Fixing 12V Conversion

I recently purchased a side distributor 8N and noticed the prior owner did a very poor job with a home made 12V conversion. It appears they cut the back ear off what I am thinking was the stock generator mount and welded it to the front and bolted the alternator to that. That must have put the alternator too far forward so they slotted the holes where it bolts to the block to move it rearward. This of coarse put the assembly too far rearward so you can't put the nut on the front stud leaving only one stud to hold the bracket on. On top of that the alternator top mount is an L bracket that bolts with one bolt on top of the front ear of the oil filter housing. As the alternator is only held on with 2 bolts it wobbles around a lot while running and it is impossible to tighten the belt properly so I am looking to fix it. I have not seen a side mount with a 12V conversion but I am guessing from looking at the conversion bracket pictures online it uses the stock generator bracket. Is that correct? If so does anyone have any stock generator brackets for sale?

If they didn't modify the block, YT sells all the brackets.
Here's a link to the electrical parts page. Link
Hopefully you can find what you need there.

I saw the conversion brackets at http://www.yesterdaystractors.com/Ford-8N_Alternator-Base-Bracket_8NL10303.htmll. It looks like the conversion brackets bolt to the stock generator bracket which I no longer have. I didn't see any stock generator brackets for sale, only the conversion brackets and generators less brackets. Am I correct in thinking the conversion brackets need the stock generator bracket? I wish I could find a side mount 8N or picture to reference but all of the local ones and pictures I can find online are front mounts which leaves me guessing how it is supposed to be done properly.

(quoted from post at 18:42:43 04/06/14) I saw the conversion brackets at http://www.yesterdaystractors.com/Ford-8N_Alternator-Base-Bracket_8NL10303.htmll. It looks like the conversion brackets bolt to the stock generator bracket which I no longer have. I didn't see any stock generator brackets for sale, only the conversion brackets and generators less brackets. Am I correct in thinking the conversion brackets need the stock generator bracket? I wish I could find a side mount 8N or picture to reference but all of the local ones and pictures I can find online are front mounts which leaves me guessing how it is supposed to be done properly.

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Yes, they used a piece of the old generator mount. Here, you can see what is kept & discarded of old gen bracket & even one where the fellow just jammed the alt into the old gen mount!

Thank you for the pictures. Looks like I need the red bracket. Found one on ebay and will be ordering. Quick question: what is the brass adapter in the center of the first picture in the cylinder head? Is that for a coolant temp sensor?

(quoted from post at 00:01:13 04/07/14) Thank you for the pictures. Looks like I need the red bracket. Found one on ebay and will be ordering. Quick question: what is the brass adapter in the center of the first picture in the cylinder head? Is that for a coolant temp sensor?

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es. If you want one, you have to drill a hole, tap it with threads to match your sensor.

Thank you. The placement of that boss is interesting, almost like Ford had intended to put a coolant temperature gauge in and then changed there minds.
Well, ran into a new problem the other day. Figured I would change the oil prior to doing some work with the tractor. Took the drain plug out and noticed the screen was missing on the drain plug. Decided to stick my finger in the oil pan to see if there was any sludge in the pan and instead found the oil pick up laying in the bottom of the pan. Odd thing is it had oil pressure and didn't make any abnormal noises prior to draining the oil. Now I need to decide whether to drop the pan to replace the pick up and check the bearings or just pull the engine and go through it. I was planning to use the tractor this year for garden and pasture work and then go through the engine next winter. Guess that timeline has changed a bit :roll:

(quoted from post at 23:10:54 04/07/14) Thank you. The placement of that boss is interesting, almost like Ford had intended to put a coolant temperature gauge in and then changed there minds.
Well, ran into a new problem the other day. Figured I would change the oil prior to doing some work with the tractor. Took the drain plug out and noticed the screen was missing on the drain plug. Decided to stick my finger in the oil pan to see if there was any sludge in the pan and instead found the oil pick up laying in the bottom of the pan. Odd thing is it had oil pressure and didn't make any abnormal noises prior to draining the oil. Now I need to decide whether to drop the pan to replace the pick up and check the bearings or just pull the engine and go through it. I was planning to use the tractor this year for garden and pasture work and then go through the engine next winter. Guess that timeline has changed a bit :roll:

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f all engine operation seems well, I would just fix tube & get on with life. Tempsender 'boss'..........this engine was used in a few other applications such as light trucks, panel delivery, prototype Jeep, combines, water pumps, generator plants, etc. and some had temp gauges & some electric oil pressure gauges.