1949 8n

Grays vintage · Dec 21, 2014

I just picked up a 49 8n had been in a barn for years has new battery plugs and wires Hard to start but once I got it started it runs great had to put it in shop with heat on before it would start everything looks good and everything works but I noticed it's not positive ground previous owner put new battery in it and didn't know they were positive ground it's still stock 6volt with generator and new 6 volt battery
Should I put it to pos ground or leave it don't know if it's charging yet I disconnected everything until I find out about how it should be hooked up any help would be appreciated thank you

TheOldHokie · Dec 21, 2014

(quoted from post at 18:18:45 12/21/14) I just picked up a 49 8n had been in a barn for years has new battery plugs and wires Hard to start but once I got it started it runs great had to put it in shop with heat on before it would start everything looks good and everything works but I noticed it's not positive ground previous owner put new battery in it and didn't know they were positive ground it's still stock 6volt with generator and new 6 volt battery
Should I put it to pos ground or leave it don't know if it's charging yet I disconnected everything until I find out about how it should be hooked up any help would be appreciated thank you

As long as the battery was installed "correctly" which side of the battery is earthed matters not to anyone except the correctness police. If it charges it is installed "correctly".

TOH

Royse · Dec 21, 2014

As TOH said, it will work either way.
If it is not charging you may need to polarize the generator.
If that's the case I would put the battery back in Positive ground
before I did it. Not trying to be part of the correct police, but
that would make any literature, troubleshooting steps and/or
readings you may see for an "original" apply correctly to yours.

Fuddy Duddy · Dec 21, 2014

Would matter greatly if it had been converted and connected
backward. Hook a 12V Genny to positive ground and it's ByeBye
Genny. Might need to change or clean the points. That might help
with starting.

Grays vintage · Dec 22, 2014

Thanks guys for the help Ill tune it up and see what I've got
And put the battery back just the way it was I've ordered a bunch of stuff for this tractor so ill have a fresh start
Voltage regulator
Carb
Dist complete
Radiator
Plugs wires coil cap
Doing a fluid change everything and a flush with coolant
Ill let you know how it goes

NOXJohn · Dec 22, 2014

I would not replace the existing voltage regulator
unless the system is not charging and you track
the problem down to the existing regulator being
bad. In my experience it is difficult to find a
good new 6 volt regulator.

Grays vintage · Dec 22, 2014

(quoted from post at 04:52:22 12/22/14) I would not replace the existing voltage regulator
unless the system is not charging and you track
the problem down to the existing regulator being
bad. In my experience it is difficult to find a
good new 6 volt regulator.

Ok thank you

greywolf224 · Dec 22, 2014

Voltage regulator
Carb
Dist complete
Radiator
Plugs wires coil cap
Doing a fluid change everything and a flush with coolant

I wouldn't change anything except the fluids and the plugs and then go from there. Run it and see what you have then clean up your distributor, lube the cam in the dist set or replace the points or both. Me personally I would keep the same cap and rotor and run the engine for a bit more making sure I didn't add any problems than come back around and I really need, replace the cap and rotor. Don't replace anything else that doesnt need replacing otherwise you may introduce problems you never had.

Seems like you may have all original parts on the tractor still since it is still a 6 volt system, and the parts you ordered are more than likely after market and wont come close to original.

There are some great threads here on how to clean up and set your dist. Dell will more than likely provide input soon.
Also some great advice around your carb can be found here. I prefer keeping the original carb.

Why did you order a radiator?

Grays vintage · Dec 22, 2014

I just wanted a fresh start wanted to get everything at once
Carb is wore and dirty I will rebuild it
Cap looks cracked and wires look alittle beat up also
Radiator had been repaired in the past I just wanted new

greywolf224 · Dec 22, 2014

Understand about getting a fresh start

Carbs get real dirty but not much to wear out on them. Normally a good cleaning,over haul kit and float adjust gets you a good as new carb.

Someone that's looking for original may buy your old radiator on ebay.

Royse · Dec 22, 2014

"Cap looks cracked"

If the #2 nipple (bottom left from the front) is broke on
your distributor cap you may have a badly worn front axle pin.
If you're replacing the radiator, that's a good time to inspect
the pin and bushing.

Hobo,NC · Dec 22, 2014

Before I really fudged it up swap'N parts I would put it back to positive ground it may cure your hard starting "BTDT".... If it does add a coil to your parts list...

I like a man with "DEEP POCKETS"... Invest in a "Spark Checker" and perform a compression test to confirm the basics....

http://forums.yesterdaystractors.com/viewtopic.php?t=1170719&highlight=spark

A engine needs """FOUR''' thangs to run... Air, Fuel, Spark and Compression... Don't assume you have either check them all the parts in the world will not overrule either of the four....

1949 8n

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