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Ford 8N power improvements

P

Pyle Family Farm

New User
Hello, I'm a professional engine builder with over 20 years of experience. I specialized in vintage engines often used for nostalgia racing. I purchased a 8N for use on my mini farm and immediately tore into the engine. I was disappointed with its power output and wanted to see if it could be improved. I felt the funk conversion was likely to over stress the drive train with any serious use. While a very cool looking swap it seemed like a better idea to improve the existing power plant. I have a nice list of modifications I performed in my machine shop that resulted in a power increase that is very noticeable along with a smoother running engine. If anyone is interested I would gladly pass along what I did. I am also available for rebuilding and matching services. I have a new cam profile that in its self is significantly better than the original. As anyone in the know could tell you cam profiles have come a long way since these were made. Please feel free to ask any questions and I will do my best to answer them in a timely manner.
Thanks,
Flathead Don
 
Ford used that same engine in some delivery trucks. With a down draft carburetor and more
rpms that engine made over 40 hp. Did you see the block has an area to machine so a
mechanical fuel pump can be added, the lobe was on the cam.
 
Part numbers and pictures show a updraft carb #0NY9510 for the 41-42 40HP trucks.
Have you seen a downdraft on one??
 
My father in-law was a Ford parts man back in the day and told me about them. I have not seen one. The down draft system he talked about may have been aftermarket.
 
Aftermarket could explain it. My OEM Ford parts book shows 2 manifolds and 2 carburetors, all updraft with 9N and 2 prefix's. I am thinking most of the power increase was due to additional RPM, about 3400 if I remember correctly.
 
While tweaking an engine to get better
performance is fun and all that many of us
just take a look at that platform and decide
to increase performance by other means.
Take another tractor, say a Ford 3000, which
can be had for not much more $ than an N and
you'll automatically get a 50% increase in
horsepower, much greater longevity and if a
diesel, greater reliability. Plus you'll get
remote capable live hydraulics.
If you hold out for a 3000 that's fully
optioned you'll also get live pto, power
steering, differential lock and other
features - all on a platform only slightly
larger than an N.
The Ns are great, small tractors. But if you
want more performance think outside of the
box and look for a newer machine.
 
Ford put a dd carb on N engines in the GPs in WWII along with a right angle drive for a distributer (not a mag)
I don't think they had a governor on them either.
HPIM0271.jpg

HPIM0268.jpg
 
(quoted from post at 08:09:16 05/29/17) While tweaking an engine to get better
performance is fun and all that many of us
just take a look at that platform and decide
to increase performance by other means.
Take another tractor, say a Ford 3000, which
can be had for not much more $ than an N and
you'll automatically get a 50% increase in
horsepower, much greater longevity and if a
diesel, greater reliability. Plus you'll get
remote capable live hydraulics.
If you hold out for a 3000 that's fully
optioned you'll also get live pto, power
steering, differential lock and other
features - all on a platform only slightly
larger than an N.
The Ns are great, small tractors. But if you
want more performance think outside of the
box and look for a newer machine.
Click to expand...

Agree completely. Modding up a marginal tractor still leaves you with a marginal tractor with a little more HP. For the same money I see N series Fords going for around here you can get a 10-30 year newer tractor with more power, live hydraulics, live pto, power steering, maybe a cab even. Why bother?
 
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