backfiring ford 8n

smeagol

New User
I have real problems. Since my ford 8n would show no spark when trying to start, I put in a new coil and new distributor and finally got it to run. The engine purred, running better than it ever had. I was brush hogging in tall grass when the engine backfire 3 times and quit running. Now it won't start and it sounds as it did when it was getting no spark.

What have I done wrong? I really don't want to tear the distributor apart if I don't need to. By the way, I am not mechanically inclined.
 
I'm not a Ford guy, but since you mentioned that you changed the distributor, the first place that I would look is the distributor to make sure that its not advanced or retarded. Advanced, firing through the carb on the intake stroke. Retarded, firing through the exhaust on the exhaust stroke. That part is pretty simple. Was running good, now not. Distributor loose maybe and rotated one way or the other? That's where I'd look first.

Mark
 
Front or side mount distributor? Front 9N 1939 to 8N November of 1950.Side mount from November '50 to end of 8N production.
 
You didn't say if it was a side mount or front,if a side I would suspect the dist. was loose
and rotated to cause the backfire,maybe a weed or something caught it and rotated it,if it
was running good before it's something simple like that or a wire pulled off.
 
Almost bet the point have slopped due to a hold down screw coming loose. Back fire happened due to the point gap changing
 
I'll throw my .02 in. If it purred,
then backfired and quit the brand new
shiny condenser could be bad. While
you are checking the point gap it
wouldn't hurt to put a condenser in.
 
Another thing it could be is the distributor cap. They can get a hairline crack and crossfire causing the problem with backfiring.
 

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Back
Top