Issue with correct front wheel bearing seals

Milo12565 · Aug 10, 2018

Hey guys...brand spanking new to the world of old Ford tractors and this forum.

I have, however been a hardcore gearhead and auto mechanic for 40+ years so I do have some grease under my nails.

Anyway, I have inherited my grandfather's 1948 8N and am in the process of reviving it. I am having issues with the front wheel bearing grease seals. I ordered wheel bearing kits and the seals that came with them aren't right. They dont even fit inside the hubs (too small). I contacted the seller with exact dimensions of my spindle and hubs and he says they sound like NAA stuff.
I know this is a 1948 model because this tractor has been in the family since new.
Fast forward...I've researched and I cant seem to find a seal with the correct ID Im looking for which would fit a 1.562" shoulder on the spindle. Am I thinking wrong? Does a tractor seal not ride directly on the spindle shoulder like a car?

pinball · Aug 10, 2018

I think you need to put the serial number on here and a photo of it. I bought a 52 8n from a friend he said he dad bought it new in 52. well it was a 50 model. when I told him that he said I was wrong. does it have a round medallion on the front. people here can look at a photo and tell you what it is. you can look up the serial number here on this site tp tell you what it is. Most parts people will tell you to get the serial number before ordering parts. look on the engine left side behind the oil filter for an 8n. naa look right behind the starter on the housing. good luck. also if you have the serial number there is a place in mexico Missouri called walts tractors. they sell new parts for the old ford tractors, extremely knowledgeable, very good prices and the ship all over the usa. They run there business on there farm. you can find there number on the net. good luck

shaun wallace · Aug 10, 2018

The seal NAA 1190 rubs on face of spindle not the round like autos do. The 202784 seal goes on spindle with lip to spindle. It keeps dirt out not grease in.

Jim L WA · Aug 10, 2018

Hi Milo, welcome to our world of old Ford tractors. I have a 2N and a NAA. Both use the same seal part number. See my post below, with the subject, "Question for Bruce or anyone". Where did you get the bearing kit from?

Milo12565 · Aug 10, 2018

(quoted from post at 06:05:22 08/10/18) I think you need to put the serial number on here and a photo of it. I bought a 52 8n from a friend he said he dad bought it new in 52. well it was a 50 model. when I told him that he said I was wrong. does it have a round medallion on the front. people here can look at a photo and tell you what it is. you can look up the serial number here on this site tp tell you what it is. Most parts people will tell you to get the serial number before ordering parts. look on the engine left side behind the oil filter for an 8n. naa look right behind the starter on the housing. good luck. also if you have the serial number there is a place in mexico Missouri called walts tractors. they sell new parts for the old ford tractors, extremely knowledgeable, very good prices and the ship all over the usa. They run there business on there farm. you can find there number on the net. good luck

I'm dead sure it isn't a Jubilee. Serial# 8N50608 Engine cast date B28. Although the tractor has been around longer than I have (I'm 52) it's been part of the family all my life and my dad is still alive and remembers when his dad bought it.

Milo12565 · Aug 10, 2018

Milo12565 · Aug 10, 2018

Milo12565 · Aug 10, 2018

JMOR · Aug 10, 2018

" Am I thinking wrong? Does a tractor seal not ride directly on the spindle shoulder like a car?" You are thinking wrong. Shawn Wallace gave you the answer.

Milo12565 · Aug 10, 2018

(quoted from post at 06:25:20 08/10/18) The seal NAA 1190 rubs on face of spindle not the round like autos do. The 202784 seal goes on spindle with lip to spindle. It keeps dirt out not grease in.

Thanks for the clarification

Royse · Aug 10, 2018

Welcome to the forum Milo.
I would agree with your assessment, it's an early 8N. '48~49.
Those front hubs are not 8N though. They are earlier 9N/2N hubs.
I don't believe that makes a difference on your seals, but the bolt
pattern on the 8N hubs and rims were 6 bolt and far smaller.

8N I just finished.

9N 16 inch rims

My old 9N. Notice the rear rim/hub difference from an 8N.

Milo12565 · Aug 10, 2018

(quoted from post at 19:57:22 08/10/18) Welcome to the forum Milo.
I would agree with your assessment, it's an early 8N. '48~49.
Those front hubs are not 8N though. They are earlier 9N/2N hubs.
I don't believe that makes a difference on your seals, but the bolt
pattern on the 8N hubs and rims were 6 bolt and far smaller.

8N I just finished.

9N 16 inch rims

My old 9N. Notice the rear rim/hub difference from an 8N.

Your tractor is a beauty.

I ran the date codes on mine and it was built in February 1948...fairly early 8N. Ford probably still had 2N parts left or didn't change wheel designs until after my tractor was built. I know the life history of this one and those are the wheels and hubs it was born with.

Milo12565 · Aug 10, 2018

Forget my last statement...I was possibly mistaken.
I talked with my Dad and he's not sure if there ever was a hub swap. I checked date codes on the hubs and they were cast in 1944...so that would be for the 2N correct?

I know when it came to Ford cars, it was common for them to use up last year model's parts early in a build run. Is there any chance that they did the same with tractors?

Royse · Aug 10, 2018

"I checked date codes on the hubs and they were cast in 1944...so that would be for the 2N correct?"

Yes, that would be correct. No worries, they will work fine.
If you changed them now you would have to get different rims too.
Probably more important to focus on bringing it back to life.

Milo12565 · Aug 10, 2018

I appreciate your input. I'm leaving the hubs and wheels as-is...they've been on it as long as I can remember.
I'm bringing it back to life to use so I'm not concerned with concourse correctness.

12shortcut · Sep 10, 2018

Where does the seal achieve its seal? On the smooth horizontal surface of the spindle just beyond the inner race shoulder? or the smooth vertical surface yet more inward? I just replaced the front wheel bearings on my 52-8N. Actually the right side so far. Got kits to do it. As I was slipping the hub into position it appeared the seal was too large for the spindle, by about 1/16" all around. Also, does the seal need to be seated fully until it "bottoms out" on the small shoulder, or should it be flush with the end of the hub? The book FO-4 is not helpful regarding the seals.

Dollar Bill · Sep 10, 2018

As Shaun and Royce indicated, the front wheel bearings, races, hub nuts, washers, and seals are all the same for 9/2/8N and NAA but there are two different seal designs. One is a dust seal and seals against vertical surface of the spindle where the other is a grease seal and contacts the horizontal surface of the spindle.

If you have a dust seal, it should only be installed up to the recess that is machined into the hub.

Issue with correct front wheel bearing seals

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