Convert to 12V or Stay Original ?

allenlane

Member
My dad recently gave me a 1945 9N that he converted to 12V and electronic ignition with a one wire alternator. When I picked it up we finally got it turning over good enough to start, good fuel to carb, but could not get any fire at plugs or voltage at distributor. We ran out of time and gave up for now needed too load it up. Is the original 6V system really that problematic enough to switch over to 12 V system? I will likely use it to mow every now and then, but will not get used weekly. Mostly just want to paint it up and have it look pretty. Should I stay with conversion or go back to 6V?
 
(quoted from post at 11:56:41 11/23/17) My dad recently gave me a 1945 9N that he converted to 12V and electronic ignition with a one wire alternator. When I picked it up we finally got it turning over good enough to start, good fuel to carb, but could not get any fire at plugs or voltage at distributor. We ran out of time and gave up for now needed too load it up. Is the original 6V system really that problematic enough to switch over to 12 V system? I will likely use it to mow every now and then, but will not get used weekly. Mostly just want to paint it up and have it look pretty. Should I stay with conversion or go back to 6V?
I have two 8ns that I have converted, I would suggest you stay with 12 volts unless you want to make a show trator out of it. Much better starting and a lot less charging problems.
 
All for of my 8N's are 6v w/ points. Because they all start & run fine, I've never seen a need to convert them. My 740 has been converted to 12v; I don't have a need to add EI to it.

All that being said, you aren't restoring the tractor so looks aren't that critical to you. Cost is another factor; you'd need to buy a generator, cut out & battery. Plus points & a condenser.

Worst case, your module failed; just buy another one. EI is a better choice if the tractor sits unused for 30 days or more.

But, before you buy anything, troubleshoot the problem.

And if you keep the EI, make sure you get suppression plug wires. The module doesn't like the RFI from copper wires.
75 Tips
 
I?m a purest so I?d leave it 6 V. My 48 8N 6V gets started only once or twice a year and always starts right up as long as the batt is up and gas in the tank
 
There's nothing wrong/problematic with the original 6-volt/positive ground electrical system on these old Fords; that is a myth propagated by the uneducated. Likewise, nothing wrong with doing a 12-volt conversion, just be sure either way they are wired correctly with the correct components. Search out Wiring Pictograms by JMOR -you can find it on the other Ford N-Series Tractor club web site for free download. That has all the correct ways to wire these old N's whether 6 volt or 12 volt. Invest in a good brand battery, bargain house units have very short life expectancy, and also a Battery Tender to keep it fully charged when not going to be used for a while so the battery is kept charged and ready to go when you do need it. You can buy battery tenders at Wally World for about $30. Many 12-volt conversions are done because there are other issues causing the non-starting problems, but the owner does not know how to proceed troubleshooting the root cause. Thus their 'solution' is trying to convert to 12-volts and end up with a cobbled mess that may or may not work, at least for a while. Like Bruce, I have never converted my early 9N or early 8N to 12-volts and never had a desire nor need to. My 8Nis my working machine, store din unheated barn, and will fire up in the coldest of coldest weather. Why? Because 6-volts must be maintained better -Clean, Bright, and Tight is the mantra...

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If it were mine, I would leave it 12 volt, make sure it has a 12 volt coil, and go back to points if the electronic ignition is toast
 
Given the problems reported with points recently, I would not go back to points. Because it is already 12V, I would not go back to 6V.

In any case, figure out what is wrong first, then decide what to do. There's a lot of expertise hanging around here - you've come to the right place for help.
 
Whether 6 or 12 volts, if it works leave it
as is.
As for the purists, it always tickles me to
see a guy grouse about an alternator hanging
on the side of one of these tractors because
it's not original. Then you look and see his
9N or 2N is painted red and gray.
 
Thanks Fellas for good info and for being patient with a newbie on a topic that I'm sure comes up a lot. For now, I'll get the 12V system up and running so I can move it around safely. It will have to wait until I get my 48 3600 Chevy restored before it gets any serious attention.
 
If it's already converted to 12volt I'd leave it. If it was mine
and the EI is burned out. I would put points back in. Much
cheaper and they start just as good.
 
