Several days ago, there were a couple of series of posts about "N" grills from a supplier on Ebay that was new, at least to some of us. The writer noted the grills were $46.20, shipping included, and were top quality. One of my 8N's had a non-standard and poor quality aftermarket grill when I bought it, so I thought I would try one given it is currently partially disassembled and easier to work on. It is a truly, heavy-duty, virtual identical to the real McCoy; almost as if Stevens Lake (the Ebay source) had found a warehouse full of original Ford inventory. It arrived primed and ready for paint. With all the criticisms here by many, included me, of poor quality parts we often have to modify and sometimes even then cannot use, I thought it was worth a kudo to this supplier. It is a very impressive repro at an impressive price!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Ford-Tractor-2N-8N-9N-Restoration-Quality-Radiator-Grill-8N8204-Free-Ship-/230839404114?hash=item35bf19c652:m:m4gCuXiIlqKy09rpM_bB0FQ

Now the curious part: there is no indication where it was made, it shipped from near Lansing, Michigan, my credit card was charged in California, and (most mysterious of all), the phone number referenced on my credit card charge is the same phone number (area code and all) as YT uses on its charges, though the YT number is charged from WA state.

I don't care if/how YT is associated, but I am a curious sort and wonder if anyone knows the relationship? I even ordered another for my first 8N, whose grill is original but whose hinges are old, stiff, paint-caked finger busters. I hope to check out other parts by this new supplier, his site shows several other N things.
 
I just got one in its damaged will return. It is still a little short compared to a original. It may work if I were going to use it I would strip it and apply a good primer. The primer on this one has popped off were its bent no adhesion at all. Across the top it has surface rust under the primer I suspect its just cheap arse power coat.
 

Before I took it out of the bad there was rust along the top stuck to the bag I knew there would be some kind of issue but hoping for the best. I could sale a nice one but not this P.O.S.
 
Rust under paint

8N%20GRILL%20Damaged%20005_zpsxqe1hw5h.jpg




8N%20GRILL%20Damaged%20004_zpsqa01vbf5.jpg


damage

8N%20GRILL%20Damaged%20003_zpsgm0ronlt.jpg


8N%20GRILL%20Damaged%20002_zpsltwepuoc.jpg


8N%20GRILL%20Damaged%20006_zpstse8sbva.jpg


The paint can be worked around as long as it fits this one comes up a little short by my measurements.
 
I just got mine. Much nicer than Hobo's with no rust or flaked areas but the very thick primer makes me nervous with its tendency to chip and if I was going to put it on a restoration I would probably feel I'd have to completely strip it. Mine has a couple pinholes from weld-through I'll have to weld up and grind. Tractor is buried in snow so I haven't had a chance to check the fit, but I compared it with an old original Ford one and all the dimensions are within 1/8" of each other so it should be OK.

I was a little disappointed to find that it weighed only 9 lbs after being told by the seller that they weighed 11. Odd thing is, I can't figure out where the missing weight went - the metal thicknesses are all pretty much the same. The details in how it is made - catches mounting points grill bars etc - are all just as on the original. It would be very hard to tell it was not an original once it was painted and on the tractor.

All in all a respectable and perfectly usable offering though a typical import with the usual warts and blemishes. If I didn't have any grill at all I would probably be overjoyed with it, but since I do have an original one with a buggered center strip I'm just too lazy to fix I am a little more fussy.
 
(quoted from post at 21:39:32 02/22/17) I just got mine. Much nicer than Hobo's with no rust or flaked areas but the very thick primer makes me nervous with its tendency to chip and if I was going to put it on a restoration I would probably feel I'd have to completely strip it. Mine has a couple pinholes from weld-through I'll have to weld up and grind. Tractor is buried in snow so I haven't had a chance to check the fit, but I compared it with an old original Ford one and all the dimensions are within 1/8" of each other so it should be OK.

I was a little disappointed to find that it weighed only 9 lbs after being told by the seller that they weighed 11. Odd thing is, I can't figure out where the missing weight went - the metal thicknesses are all pretty much the same. The details in how it is made - catches mounting points grill bars etc - are all just as on the original. It would be very hard to tell it was not an original once it was painted and on the tractor.

All in all a respectable and perfectly usable offering though a typical import with the usual warts and blemishes. If I didn't have any grill at all I would probably be overjoyed with it, but since I do have an original one with a buggered center strip I'm just too lazy to fix I am a little more fussy.

1/8" short is what I came up with I have a sparex that's 1/4" short :cry: they both look the same. I am gonna try and stretch it nuttin to loose by laying it flat and pushing it in :idea:

Yes for the money a deal but as you can see no way I could sale it for profit. I am better off to fix the short comings with the sparex. Luch of the draw I recon :twisted:
 

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