converting from 6 volt to 12 volt and electronic ignition

I have converted my 47 ford 8n tractor to a 12 volt system.

I am interested in converting it to electronic ignition as well.

Question: Is this a good idea. and what is the recommended parts needed.
 
Bob........yeah, the 4-nipple front dizzy is sumb*tch to change points on. As fer parts, most people buy the Pertronix kit. ...but... would it surprize you to learn the points (0.015) will last fer at least 8-yrs before they need replacing? Remember, the 8N issza 2200rpm low compression engine that doesn't need HOT sparkies of electronic ignition. Recommend AutoLite 437's gapped 0.025. ...BTW...you do know the 4-nipple dizzy was designed to have the points replaced on the kitchen table, don't you? ........HTH, the amazed Dell
 
I bought a Pertronix kit from this site and installed it on my 9N. It made a wonderful difference in starting as it was a bit finicky before. It was not the easiest to install but definitely worth it.
 
Dell doesn't like 12 volt conversions either. And contrary to what he claims most often a person will wind up pulling, cleaning and gapping the points at least once a year. As to how long points will last? Who knows, depends on the user. Got one you run 10-20 hours a week? No those points are not going to last 8 years!

I converted one of mine. I'm going to convert the other one too.

Rick
 
(quoted from post at 12:45:20 04/27/16) I have converted my 47 ford 8n tractor to a 12 volt system.

I am interested in converting it to electronic ignition as well.

Question: Is this a good idea. and what is the recommended parts needed.

I have an EI unit that I ran until the fiber cam gear bit the dust and it was removed and placed on the shelf . I never had a problem with it .

I have used the other 8n for the last 6 years to keep half of this 100 acres bush hogged . That's a lot of hours on a set of points without any maintenance .

I am not an electrical guru but I know points do not like excessive current . All of my N's have had the square coil gutted and a 3-1/4 ohm (14v) round can coil added with zero problem in the ignition system .

I do not know what the coil resistance (ohms) means to an EI unit (switch) . Maybe someone here can tell us the importance of resistance in an EI unit is . Too much and your spark would be weak , but I don't know the perimeters .
 
(quoted from post at 19:24:09 04/27/16)
(quoted from post at 12:45:20 04/27/16) I have converted my 47 ford 8n tractor to a 12 volt system.

I am interested in converting it to electronic ignition as well.

Question: Is this a good idea. and what is the recommended parts needed.

I have an EI unit that I ran until the fiber cam gear bit the dust and it was removed and placed on the shelf . I never had a problem with it .

I have used the other 8n for the last 6 years to keep half of this 100 acres bush hogged . That's a lot of hours on a set of points without any maintenance .

I am not an electrical guru but I know points do not like excessive current . All of my N's have had the square coil gutted and a 3-1/4 ohm (14v) round can coil added with zero problem in the ignition system .

I do not know what the coil resistance (ohms) means to an EI unit (switch) . Maybe someone here can tell us the importance of resistance in an EI unit is . Too much and your spark would be weak , but I don't know the perimeters .
t, like everything in life, depends (like diapers). Some high end EI units (Mallory MSD 0.7 Ohms) use fraction of an Ohm coils & can handle large currents, but Pertronix units for N tractors state in the installation instruction sheets that the minimum is 3 Ohms. Now, if you speak to their tech-line guy, he will tell you different.........so you pays you money & take your chances. Personally, I suspect that someone got lazy & used common paragraph for both 6 and 12v sheets and that it ought to be 1.5 minimum for 6v. I'm looking at the sheets..........but I just report, you decide. :wink:
 
Alot of it depends on the skill of the maintainer.

My weekly lawnmower has the same points I put I it 6 ys ago. My hay mover has the points in it I bought it with even longer..
 
Skill?
It takes no skill to maintain points.
It takes patience.
Get up to your land for the first time since hunting season thinking you re going to jump on the tractor and do some plowing and disking for deer plots.
But first you have to pull that bloody front mount distributer off and "wipe the invisible corrosion off the points".
Then it might start and run all summer just fine.
You might do that same routine for Fifteen years on a set of points.
Or install EI in it and Never touch the points again.
 
