How REALISTIC is it to restore an 8N for a greenhorn??

Anonymous-0 · Oct 4, 2010

So most of you longtimers are now probably saying "Please God No."

But my goal is to at sometime in the next few buy and restore an 8N.

Any opinions?

Bob Harvey · Oct 4, 2010

Go for it ! Buy the manuals and ask the 'pros' on this site.

R Geiger · Oct 4, 2010

I am in the middle of a rebuild. Don't think I would call it a restoration, but it is all over my shop. Having a blast and if the block passes the inspection at the engine shop I can start putting it back together.

Like Bob says, get the manuals and go for it!

lastcamp2 · Oct 4, 2010

If you don't do it, you will be a greenhorn forever.

oldtanker · Oct 4, 2010

Ron, as said if you don't....There are also really good books on general info about tractor restorations. One of the best I've seen is written by a guy who retores JD. Good common sense advice....for example. Painting, start with the hood. Sand it, prime it, wet sand and paint. If you goof it up, sand it, prime it, wet sand and paint till you get it right. The N's are a great tractor to start on. Simple and easy to work on. Get the books and go for it. Just don't poach any tractors on the Mn side of the border!

Rick

souNdguy · Oct 4, 2010

it's a good starter tractor.. lots of parts support.. lots of people with them that can give you advice... and easy to maintain... get a service and parts manual, and invest about 400$ at harbor freight into a 1/2" drive ratchet set, plus wrenches, screwdrivers, some pullers.. large hammer.. variety of pliers.. adjustable wrench, and maybee an air tool or power tool or two...

soundguy

2Ns no waiting · Oct 4, 2010

Hi-
Like my wise old Grandaddy told me-- "90% of being able to do something is getting up the stones to try"
N's have their quirks, but it's 1930's technology. Very straightforward.
You are in the right place for info. These guys are very knowledgable and will pull you out of a hole in a jiffy!

Put my vote in for go for it!

Best-
Mike
Albert, KS

Joe N E Texas · Oct 4, 2010

There is plenty of good help here. The manuals are the most helpfull tool you can buy .

Anonymous-0 · Oct 4, 2010

Go for it. I'm quite mechanicaly inclined so I wasn't afraid to get started. I got the tractor from my mother inlaw after she died.None of the family wanted it and I had a use for it. I stared buy rebuilding one pcs at a time. I wasn't in a hurry. Did it in my spare time with the help of my young grandson. He was 7 at the time and we spent many an hour in the shop. It took us 2 years and about $6000 in parts and material. It was a total restore. we literaly rebuilt every part on the 49. It was a great learning experiance for him. The only thing we did not do ourseves was getting the crank reground. He learned how to press bearings on and off,how to grind valves and seats,plastigauge bearins tourqe bolt and the like.When I'm gone it will be his. when he gets to be 50 as I was he will be able to show his grandson how to rebuild it again, that is if it needs ia rebuild. when you get done its a great feeling of acomplishment that will last you for the rest of your life.GO FOR IT.

Ed S. · Oct 4, 2010

Nothing happens until you start!

es

gutterman · Oct 4, 2010

(quoted from post at 16:00:25 10/04/10) So most of you longtimers are now probably saying "Please God No."

But my goal is to at sometime in the next few buy and restore an 8N.

Any opinions?

if youre lucky, you may find one that isnt all bad. when i bought mine it would only run for a couple minuets at a time. sure was happy the day i got to drive it and actually turn off the key when i was finished. before it would die and i would drag it home. kinda cleaned and re-installed the carb. after that i wanted to go 12 volt. in doing so i broke the bottom radiator snooder. so i got to learn how to solder. then i thought since i have the hood off i might as well paint it. any way its been a lot of fun. my nephew (9) helped a lot, i guess that was the best part, he got to do almost everything i did. a lot of good times. its near finished now.

Jimmyjack · Oct 4, 2010

Look up Dawn in the archives

Ultradog MN · Oct 4, 2010

Realistic? Probably.
Prudent?
That's another question.
This wont make me any friends but you might rethink "investing" $5K into a machine that Might be worth $3K when you're done.

oldtanker · Oct 4, 2010

LOL that may be true for a restorer.....I think that my planned resto on my 8N will not cost anything like 5K. And I'm not doing a resto to have a parade piece. I'm doing it because it's a working tractor. If I go through it this winter and repaint it should give me years of service without the cost of buying new.

Rick

Ken(Ark) · Oct 4, 2010

.... but you might rethink "investing" $5K into a machine that Might be worth $3K when you're done.

That would be better than my 401K is doing .

Ken(Ark) · Oct 4, 2010

(quoted from post at 11:00:25 10/04/10) So most of you longtimers are now probably saying "Please God No."

But my goal is to at sometime in the next few buy and restore an 8N.

Any opinions?

Dont buy the first cheap N you see but wait for one that is in pretty good shape , even if it costs $1K more .

A $900 worn out N could cost you $4K to restore where a $2500 might not need much .

Once you buy an N , try to get the bugs worked out before you start restoring .

A basket case of parts that may or may not work is a hard puzzle to figure out .

Here is a good article from John Smith's site ,
scroll down to "What should I look for when buying a used 8N?"

http://www.oldfordtractors.com/qa.htm#q16

BigDawg · Oct 4, 2010

I am in the middle of giving it a try, even though I would not call mine a restore but rather getting it to look a little better and going through everything so it will last a while.

I've learned a great deal already. I just need to find the time to finish mine.

BigDawg
Wisconsin

Walston · Oct 5, 2010

There is probably not a better motorized project to choose. The tractor is simple, the parts are plentiful, the manual is very helpful and you can ask any question you have here and the folks are glad to help.

It is a tractor, so if the paint isn't just right or something like that, who cares it will look fine anyway.

I suggest you go for it or else like someone already said, you will always be a greenhorn!

NoNewParts · Oct 5, 2010

Sure, go for it, you can do it
Only thing I would advise is to start up the
ladder a little higher.
Start your project with an NAA or 600 instead of an 8N
Initial price will only be a little more, fixing it up costs
about the same, and they are better tractors.
After you get done painting it red/gray
90% of the non-tractor people are going
to call it an 8N anyway :roll:

edit- whatever model you decide on, NOW is the time to buy
the repair/service/parts manuals. Read them until you
not only understand how to repair stuff, but also understand
HOW each part/subsystem works. Then, when you pick up a wrench,
it will be easy.

Woodchuck · Oct 7, 2010

A restored tractor isn't a destination, it's a journey.

jon · Oct 7, 2010

A restored tractor isn't a destination, it's a journey.

I like that.

How REALISTIC is it to restore an 8N for a greenhorn??

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