Noob greetings and questions-igntion, serial, etc

TraktorFreunde · Oct 4, 2017

Hello all,
Just bought myself an 8N and am glad to see such great resources online, including this fine site.
Couple of questions if anyone has a moment to answer.
My machine has a 12 volt conversion (I know, I've seen a bunch of related posts...but) and it works fine, but I noticed the ceramic resistor is partially broken (the ceramic part). The wires hold, so no problem, but being I'm a stickler when I see something that can possible fail, I'd like to replace it. Here's the thing. When I check it with a meter, I get 3 ohms (nothing else connected to it of course). I can't find such a part anywhere. They seem to be .6, 1, 1.6, but not 3. I'm going to check it with a different meter, but barring something wrong there, does anyone know where I can get one? Or could it be that something is up and it was originally a lower rated resistor?
My other question is determining the serial number. It's rusted/scraped/something off on this thing. I'm sure it a 48/49 due to the front distributor. Is there another hiding place to find the serial number?

Thanks a bunch all!

Mike

Bruce (VA) · Oct 4, 2017

Re the serial number, see tip # 71. Clean it to bare metal w/ a green scrubby & paint remover. Then rub it w/ chalk & try a flashlight. If it truly does not have a s/n, see John Smith's site to find the casting codes & other clues: http://www.oldfordtractors.com/idhistory.htm

It could be a 1950; I've got 3 w/ front distributors.

Re the ceramic resistor, remove it. Buy a 12 volt coil & only use the oem ballast resistor. See tip # 30.
75 Tips

Tim PloughNman Daley RIP · Oct 5, 2017

You get the serial number on the engine block, left side, to the right of the oil filter housing, just under the head. See picture below. You/we know it has a front mount distributor so that is the important part of the equation regardless that there were some front-mounts built in early 1950. Download Bruce (VA)'s 75 Tips for N-Owners, keep a copy handy in your shop. Also many of us recommend you invest the essential manuals, the I&T F-04 is very important, an Operator's Manual, and a copy of the '39-'53 MPC (Master Parts Catalog) if you wanna be an N-Owner. These are very important to have and read religiously. Next is to get a copy of WIRING PICTOGRAMS by JMOR, and download as well. The ceramic resistor is not correct so follow what Bruce already said to do. You should always disconnect the battery when working on electrical issues -just to be safe you don't accidentally short something to ground and let the smoke out of a sensitive component.

FORD N-SERIES TRACTOR ESSENTIAL MANUALS FOR OWNERS:

EARLY 8N SERIAL NUMBER LOCATION:

Tim Daley(MI)

TraktorFreunde · Oct 5, 2017

Thanks a bunch, I'll give it a try (serial number) and give a look into the coil.

TraktorFreunde · Oct 5, 2017

And I've bought the manuals. That was the first thing!

Noob greetings and questions-igntion, serial, etc

TraktorFreunde

Member

Bruce (VA)

Well-known Member

Tim PloughNman Daley RIP

Well-known Member

TraktorFreunde

Member

TraktorFreunde

Member

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