1949 8N Starter Push Button Replacement

Higgybear

New User
Hey, Im new to this Forum, also Brand new owner of a 1949 Ford 8N. My question is about the starter button.

Can I use an after market push button starter switch? Im guessing the factory works off ground? The current one on the tractor is pretty rough shape.

Thanks in Advance
 
NOT sure if you are asking about taking the neutral-safety tranny-top starter switch out of service and installing a separate starter pushbutton, or if you simply want to replace the OEM button with a new one?

HOPE you are asking about the latter.
 
Hey thanks for the fast reply, Im thinking of replacing the factory with an non OEM. The previous owner felt it necessary to put several holes in the "Dash" area or where the gauges are. So I need to replace what is there now. So was thinking of filling a hole with a modern push button. The current starter button is hit or miss when it works.

Hope that clears it up?
 
Ford was way ahead of the competition in having a neutral safety starting switch.

I personally would NOT defeat that safety feature.

Why do you think you need to?
 
Fill your holes with a plug or grommet. Dont get rid of the oem start switch, replace if necessary. You could seriously hurt your self or someone else.
 
The current starter button is hit or miss when it works.
Wiser heads than mine will prevail, but the starter button serves an important purpose. My suggestion is to determine why it is not working correctly.

Understanding your desire to modernize your dash, if I were doing it I would retain a keyed switch instead of a push button switch. Otherwise starting would be awkward.
 
Hi Higgybear, welcome to the forum. Your 8N has a starter relay that the starter button energizes. Yes, the button provides ground to the relay. Before you get into replacing the button, how ever you want to do it. Check first that the relay isn't at fault. With the tractor in neutral, take a jumper wire from a good clean ground source and touch it to the small terminal on the relay. Or you can take a volt meter hooked from battery to that terminal and push the button to see if it is sending ground to the relay. If you find the button is bad for sure, please head the advice from the others, and replace the OEM button.
 
Welcome to the forum!
You are correct in that it provides ground to the solenoid.
That solenoid is different from automotive solenoids in that respect.

The push button also provides a neutral safety switch, which is
pretty valuable in many situations, but to answer your question,
yes, you can simply replace it with a push button, bypassing the
neutral safety feature. You can also make them key start like a car.

If you choose to replace the switch, YT sells them at this [b:031149ddc8]Link[/b:031149ddc8]
So do many other sellers. Online as well as local.
You need to pull the transmission top cover to replace it, as there
is a nut on the bottom side that is staked on by a bent washer.
So you will need a new gasket for the transmission cover.
And be careful not to loose the little ball and spring under the
tab at the back of the top cover. Other than that, it's an easy job.

Before I went to that trouble with one that worked intermittently,
I would disconnect the battery cable, spray cleaner up under
the cap of the switch and work it up and down several times.
Let it dry, then do it again. Lather, rinse repeat.
Once it has completely dried, hook the battery back up and try it again.
 
Rule of thumb as a newbie -don't start replacing parts until old one is determined to be defective. Have you got the essential manuals? Begin with those before jumping into part swaps. Define rough shape. Don't judge by the external looks -is it working now? Starting issues can and usually are due to something else being mucked up, wiring is #1. If you resolve the pushbutton starter switch is defective, Dennis Carpenter & nnalert sell a good one - gotta get the 8N-11500-A switch (there are two other 9N switches that won't work) and comes with the gasket also needed.

<a href="https://imgur.com/qI9P22k">
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TPD
 
WOW, I almost speechless to the amount of replies. Thank you all. I at no point do I want to bypass anything that makes it safer. I tested it by shorting directly to the solenoid as suggested and it started every time. I happen to have a spray can of contact cleaner so I cleaned the starter switch also as suggested. Now it did help allot but did not cure the issue. So It looks like a replacement Factory style starter switch will do. Again to all who relied Thank you. I don't plan on restoring this old girl to show quality, However do want to clean her up and make it reliable for my kids to enjoy and Maybe Grand kids in the future.
 

Since you have kids don't even think anymore about an on-dash push button starter switch. Replace the OEM switch. Good luck with it!
 
A neighbor was just run over by his tractor; and it left him in very bad shape but he was lucky enough to survive. He was apparently jump starting it at the solenoid, in front of the wheel, and it started in gear.
 

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