1948 Ford 8N - Help Please!

k.porter · Mar 7, 2017

Hi folks,

New to the board, and pretty new to tractors period. I've got a 1948 Ford 8N I bought a little over a year ago. It worked pretty well, and successfully pulled out some old cemented fence posts, plowed the garden, etc. until it gave up. The pressure dropped significantly, then she stopped working. After an oil change, she fired up again, oil pressure seemed okay, and my partner was able to reverse the tractor a bit. Then it quit again. It seemed like it wasn't cranking over fast enough after the 2nd time it stopped, so we replaced the points and condenser (looked like it needed it anyways). No luck after that. It's been a lawn ornament in that spot since, as I haven't had much time to research and repair.

What I'm asking for is the best "plan of action". What should I be checking first? I'm hoping to find a shop or a local person who knows these tractors who can help, but I'd also like to have an idea what to do myself.

Thanks!
Keely.

Bruce (VA) · Mar 7, 2017

See tip # 13. Post back with what you find
out.
75 Tips

Kenockee 8N · Mar 7, 2017

Keely,

Welcome to the site.

When you said the pressure dropped significantly, what was it at and what did it drop to? Did it make any knocking sounds when the pressure dropped?

Do you know if the tractor has been converted to 12V or is it still the 6V system? Either way, make sure that the battery is charged good.

k.porter · Mar 7, 2017

Kenockee 8N:

Hard for me to say exactly, as my partner was driving the tractor. She just reported that it dropped significantly (ie. needle went far closer to the zero mark). I don't believe any abnormal sounds were noted, and when it started up after the oil change it sounded pretty normal.

It's still the 6V system. I'll be charging the battery again soon, and then the adventures will continue.

Bruce:

Thanks for that! I'll have a good read through all the tips as well, but will certainly work with Tip #13 and post findings when I can. For this, just to clarify -- open the gap on an old plug to 1/4". Use this plug for testing spark at all the cylinders. Check the normal way (ie. touch the plug to the engine, crank over, look for spark to jump the plug gap)?

Cheers fellas.

[/quote]

R Geiger · Mar 7, 2017

When, not if, you get it running, be very careful pulling things out of the ground with any tractor. They can flip over real fast especially if you hook your chain to high on the tractor.
You got it on checking the spark, but don't forget to check the fuel thru the carb.

Roger in Iowa · Mar 7, 2017

Location would help find someone to assist you. Where are you?

k.porter · Mar 7, 2017

I like your confidence with the "when". Appreciated!

And yes, we were super careful when pulling the fence posts out. I'm not one for unnecessary risk. I doubt we'll need to pull much else if anything. The tractor's main purpose is for the gardens.

Cheers!
-Keely.

k.porter · Mar 7, 2017

Ah, good call. I'm in the Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia, Canada.

-Keely.

flembo · Mar 7, 2017

Hi k.porter There are two YT fellas somewhat close to you Blunoser in Truro and Murray in Cole Harbor I don't know them or what they have for tractors but it might be worth putting a call out for them on here. Also there is a Yt. map I don't know how to post a link to it but others here can, you can put a marker where you live.

flembo · Mar 8, 2017

Hi again K.porter I have been watching this thread because I have a camp on Ponhook Lake in Labelle N.S so it just sparked a little interest. Bruce Va can give great advice and his 75 tips are a great help along with that I would suggest getting a FO4 shop manual. I read that you replaced points and condenser so you learned a little about front mt. distributers. I have 2 48 8ns and have done it a few times myself one thing I have found about some of the points you get today is that they are not made as well as they used to be. the last one I did I had trouble getting the .015 gap because the screw hole was not right I had to file it a little also the points didn't close parallel to one another so I had to tweak that. As far as oil press. is concerned some folks here say as little as 10 psi is OK because of low rpm motor, both of mine start at 40 psi then drop as they warm up one stays at 30psi the other drops to 15 or 20 with 10-40 oil also folks here suggest using 20-50 oil if the press. is low. I am no expert but am passing on what I have learned both from working on em and reading here. HTH.

k.porter · Mar 8, 2017

Hi flembo,

Yes, I had similar issues with my points. I can't remember what exactly wasn't right, but I know I had to tinker with them a fair bit to get things even close to where they should be. I plan to have another look at these as well to make sure the points are still where they need to be.

Looks like a great spot for a cottage!

1948 Ford 8N - Help Please!

k.porter

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Bruce (VA)

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Kenockee 8N

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k.porter

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R Geiger

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Roger in Iowa

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k.porter

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k.porter

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flembo

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flembo

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k.porter

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