spark plugs for 8N

Chuck123

New User
On this forum I have seen the questions like "what brand spark plugs do you use." Do 8N tractors run better on a
specific spark plug? If so what brand and number.
 
Based on a recommendation from Old I now use "NGK 3112 (B-4l). I still have and use the Autolite 437, but the NGKs in my 8N seem to be a tiny bit better.
 
I would assume you need a hotter plug today than years ago since our fuel is so much different than the fuel of yesterday,

I only run non ethanol fuel, but who knows how much longer it will be available
 
And yesterday's gas that left lead deposits all over the valves and sparkplugs was BETTER? LOL!
 
I put Champion H12 in my 9n when I bought it in 1999. I overhauled the engine in 06. The plugs looked good so I reused them. They have not been out of the engine since.
 

It would be interesting to read the lie he told you about how he has been using NGK plugs for years... Don't worry yourself looking up that post he could not spell NGK till I posted the NGK number for a N.. :lol:
 
Welcome to the forum Chuck.
Are you having problems with fouling or just looking to replace?
If yours are still working I would clean/regap them and put them back in.
If you are having problems with fouling that may be an indication
of engine trouble rather than a fault of the spark plugs.

I have Autolite 437 in most of mine. Supposedly the same heat
range as Champion H12. Autolite 216 in some. Supposedly the
same as Champion H10. I have AC Delco plugs in one because it
came with them. I have one that the plugs were painted over so
I don't know what they are. I also have some with Champions in
them and NGK's in my bikes. They all seem to run just fine.

If you are having specific issues with your tractor the guys here
can help with that. As far as spark plug brand, pick your poison.
None of them have impressed me over the others lately.

I would still recommend buying them from a parts store in
a box as opposed to a blister pack from Walmart, etc.
Supposedly they are treated with a little more respect that way.
 
This tractor was the 1950 8N that had not been started for at least 15 years. I got it started and after some warm
up time and letting the smoke clear, I drove it around the yard and it started missing and died. It would not fire at
all but still had spark. I had already replaced the points and rotor button. So now I replaced the distributor cap
and condensor. NAPA did not have the correct Autolite plugs so went to AutoZone and bought NGK plugs. It had
MotorCraft plugs in it. I don't even know if they still make MotorCraft plugs. After I put the distributor back on
and the new plugs in, it started right up and runs perfectly but does smoke a little. Needs valve job and rings but
is holding pretty good oil pressure for an old worn tractor. 17lb at idle and 42 at 3/4 trottle. My 1952 N has been
hard to start lately. I looked at the plugs to see what it has in it. It has Champion 10. I went back to autozone
and bought NGK plugs for it. I will put them in tomorrow and see if it helps the start problem.
 
Congrats on the 1950. Working it may clear the smoke some.
Running some ATF through it may help too.
That oil pressure wouldn't scare me.

New plugs for the other one may help if it has old plugs.
"Working" plugs are worth keeping as spares though.
Have you checked the spark and compression on that one?
 
My '41 9n has a set of Champion H-10s that have been in there for about 6-7 years. I have checked and cleaned them a few times,though they weren't very dirty. It starts easily even after sitting for a few months.
 
No Royse I have not checked compression on the other N. That one we have had in the family since early 1960's. It
has never used oil or smoked and holds about 45 oil pressure. I put the NGK plugs in and it starts easier but I have
some carb work to do. I have to have the choke about 3/4 closed for it to run smooth. I can turn the mixture screw
on the side of the carb all the way in and way out with no change in the tractors running. I guess I will pull the
carb off tonight or tomorrow and see if something is clogged.
 
NEWS FLASH - Platinum plugs available for 8N NAA JUBLEE AND ALL OTHERS that can use the AL437. AL427 is good for most standard coils however potentially overheating with prolonged eg- all day in 90 deg. with heavy pull. Heat equals cylinder wear. There is a spark plug cross reference website that will show about 20 equivalents for the AL437. For most gentle farming no issue. From an extensive Autolite plug comparison chart I found two platinum plugs with proper thread size that would FIT ford tractors. I put a set in my Jubilee with a 3/8" reach depth vs the AL437s 7/16" reach depth to insure no contact with pistons. Brilliant- instant spark even with over rich fuel soot I purposely let accumulate on the plug. Have 40 hrs on them with standard coil. Now, I bought a set of ford platiums AP425 that has a 1/2" reach thinking I would shim the plugs with a 1/16" washer spacer. Remarkably the electrode of the AP425 is shorter resulting in an overall shorter reach than the AL437s. And difference is visible when put ends to ends. The AP425 measured .060" shorter than the AL435. If you are unsure use a spacer washer with each plug- common washers from any hardware store. Longer life, much less gap erosion and they can handle all the voltage you want to put through them. Works in my two tractors.
 
If you are having problems with fouling that may be an indication
of engine trouble rather than a fault of the spark plugs.

I have Autolite 437 in most of mine. Supposedly the same heat
range as Champion H12. Autolite 216 in some. Supposedly the
same as Champion H10. I have AC Delco plugs in one because it
came with them. I have one that the plugs were painted over so
I don't know what they are. I also have some with Champions in
them and NGK's in my bikes. They all seem to run just fine.
If you are having specific issues with your tractor the guys here
can help with that. As far as spark plug brand, pick your poison.
None of them have impressed me over the others lately.

I'm with Royce. If you service and maintain your tractor, spark plugs aren't going to give you alot of problems.
There is a YouTube video out there that claims that installing a certain plug wil solve all problems. Ridiculous!
When you buy any new machine, it comes with a maintenance schedule. For some reason, some people think that Ns just "run forever" and don't conduct maintenance.
Our 2N & 8N,("The Junk Pile") run perfectly. But not due to total neglect.
 
(quoted from post at 22:36:11 10/07/22)
If you are having problems with fouling that may be an indication
of engine trouble rather than a fault of the spark plugs.

I have Autolite 437 in most of mine. Supposedly the same heat
range as Champion H12. Autolite 216 in some. Supposedly the
same as Champion H10. I have AC Delco plugs in one because it
came with them. I have one that the plugs were painted over so
I don't know what they are. I also have some with Champions in
them and NGK's in my bikes. They all seem to run just fine.
If you are having specific issues with your tractor the guys here
can help with that. As far as spark plug brand, pick your poison.
None of them have impressed me over the others lately.

I'm with Royce. If you service and maintain your tractor, spark plugs aren't going to give you alot of problems.
There is a YouTube video out there that claims that installing a certain plug wil solve all problems. Ridiculous!
When you buy any new machine, it comes with a maintenance schedule. For some reason, some people think that Ns just "run forever" and don't conduct maintenance.
Our 2N & 8N,("The Junk Pile") run perfectly. But not due to total neglect.
ours is one of , maybe a few, that does not sound like a lot of near closing time 'bar talk'.
 
(quoted from post at 17:45:15 08/17/16) Autolite 437

My 8N52 burns a little oil and I change out my plugs a couple times each year. I use 437s and a gippo cheap spark plug cleaner. Just mowed the lower pasture. The Old Girl seems to like the recycled sparks.
 

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