opinions wanted about front mount vs. side mount engines

i have two 8N's, neither are running
i have a front mount 8n that is mostly complete. engine turns freely but there is low compression on cyl 4, spark plugs show oil burning.
the side mount has a proof meter which i like
it has a crack in the left side of the block in the water jacket area that was repaired at some point with what appears to be JB weld. pressure test shows no leakage there.
my plan is to combine the best of the two tractors into one, and repair as needed for a refurbish/restoration. while i like the side mount for the proof meter function, i really didn't want to use the block that has the crack in it. i will likely need to overhaul either engine anyway, both engines show oil burning and carbon buildup on the plugs.
my understanding is there is no way to run a proof meter on a front mount engine, even if i swap the governor to the side mount governor. is this true?
is there some reason i should want to use the damaged side mount engine?

my 2N project is nearing its close, and its time to start making a plan for the 8N project. I am hopeful i can get them both complete before the tractor parades start in October and November this year.

"my understanding is there is no way to run a proof meter on a front mount engine, even if i swap the governor to the side mount governor. is this true?"

NOT true. The governor is a direct swap IF both engines are 8N's.

The 9N/2N governor bodies/innards themselves are more or less the same, as well, but can't be swapped as a complete unit because the levers are different.

The main difference in the actual engine BLOCKS is that the side-mount distributor required that the generator be moved from the right side to the left side, so the side-mount distributor blocks have a mounting area for the generator on the LH side that the older blocks did NOT.

My 2N has a patched up crack using J.B. Weld. It's never leaked a drop. I personally wouldn't worry about it and use that side mount engine.

Gantt
,I would braze up (NOT WELD) or have the crack brazed up on the side mount block by a good welder while the engine is out and before rebuilding it.I have brazed many up that were cracked in that area, and no problem with any.Much easier to braze up with the engine out of the tractor.
Then do the other tractor next year!

Ok, well so far it seems I should lean towards the side mount engine. Works for me, since the front mount tractor has major rust in the common sump anyway so I would have to split them both and swap.
Would be nice to have the 2N and 8n visually different from each other. Besides paint colors.

Waiting on parts to ship for my 2N from YT. Guess this virus crap has shipping slowed down. Been three business days and still hasn t shipped.

I have a 9N ((5262) that had a water jacket repaired with some sort of goop when I bought it. It has never leaked in 12 years and is one of my better starting and running tractors.

I also have 9N 445 which had a hairline crack on the left side of the block. I had it repaired with metal stitching and have had no problems with it for the past 6 years.
Metal stitching

Good evening: An addition to Bob's comment, I am pretty sure the engine block casting changed some more for the left-side generator, in that the oil filler/breather is different. Also, the oil filter needed to be moved back a few inches, so the filter bracket mounting holes in the head are located differently. The filter bracket holes are in the side of the head, so that is where there is a difference. Mutt tractors will make you crazy when you try to replace things! "My opinion and I'm sticking to it."

Dennis M. in W. Tenn.

I don't know all the differences, but one obvious difference on the side mount is the oil fill tube is shorter, and moved closer to the center of the engine. The oil filter mounting bolts difference between the different heads can be acomodated by making an adapter strip out of 1/4" X 1 1/2" flat with 4 properly spaced bolt holes. I believe the front covers (cam gear cover) are different and the cam gear on the side mount has an additional bevel gear to drive the distributor.

I have both 8N engines, but haven't needed to pay serious attention to any other details.

Paul in MN

"my understanding is there is no way to run a proof meter on a front mount engine, even if i swap
the governor to the side mount governor. is this true?"

I replaced the governor on my 48 front mount with a side mount one. Works great. Proof meter shows
the low & high RPM.
Tom/Idaho

thats good to know. i guess it will come down to whichever engine ends up working best for me. at first i was turned off by the crack but really its just a part of its past.

I don't know about innerds or levers but my 44 2N has had a govener housing for the profmetter on for over 50+ years AI do know the orignal housinf was bad and they could not get orignal at that time and put on the newer housing that Dad did not like. So I do know that housing for 8N with proofmeeter will fit a front mount distributor 2N that Dad bought new in May of 44.