Best option always to rebuild OEM parts as new stuff not the best made. I guess you got lucky. Keep battery on a float charger too -BATTERY TENDER JR.

FORD N-SERIES TRACTOR ENGINE BLOCK STARTER POCKET PORT w/SCALLOP:

Tim Daley(MI)