1956 Ford 8n will not fire

lynnard

New User
Ok where to start my mother asked me to work on their tractor a 56 8n and it was missing several parts from someone who rigged it some how to run. It has front mount distributor and they didnt have a top coil they had added a round coil and its been converted to a 12v system anyway long story. I order all new parts top mount coil, points, condensor, rotary button, new plugs, distributor cap and a resistor block. And it will not fire. I am a decent mechanic but i am struggling bad scratching my head why it wont fire. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks
 
I had the same thing couple years ago. kept scratching my head until I realized I had put the condenser wire on the wrong side which I think grounded it out.
 
First of all, there's no such thing as "1956 8N".

And, going back farther, the last "front distributor" 8N was made in mid 1950.
 
As Bob said no such thing as a 1956 8N. Being a front mount it is a 1948 to early 1950 as in before May of 1950.

Points need to be set at 0.015. Doubled check that you do not have the condenser wire shorted to the case and that the points open to 0.015 on all four lobe of the distributor cam
 
(quoted from post at 16:20:23 03/02/18) As Bob said no such thing as a 1956 8N. Being a front mount it is a 1948 to early 1950 as in before May of 1950.

Points need to be set at 0.015. Doubled check that you do not have the condenser wire shorted to the case and that the points open to 0.015 on all four lobe of the distributor cam

Sorry mistyped on year model it is a 1948 model. So the condenser isn't wired to ground screw is it supposed to be under small that ties points together?
 
Yes condenser if hooked to the non ground side of the points. A condenser is a buffer for the spark at the points and works such to keep the points from being burned real fast.
 
(quoted from post at 16:41:24 03/02/18) Yes condenser if hooked to the non ground side of the points. A condenser is a buffer for the spark at the points and works such to keep the points from being burned real fast.


Thank you that is probably my problem I appreciate your help.
 
While your working on it be sure to check that the points open to the 0.015 on all 4 lobes or it will not run right if at all. Had one I worked on last summer that I could not set tot point to open to the 0.015 on any of the lobes and it would not start and run. New distributor and it fired up so fast I could not get my finger off the started button fast enough.
 
(quoted from post at 17:04:58 03/02/18) While your working on it be sure to check that the points open to the 0.015 on all 4 lobes or it will not run right if at all. Had one I worked on last summer that I could not set tot point to open to the 0.015 on any of the lobes and it would not start and run. New distributor and it fired up so fast I could not get my finger off the started button fast enough.

Thanks for info that maybe some of problem also ill check all that this afternoon.
 
Always happy to help and that is also why I leave my e-mail open so people can e-mail me or even call me. I've had a good many people call me over the years because some times it is easier to talk a problem out on the phone then it is here
 
Ok update on 48 8n I swapped where condenser went to and checked gap opening on points on all lobes of distributor they were all fairly close one love was a little tighter than others. But still no fire. I checked voltage to coil and it's @9volts but nothing going to plugs. I'm thinking my next move is a new distributor. What is the overall opinion good option or not?
 
Was that voltage with the points open or closed?? Either way it sounds like you need to clean the points. With the points closed you should get almost no voltage and with them open you should get full battery voltage
 
(quoted from post at 21:37:55 03/02/18) Was that voltage with the points open or closed?? Either way it sounds like you need to clean the points. With the points closed you should get almost no voltage and with them open you should get full battery voltage

I didn't take cap off to check that but the points are new just put them in since I've been working on tractor. I figure if was 9v because of the resistor it goes through from ignition goes to resistor then to coil. Everything electrical is new but the distributor. I got the resistor because someone told me 12v would burn up coil that it only took 8 or 9v to crank tractor.
 
I need to ask, just to be sure, you are taking the distributor off to work on it?

You will be able to set the points, and check the points with an ohm meter or test light and a battery with
the distributor on the bench.

Once it is going through the motions, it can be reinstalled knowing that part is right.
 
(quoted from post at 22:53:24 03/02/18) I need to ask, just to be sure, you are taking the distributor off to work on it?

You will be able to set the points, and check the points with an ohm meter or test light and a battery with
the distributor on the bench.

Once it is going through the motions, it can be reinstalled knowing that part is right.

Ok I'm sorry to ask this but would you mind to explain how I can check it and yes I have been taking it out to work on it or check it.
 
If using an ohm meter, with everything assembled, connect one lead to the metal case of the distributor,
the other lead to the ignition lead of the coil.

Turn the shaft and watch the meter. The meter should show open circuit with the points open, continuity
when the points close.

If the reading is always open, the points are not making contact, or there is an open connection in the
wiring or coil.

If the reading is always showing continuity, there is a short to ground.

You could even temporary power from the battery to the coil, ground the case. Put a jumper wire from the
case to just above any cap terminal, then turn the distributor and watch each terminal fire. Be careful,
you might get a jolt too!
 
Even new points can be dirty and need to be cleaned. Or if you got he points at some place like TSC they can be bad from the get go.
 
(quoted from post at 23:40:48 03/02/18) Even new points can be dirty and need to be cleaned. Or if you got he points at some place like TSC they can be bad from the get go.


Thank you for all your help i will check it like that.
 

Tractor guru I've got a question I checked distributor today like you told me and it would have continuity after first lobe closed points then it would lose it when they opened, but it wouldn't have continuity again no matter how many times I turned it. So I ordered a distributor today. That's all I could come up with it losing continuity and not recovering after first turn of distributor. What do you think would have caused that?
 
Points need to be cleaned or you need new one that are good not TSC points. Points should make and break each time they open but if dirty can do just as your are doing
 

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