1948 8N steering gear - searching

My father-in-law recently bought an older '48 8N that uses the older style steering assembly.

The steering gear sectors (Left and Right )- (8N3527A and 8N3526A) are both shot and are in need of replacement. We've talked with the local Ford dealers, All States Ag, and a few others - no luck.

Any recommendations on where to look to find these parts? I see the more modern (post 1949) parts are available on this site, but they don't fit - also tried this.

Any help on where to find these would be much appreciated.

Thanks,

Tool.
 
(quoted from post at 12:36:36 06/02/15) Replace entire assembly with newer style from a salvage yard.
Based on that, what other components are going to be "gotchas" on this older 8N? Would we be better off, selling it and buying a more modern 8N?
 
I don't know what things will be different if you put a new style steering box on.
Others here can tell you.
But if you arent emotionally attached to that tractor and can part with it then yes sell it.
But don't buy another N.
Look for a 600, 801, 2000, 3000, etc instead.
Just having live hydraulics is a huge improvement, to say nothing of the other features you will gain.
 
Dennis Carpenter has the parts you need. Or replace it with the later version. You will also need to replace the dash if you do so.
 
(quoted from post at 19:06:56 06/02/15) Dennis Carpenter has the parts you need. Or replace it with the later version. You will also need to replace the dash if you do so.
Harold, aren't the drag links different too?
Seems like I read once that you can swap them from side to side
and they will work though? This is my poor memory at work! LOL

ToolGarage, check out John Smith's website HERE.
Look under used parts to see if he has the parts listed, or a whole
steering gear box maybe. If he doesn't have it listed, contact him.
He may have one or a line on one. Even if he doesn't, he's a
wealth of knowledge and a great guy to boot!

Other than the side mount distributor on the later model 8N, you
won't gain much going to a newer model 8N over the earlier IMHO.
Newer machines obviously have more refinements.
Some can be had in a similar price range as well.
 
Have you removed and inspected the sectors from the box? I thought mine (early 48) were shot before I took the box apart, but on removal found them to be in good condition and only needed to
replace the bushings and the seals and adjust the free play out. Having said that the box was a bear to do and it took three times assemble/disassemble to get the leaks all eliminated, but I learned a
lot. One area to pay attention to is the splines for the arms, they can be in good condition, but with the chrome worn away so copper under plating shows. That seems like no big deal but it will
require that the arm goes on much further to seat fully with no wobble, so it is worth getting that re-chromed if the sector is in otherwise useful condition.
 
(quoted from post at 19:18:37 06/03/15) Have you removed and inspected the sectors from the box? I thought mine (early 48) were shot before I took the box apart, but on removal found them to be in good condition and only needed to
replace the bushings and the seals and adjust the free play out. Having said that the box was a bear to do and it took three times assemble/disassemble to get the leaks all eliminated, but I learned a
lot. One area to pay attention to is the splines for the arms, they can be in good condition, but with the chrome worn away so copper under plating shows. That seems like no big deal but it will
require that the arm goes on much further to seat fully with no wobble, so it is worth getting that re-chromed if the sector is in otherwise useful condition.

Whoever had the tractor previously shimmed the spline with razor blades..... both shafts definitely need replacing.
 
You might try John Smith, he used to rebuild those boxes, he might have a set of sectors. I've wondered about using some 0.001" shim stock to make up for minor wear on the splines-sounds like someone tried it.
 

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