Generators &amp; regulators &amp; cut outs are fine for many, but likewise many more don't have the knowledge to deal with them &amp; if much needs replacing, the old standard Delco 10SI is the price beater.
 
I think there are some people out there that are very good on 6 volt system and being able to properly keep the n tractors tuned. 6 volt batteries with a properly tuned gen and voltage regulator and having the knowledge to tune them has no problems keeping them running. my self and probably a lot more don't have that knowledge. The conversion over to 12 volt will actually help overcome some things that aren't tuned properly to start them. Normally once they start voltage doesn't matter. Its really up to each individuals preference. I always convert my tractors over. They are not in a heated building and 12 volts seems to be a lot better in cold weather. But for the argument sake you will get both sides. just saying.
 

For a N are anything else to function on a sub-par 6V system it has to be in very good condition along with a dictated owner to keep it up. Some convert because 12V comes natural and the parts are cheap and dependable unlike 6V replacement parts are junk and not dependable.

To answer your question it would depend on the condition of the engine and associated operating system parts you are no one else will take the time to investigate and report...

I brought a 8N a few months ago ignition and fuel system are in good enoufh shape it should fire off its hard to start the governed needs repaired the rest is well used up it has a working 8V battery and charging system. I an not going to waist anymore of my time I am going to junk it... Converting it to 12V may get it out the door and resolve the hard staring issue its not going to happen tho...

I vote keep it 12V's if you have to ask the question you are in trouble either way..
 
To each his own and everyone has an opinion. Personally I will keep mine 6V with a little
twist. I buy the parts and build my own 6 Volt positive ground, one wire alternators. They
work beautifully, and you don't have to go to a lot of expense changing coils,headlight
bulbs etc. and they will charge 60 amps at start. I keep one on the shelf all the time.
Going to put one on a Jubilee next week.
 
Hobo, I would prefer to say that if I have to ask the question, it means I have a little work to do to figure it out vs. being in trouble. None of us come in to the world knowing the ins and outs of these tractors or anything else for that matter, some of us just get exposed to it a little earlier.
 

To answer your question the first thing the inexperienced need to do is to learn to evaluate the health of the engine, starting/charging system and fuel system. IT SHOULD ALSO BE THE FIRST THING THE EXPERIENCED SHOULD DO when faced with a unknown tractor.

If you want to use the tractor evaluate the health of the engine that would start with a compression test a cylinder leak down test if compression numbers are low and determine the health of the oil pressure. If all's good move on with what pleases you if not you may be pizz'N in the wind...

Your putting the horse in front of the cart.

I brought a 8N a few months ago ignition and fuel system are in good enoufh shape it should fire off its hard to start the governed needs repaired the rest is well used up it has a working 8V battery and charging system. I an not going to waist anymore of my time I am going to junk it... Converting it to 12V may get it out the door and resolve the hard staring issue its not going to happen tho...

In other words the engine is tired it needs more than I am willing to put into it I gave it a fair shot at a new life. Besides it has a nice set of 13.6X28 tires they are going to be transplanted onto my 3000 :)
 
Agree Hobie for an unknown tractor. This tractor isn't unknown. It ran fine 3 or 4 years ago when I drove it at Dad's. It has setup since then outside and just needs some TLC. First thing I want to do is get it running so I can move it around safely until I can get to it for a partial restoration. The reason I asked the question, is before I spend money replacing electrical parts on this 12V system, if you experts had strongly recommended going back to 6, I would have headed that direction. That however, is not what happened. So I will stay with the 12V until we get her fired up.
Thanks
 

Followup - I cleaned all electrical connections. Put in new plugs. A new battery and a temporary fuel tank to make sure we get clean fuel to the carb. Made sure we were getting 12 volts to the coil, and good spark. She fired up right away and runs like a champ. Idles fine, I need a tach to see how low she will idle. Turns over 1 or twice and starts every time. My float seat is leaking so need to check out the carb and see what is causing that, but very pleased. Also need to get a new temp gauge to make sure she's not running hot, but radiator not boiling and she doesn't seem to be. If I new how to post videos would do so. Thanks for the help fellas.
 

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