Starting Problem 8N

I was trying to pull my 52 8N from the winter shed to pull down a dead tree today, but she wouldn't start. She had been sitting up for about 90 days. The 52 8N has always been quick to start even after sitting for the cool winters down here in Louisiana.
This year we had a hard freeze which took all the plants for two days and nights, but she usually bounces back strong.

I cleaned the battery post and cables and cleaned the other copper or metal wire clips and that got the old girl to turn over and spit a few times. With the key off it turned over easy for a long as you hold the button down.
But with the key on it turns over and spits and the starter spins freely.
I may have flooded her trying too long looking for that always quick startup.
So I quit this afternoon and cut off the fuel line. I'm going to let her rest tonight.

Any ideas? It may be time for a tuneup, wires, plug, etc. I need to take down the tree before it falls on the barn asap.
 
(quoted from post at 01:18:29 03/07/17) I was trying to pull my 52 8N from the winter shed to pull down a dead tree today, but she wouldn't start. She had been sitting up for about 90 days. The 52 8N has always been quick to start even after sitting for the cool winters down here in Louisiana.
This year we had a hard freeze which took all the plants for two days and nights, but she usually bounces back strong.

I cleaned the battery post and cables and cleaned the other copper or metal wire clips and that got the old girl to turn over and spit a few times. With the key off it turned over easy for a long as you hold the button down.
But with the key on it turns over and spits and the starter spins freely.
I may have flooded her trying too long looking for that always quick startup.
So I quit this afternoon and cut off the fuel line. I'm going to let her rest tonight.

Any ideas? It may be time for a tuneup, wires, plug, etc. I need to take down the tree before it falls on the barn asap.
irst & most important, don't pull the tree over on yourself. Next, verify points....they corrode when sitting.
 
Most likely points corroded as JMOR said..check your spark--need strong
blue,not yellow, spark that will jump a 3/16 to a 1/4" gap..
 
First, replace the plugs. If you flooded it, they're fouled & it will be it next to impossible to start. You don't need to toss them; heat the tips for a few seconds w/ a propane torch to burn off the invisible spark-robbing deposits from today's additive filled gasoline........or wash them in brake cleaner.

Next, put your battery on a charger. (see tip # 60). All that cranking has drained it.

You need a strong battery to:

1. Close the solenoid

2. Spin the starter

3. Engage the bendix

4. Provide voltage to the coil.

As the battery gets weaker, the first thing to fail is your spark. If the battery is almost totally dead, all you will hear is the solenoid clicking.

The more current you use to spin the starter, the less you have for the ignition.

Finally, and most importantly, check the points as JMOR said. Chances are they are corroded. Dress them with card stock.
75 Tips
 
SAFETY first like JMOR said. Know how to pull correctly and safely with your N. Never pull above the PTO and never pull with the top tree rocker. Always pull from the underside using a drawbar. Now, is your 8N with a 6-volt/positive ground system or a 12 volt conversion system? Either one, check the wiring for correct set up. Google or Bing JMOR's Wiring Diagrams or go to the 'other' Ford N Tractor site to get them. Also, seek a copy of Bruce(VA)'s 75 Tips For N Owners and keep handy. You can jump a 6 volt or a 12 volt tractor with your car or truck battery -just gotta know the proper procedure to do so SAFELY. Three things you need -spark, fuel, and compression. Pull plugs and clean and dry off then check for good fuel flow. Then check for a good spark. You can try to clean and buff points too but if'N it were me, I'd just go ahead and do a tune up since the distributor is off at this point. Your problem is most likely fuel or spark related and not compression so work on eliminating the possible root causes one a at a time. Check the basics. Did battery discharge -they do if setting for long periods without being charged up. Put your voltmeter on battery, engine off, probes don't matter which post they touch, and see what your battery static charge reads. 6 volt battery should read around 7.3 V fully charged, a 12 volt battery should read 13/14 V static fully charged. If you don't have a Multi-Meter, you can take your battery to any starter/alternator shop and they can bench test it, usually for free, under load to determine if it'll sustain a charge.

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<font color="#FFFFFF" size="3">*9N653I* & *8NI55I3*</font>​
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It's a 36' stag no limbs sitting between two healthy larger trees.

I use a 100' 1" rope on the tractor, and most of the time I pull with the use of another tree by pulling 90 degrees away from the tree coming down.

We bought a 8 acre forest on the edge of a 1000 acre forest. I cleared about 250 trees for the driveway and the spot where we built the house. I have a 1/4 acre cleared and the rest is natural, untouched for about a hundred years. The trees are so packed that most of the time you can put your hand on two different trees while standing in the same place. Living here in a forest, when a tree gets sick and dies usually it falls apart first and 99% of the time the tree is positioned to fall away form a building.
I've got a skinny 45' tree that died 5 years ago. All the limbs are gone and 3 years ago I chained it to another bigger tree so when it does fall the second tree will catch the tree and swing it to drop in a predetermined spot. It's a live oak.

It's been a while since I've visited here and I'm glad that the interest is still here to help each other.

I'm gone to see if she starts.
 
The old girl started up after I filed the points. I'll be ordering a new set tomorrow.

The dead tree dropped perfectly. I picked up the 8N about 20 years ago to haul and drag logs.
 
It would have hit the barn if it fell the way it was leaning. It was about 8" longer than distance to the barn.

As soon as it it the ground the dog attacked the tree and started chewing on it with a hardy growl.
 
hey Bishop........you do know yer 8N carbie is gravity fed, don't you? There's a DOME at the front and top of the tank that is the BREATHER fer yer tank. MUD DAUBBERS like to fill the breather hole and iff'n yer tank don't breath, the gas won't drain to yer carbie. Me? I wouldn't mucka round. I'd just replace yer gastank cap with a breathing cap from a 600-series Ford Tractor. 2nd, yer points. I'd clamp the corner of $1-bill (cheap) between the points and PULL. Polish the INVISIBLE CORROSION from between the points. 3rd, loosen the 8-in screws from yer starter motor and pull it out about 1/2-in or so. Then scrub BOTH sides of the gap with coarse sandpaper, them 8-in screws don't make a good GROUND. Cleaning yer battery POSTS and CLAMPS was a good thing. Final thought, ennytime you have starting issues, replace yer sparkies. Recommend AutoLite 437's gapped 0.025. Dont throw yer FLOODED sparkies away, just clean-n-dry 'em, one-atta-time in HOT running engine and save'um fer the next time. (and there will be a NEXT time) ..........HTH, Dell, yer self-appointed sparkie-meister
 
It's always comforting to know the members here are ready to help anytime we need it.

The 65 year old tractor is running again, ready and waiting, for the next thing it's called on to do.

Thanks
 

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