need advice on which pancake distributor to buy

I've decided to buy a new distributor for my front-mount 8N. So do you guys think I would be happier with the stock-looking unit that is available on this site, compared to the kind that doesn't look completely stock and is advertised on ebay.com?

Thanks a lot for the advice.

what distributor are you finding on ebay that looks different?

I'm wasn't aware of any redesign

I didn't know there was another distributor that would fit a front mount.

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but this one doesn't look quite stock to me, and I'm just wondering how its quality would be:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/9N12100-New-Ford-Tractor-Front-Mount-Distributor-2N-8N-9N-/231375886030?hash=item35df13d6ce:m:mrWqJSosC3_EJOaG1PBk9CQ

Thanks again.

Wonder if original parts will fit?

Zane

Zane, ha, ha, I take it you are saying that the distributor available on this site is an original part and the one on ebay is not?

I don't know much about replacement distributors!

You are aware, I hope, that in this day of "almost right" parts from overseas, replacing parts is as likely to be the cause of grief as the cure. Electrics especially!

Fix or have fixed the old ones, if you possibly can.

(quoted from post at 11:48:27 02/10/16) Zane, ha, ha, I take it you are saying that the distributor available on this site is an original part and the one on ebay is not?

I don't know much about replacement distributors!

Click to expand...

f 'new', neither will be original parts!

Looks exactly the same as any of the front mount distributors I have ever seen. At last count, I have seven Fords with front mount distributors. What is different to your eyes? Having bought new replacement parts made overseas, I have always been disappointed with the quality and fit. If I needed a 'new' front mount dist, I would buy a used one and rebuild it.

I would love to fix my old distributor, but it has too much end play in its shaft and needs both front and rear bushings and a new shaft because the lobes are pretty worn.

When you have too much end play, the lobes on the shaft move into an "unworn" position when the distributor rotates, so the points adjustment changes and the rubbing block hangs up. It would cost much more to fix it than to buy a new one.

So you guys really don't like the replacement distributors that are available?

Please edumacate me. I apologize if this has been discussed many times before. Maybe you could point me to a thread discussing the subject?

Thanks!

I?ve been working on old cars, trucks & tractors now for over 50 years. Whenever possible, I get OEM component parts rebuilt. Given the high probability that any new component part purchased for an N tractor is made somewhere overseas w/o adequate quality control, chances are very good that you will be disappointed.

" I would love to fix my old distributor, but it has too much end play in its shaft and needs both front and rear bushings and a new shaft because the lobes are pretty worn."

So?

Repair it.

These guys should be able to help you w/ used parts:

John Smith smith8NATatt.net

Rod Mondor fltractorATpeoplepc.com


Replace the AT in the address w/ @

Rod forest lake tractor 651 464 4628


There are three ways to replace the bushings in a front distributor:

1. Buy new bushings (part numbers 9N12120 front & 18-12132 rear). Press out the old ones, press in the new ones and ream to fit. CAUTION: do not try this unless you have a press & know how to use it. If you break the base, a new one costs $130. If you bend the tower which holds the front bushing, a new plate will cost you $30.

2. Take the new bushings and distributor to your local machine shop.

3. Send the distributor out for bushing replacement if you do not have a local machine shop.

Make sure your distributor isn?t worn out; check the wear parts with a micrometer and compare what you have to the factory specs (below).

Factory Specs:
Shaft top .4367 / .4370
Shaft Bottom .8625 / .8630
Cam Flats .789 / .791
Cam Lobes .869 / .871
Base Tang .177 / .178
75 Tips

This should be the point where I cunningly buy the old distributor from you for a song, but instead I'll add one more bit of advice: save the old distributor in case the new one doesn't work, or in case you or the next owner of the tractor ever wants to make it as original as possible.

(quoted from post at 17:45:23 02/10/16) I would love to fix my old distributor, but it has too much end play in its shaft and needs both front and rear bushings and a new shaft because the lobes are pretty worn.

Click to expand...

in addition to the parts places mentioned, there are a couple sellers on ebay that tear down tractors every week.(OEM is always better)
When I had front mounts, I'd put in a low bid on every distributor I saw. I ended up with a few spares.
Re-do an extra one...complete, and have it on the shelf waiting.
5 minute swap of the whole works was much better than messing with it, when I needed the tractor.....[b:819bc5f6fd]now[/b:819bc5f6fd].

If you are talking about a pancake distributor like on my GMC truck, NOW WAY ! I have to replace mine about every 2 years. Moisture shorts out the spark. Stay with the OEM design.