8n Distributor Rotor

general365

New User
Hello. The replacement rotor I received from YT has a metal flexible tab hanging over the top of the rotor, whereas the one I took out does not. I noticed a screw holding the rotor contact and this tab on, so I removed the flexible tab. 1952 Ford 8n front mount distributor, 12v system. Which style of rotor do I need? Tractor sat up for about 5 weeks while I recovered from surgery. Ran great last time I used it, now won't start. Thanks.
 
(quoted from post at 08:26:07 10/05/17) Hello. The replacement rotor I received from YT has a metal flexible tab hanging over the top of the rotor, whereas the one I took out does not. I noticed a screw holding the rotor contact and this tab on, so I removed the flexible tab. 1952 Ford 8n front mount distributor, 12v system. Which style of rotor do I need? Tractor sat up for about 5 weeks while I recovered from surgery. Ran great last time I used it, now won't start. Thanks.

A 1952 would have the side mount dist, not the front mount one. order one for what you not what you think you have.
 
(quoted from post at 10:26:07 10/05/17) Hello. The replacement rotor I received from YT has a metal flexible tab hanging over the top of the rotor, whereas the one I took out does not. I noticed a screw holding the rotor contact and this tab on, so I removed the flexible tab. 1952 Ford 8n front mount distributor, 12v system. Which style of rotor do I need? Tractor sat up for about 5 weeks while I recovered from surgery. Ran great last time I used it, now won't start. Thanks.
"...so I removed the flexible tab." Put it back!
 
Engine block clearly has 1952 on it on the left side near the starter, and it has a front mount distributor. Also, the rotor that was on it when it ran does NOT have the metal tab. Wondering why it ran without it.
 
"1952 Ford 8n front mount distributor, 12v system."

1952 hs side mount distributor and no metal tab on rotor. Front mount dist has metal tab on rotor. Which do you have? Can you
post pictures.
 
(reply to post at 08:12:11 10/05/17)
FRONT mount distributor, NO metal tab. If this is not possible as seems to be suggested, how did it run? Yes, I am a newby, but not an idiot, although nobody has suggested that yet. :)
 

I WISH it had a side mount distributor. I have big hands, and the front mount is a little tough to work on.
 
(quoted from post at 11:12:11 10/05/17) "1952 Ford 8n front mount distributor, 12v system."

1952 hs side mount distributor and no metal tab on rotor. Front mount dist has metal tab on rotor. Which do you have? Can you
post pictures.
think You and the others are speaking of different metal tabs. Shaft vs electrical path.
 
General,Yes it could have a front mount distributor on it as many parts can be changed over different years of N engines.Are you sure the metal tab on the rotor did not fall out of the inside of the cap when tou took it off,as it had to be on the rotor when it was running.
 
(quoted from post at 12:06:33 10/05/17) Not sure about that. I am at work, I will check this afternoon. Thanks
ompare. NOTE to the general: without the metal (conductor) there would be no path for spark to travel from center post of distributor cap to each of the 4 post around the periphery.
dza6ty4.jpg
 
Did y'all just hear me hit my head and say "DOH"? Maybe I AM an idiot after all. Mine is the tan one on the right, but I swear that it does NOT currently have the tab on it. Can't wat to get home and put the tab back on. I looked at the old one only after noticing that the tab was bent on the new one, almost certainly because I bent it on installation. I will reply tomorrow with results. Thanks
 
A lot of people get front and side mount distributors confused.
This is a photo of a front mount distributor cap.

Does it look like yours?
a173905.jpg
 
(quoted from post at 17:17:53 10/05/17) That's a front mount.
And, I noticed after closer inspection that the tab had indeed broken off of the old rotor. Replaced the tab on new rotor, fired up immediately! So the tab must have broken off after the last shutdown, or during the next starting attempt. Anyway, thanks for the help!
 

I followed this thread with rapt attention
but still couldn't get a hinge on what "tab" meant.

Don't know what that spring loaded contact is called.
Rotor's Coil Contact
rotor to coil contact

The copper spring, brass tipped contact that's in my truck's old gas tank sender top is a thing of beauty . . . and riding on a stainless steel bracelet. :D

Terry
4392.jpg
 
(quoted from post at 16:23:01 10/05/17)
I WISH it had a side mount distributor. I have big hands, and the front mount is a little tough to work on.

I presume you are taking the (front mount) distributor off of the tractor to work on it? Don't need small hands if you do that, otherwise I don't think you can work on it at all while still attached. Take the wire off the coil, unsnap it and take it out, remove the plug wires, half inch wrench and unbolt the two bolts on the dizzy (one on each side). Take it to the bench and make it right.
 
I have an early 8N with a front mount distributor. The engine number is for a side mount distributor. On the right rear side of my 8N engine
is a tag stating that it is a Ford authorized remanufactured engine. Maybe your's has been switched at some previous time.
 
I don't know where you are seeing a "52" in the serial number but there ain't one, never were any s/n's with a date. Any 5/2 number is purely coincidence and has nothing to do with model year 1952, that is providing you are looking in the right place. There were date code bosses on the early 8N engine block castings, on the starter pocket. Ford Nomenclature defines the code as: 1st = one Letter, A-L, denotes month cast, i.e. 'A' = January. Next, a Numeral, one or two digits, 1-31, denotes DAY of month block was cast; Lastly; a single digit numeral denoting LAST number in the year block was cast. For example: " I167 " is defined as September 16, 1947. That is the date the block was cast, NOT date the tractor was assembled. FWIW, engine block serial numbers did not get stamped until later after they were machined, assembled, and passed QC Inspection/testing. This was done at least 30 days after they were cast. It was not just tractors. This is the way FORD produced ALL engines. Here are the correct places to be looking:

EARLY 8N FORD TRACTOR SERIAL NUMBER LOCATION:
2QvuQBGl.jpg

EARLY 8N FORD TRACTOR ENGINE CASTING CODE ??I167?:
hHB61ZVl.jpg
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Tim *PloughNman* Daley(MI)​
 
Yep, engine blocks were swapped out when/if one was blown by a dealer or the farmer himself. What is your 'engine number'? Can you post pictures? Would love to see that tag. Though it is possible to change a front mount over to a side mount, it doesn't make sense to do it the other way around so we need more info...better yet PICTURES...

Tim Daley(MI)
 

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