Points are not the high maintenance item some people want you to believe. I change the points in my 9n last year. They were 13
years old and were still working.I do not adjust my points after I install them.

Dad had a 1967 Ford Ranger with a 352 engine. He converted it to EI. It did not start any easier or faster. Used the same amount
of fuel. Could not see any difference. The EI burned out in 94 after being in the truck for 11 years. He put points back in it. He
sold the old Ford last year and it still had the same set of 21 year old points in it.

You can change your tractor if you want. For every guy that says do it there will be one that says don't do it.
 
What it really boils down to is it's your money! No one besides your wife has any say in what you do with it as long as it's legal! I happen to like EI and the fact that I don't have to mess with that stupid front mount dizzy ever again. I did put new bushings in it while I had it out to install the EI unit.

Rick
 
I got a 8N that I rebuilt from a pile of scrap I about 6 7 yeaers ago. I convert to 12 volts this past winter becasue the generator was shot and I had a good 12 volt battery sitting around. I have been running the same set of points all that time and have not looked at them. They do just happen to be in a magneto and it sure does work mighty fine.
 

I luv EI I get paid well to properly convert one,,, drag it over to my shop with a pocket full of 100 dollar bills... :D If you have the mechanical ability its a nice up-grade if you don't you can join the other Tractor guru EI haters that don't..

I have more tools than the law allows with the experience to go with them, I still hate a P.O.S front mount distributor you have my condolences...

I don't have a kitchen table in my shop maybe I should get one to ease the pane when I have to deal with a P.O.S. ft mt dist... :lol:
 
(quoted from post at 18:48:55 04/27/16)
I luv EI I get paid well to properly convert one,,, drag it over to my shop with a pocket full of 100 dollar bills... :D If you have the mechanical ability its a nice up-grade if you don't you can join the other Tractor guru EI haters that don't..

I have more tools than the law allows with the experience to go with them, I still hate a P.O.S front mount distributor you have my condolences...

I don't have a kitchen table in my shop maybe I should get one to ease the pane when I have to deal with a P.O.S. ft mt dist... :lol:

:shock: Dang! That's the secret! I've always doe mine on a bench! :lol: :lol:

Rick
 


Changing points on a front mount can be very relaxing on about 45 days of the year , then other 320 days and it is not too pleasant of a job .
, but then I do have a nice shade tree by the pond .
 
45? If you need to do it even one day a year, something is wrong that needs to be fixed.
 
love these debates.
I remember my first front mount.
hmmm, very interesting 30-40's design..smart fellas.
..As I was taking stuff off to throw in the scrap heap :D

12v, alternator, a little mod to run an external round coil...there, much better.
I did add EI to one I was going to keep, and actually use.
Why? simple...EI is better. We can debate all we want..doesn't change nothin...Electronic Ignition is better.
But they [i:44dc01eda9]all[/i:44dc01eda9] got 12v, alt, and an external round coil.

to the poster, read everything, take your time, think ahead, it's all easy.
Water and electricity use the same terms for a reason...follow the flow.
 
to me it would depend on why you want to change it over, i have both, my ford is 12 volt for 2 reasons, first when i bought it had already been started, th ep/o got lost on the project and i finished it, it also runs 12 volt electrical equipment, on the other hand my other 3 old tractors are 6 volt, and as long as everything is kept clean brite and tite, they have no starting issues any time of year, a lot of people get talked into it by people who arnt used to hearing a 6 volt system fire up, they are slower spinning then a 12 volt, so they think the have a problem and 12 volt will fix it, none of mine are electronic ignition, and never will be, these old tractors have worked just fine with points style ignition for 60 to 70 years, and we know the stuff made overseas especially electric stuff is a roll of the dice as to weather it will last,, if it quits your done, with points, if they stop, after many years of operation, you grab the spare set, put them in and are back on the job in 30 to 45 minutes , about the time to do that and eat a sandwich, my big tractor is a 24 volt diesel, so we wont go there
 

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