8N Temp gauge

I always thought my temp gauge was broken, because the temprature never went above the lowest mark on the gauge. However, a couple of weekends ago I broke the fan belt while brush hogging and didn't notice it right away. (Amazing to me that the N will operate with a broken belt). The first thing I noticed was the engine acting hot. I looked down and the temp gauge was up to 220'ish. Fortunatly no damage was done, I replaced the fan belt and she seems to act like her old self.

My question is, Is the low tempreture reading do to the postion of the sensor? Or Could I have a problem that causes the coolant temprature to stay so low?

Thanks

Greg

Your "problem" is having a tractor that runs cool, about 160 degrees, I've heard. If your gauge is fairly accurate and the temp hit near 220, you must have a better radiator cap than most of us.

Russ
8N58182*

he he he

For what it is worth, this is the way my temp/ gage is installed.

Don't know for sure, since I have never seen a Kero burner, but I'll bet this is the place where they had the temperature sensor. I've seen one 8N with a pipe plug installed at this location. And many other 8N's have a boss on the casting at this location.

The picture of Palmer Fossum's '52 8NAN shows the gage mounted in the dash opposite the proof meter. Would like to know where it was located on pre-proof meter 8NAN's.

Regards,
Larry

1. Drilling and tapping a hole in the head for the sensor

2. Brazing a fitting into the upper radiator tank to accept the sensor

3. Removing the draincock on the side of the block and installing a sensor

4. Making a fitting out of copper plumbing fittings-a tee - 1 1/4"(I think) with a couple of short nipples sweated in and a female 1/2" NPT sweated into the tee. Cut the upper radiator hose ahead of the t'stat and clamp it in. Install sensor with proper bushings into 1/2"NPT female.

All are options and viable. I used the later on my 9N because involved no modification to the engine proper.

Hope this is helpful.

JerryU

What water temp gauge. To others correct me if I am wrong but 8N's never came originally equipt with a water temp gauge. If it has one it must be after market. My 48 8N does not have one.

Eric

As you can tell, there are several ways to do the temp sensor. Your choice.

There are a number of Ford 8N type industrial engines (pumps, generators, jeeps, forklifts...etc...) out there with standard water temp gauge that use the cast boss area in the cylinder head for the temp sensor. Some debate as to whether Ford just drilled the cylinderhead or wheather they used a special casting with a bit thicker metal in that area. I don't know.

I do know that the N-Tractor has a reputation for a "good" cooling system and the engine really needs a 160 thermostat (there is only one) in the upper radiator hose to make it run well and keep the engine oil from gunking up with contaminates and condensates..... .Dell