Ford 8N / 2N Frankentractor???

Jeff Calder

New User
Hey folks,

Working away on my, what I was was told was a 1952 8N. Got the axles and brakes apart only to find out that the 8N brake parts I ordered to not fit my 8N, and in fact, the rear end of my tractor is a 2N. Would they have come from the manufacturer like that or am I the recipient of some sort of Frankentractor? I found the cast on the engine that says 8N, and another cast on the Axle casing that says 2N that I never noticed before. Is this common? Is there a way to figure out what year my tractor actually is? Thanks!
 
More than likely you have a 2n with an 8n engine. Does it have a 3 speed transmission or a four speed?

2n have 3 speeds. 8n have four.

The front wheels on a 2n will have a large front wheel hub.
8n's will have a small front hub.
 

It's a 4 Speed, definitely an 8N. I wouldn't have even known it was a 2N in the rear if it wasn't for the difference in brake layout and rim style.
 
It's pretty common. I find it hard to find a N that is all original as parts have been switched out over the 67+ years.
 
I bought an NAA and an 8N in pieces in June. The 8N has wheel weights on the rears and I didn't notice it had a 2N rear axle till someone pointed it out after I got them
home. Just makes it more interesting.
 
8N rear axles have brake drums that come off like your car/truck however 9/2N you need to pull the axle it's self out to get to the brakes.

I personally have a 43 2N (according to serial #) with a 8N cylinder head as well as rearend center section.
 

Sounds like I'm not alone. My parts dealer was good enough to take back the 8N brake parts and axle seals I ordered and order me the 2N versions instead... and now we wait...

Can anyone tell me if there is a way to identify the year of my tractor? Thanks!
 
Well being a mix of parts you can maybe get an idea of what year the engine is bt getting the serial number then seeing where it fit in the list of serial numbers under research and info on the left of this page.

If it is a front mount distributor 8N engine then it is a 1948 to early 1950 and if it is the side mount 5 nipple distributor then it is a late 1950 to 1952 engine
 
I have another question. I noticed that the left brake drum had nothing in it when I opened it, then I realized that there was no brake pedal connected to the left side of the tractor.

Does anyone know how the 2N brake and clutch pedals were set up? Is it a double pedal for the brake/clutch on the left?
 
The brake and clutch pedal on the 9N and 2N if I remember right are both on the same side as the clutch pedal so mounting it maybe be why parts are not there. I still have the rear end parts of a 2N around if you find you need parts. E-Mail is always open on here
 
The 2n had a brake pedal on each side of the transmission housing. The left brake was set up so if you push the clutch pedal
completely down it would also put on the brake.
The left side should have a clutch pedal and a left brake pedal side by side.
 

So here's what I have... I apparently have a 1952 8N according to the serial number... The back end, which I thought was from a 2N is actually an 8N. I found info to verify that (existence of draft control and minor changes to 3 point hitch design). But I still am having trouble with something... When we bought the tractor it had the front clutch pedal on the left, a single brake pedal on the right, and no brake pedal on the left. Not only was there no brake pedal, but the shaft that the pedal would be bolted to spun completely free... When I popped the drum open there was no brakes inside at all... and the rim and brake style is definitely off a 2N. So that leaves me with 2 questions:

1. How were the brakes set up on a 1952 8N (Pedal position)?

2. Is it possible to install the axle, drum and brake setup off a 2N onto a 8N rear end?

This has been quite a mystery. Thanks for all your insight!
 
Jeff the brake pedals and clutch are completely different between the 2n and 8n. The 2n has the pedal pivots in the back at the rear end housing. The 8n has them at the front of the transmission. The brake pedal on the 8n are both on the right. The right brake pedal still pivots at the rear. The Left brake pedal actually turns a shaft that goes through the transmission case and works a lever that pulls the left brake rod. On the left side you should have a brake shaft going from the hub back to the rear end at the transmission. There is a short lever there that the rod hooks to pull the brakes to work.

Also look at the brake drum setup. The 2N has a completely different rear wheel and hub.



First picture Ford 8N Right side
Second picture Ford 8N clutch side.
Third picture Ford 2N clutch side.
a236431.jpg

a236432.jpg

a236433.jpg
 

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