Early 8n steering box leak

Ted N Wi

New User
i have a early 8n (4 digit serial#) that is leaking. If I can find the packings, washers, gaskets. etc. can I just remove the covers and install new? Or should I drain and fill with a O grade grease?
 
Where did you find a '4-digit s/n' and what is it? What is your engine block casting date code, a cast tag on the starter pocket? The early 8N steering box is a mother lover to work on. The seals and bushings get worn out and leak. Simply pouring grease or oil in it will not fix anything. It's a big job the pull strg housg and rebuild. The steering box is the most neglected systems on the N's. On the early 8N, the oil fill plug is an NPT pipe plug located on the RH steering shaft behind the dash. Don't try pouring grease or oil down the shaft on the steering wheel, under the acorn nut. You will only end up with a mess. Yeah, all the parts are sod at DC - race & bearing kit, 8N-3505; Shaft & Ball Nut Assembly -8N-3575-A; Shims, 8N-3595-KIT; Strg Gear Sector, 8N-3526-B(RH) and 8N-3527-B (LH)and more. N-Guru, John Smith, retired, once said if he was to do an early box again he'd opt to just replace it with a later one.

FORD 8N TRACTOR ESSENTIAL OWNER/OPERATOR/PARTS/SERVICE MANUALS:
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Tim Daley(MI)
 
Ser# from side of block behind oil filter. 4 digits with a star. From the shop manual and the parts manual it looks like you could pull the cover and bushing assembly #3584 then replace the seals etc. without removing from tractor. Steering is working just fine as is. I just added some 90wt and over the last couple of days it all leaked out. Just trying to get it to last another70+ years.
 
Kudos if you have a 4-digit s/n -may want to consider a full OEM restoration. What is the casting date code? See PIC. A simple answer is NO, you need to yank steering box off in order to replace seals and bushings and so may as well do a whole rebuild at that point. "Steering Works Fine" but oil leaks out. How did you add oil? Thru steering wheel acorn nut? I told you it would. I fabbed my own lube plug with an NPT plug altered with a Zerk fitting to grease with 00 or 01 Cornhead grease but not going to help much until it is rebuilt correctly.


EARLY 8N ENGINE CASTING DATE CODE BOSS, SEPTEMBER 16, 1947:
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FORD 8N STEERING BOX MODIIFIED LUBE PLUGS: EARLY- NPT; LATE - HEX BOLT:
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FORD 8N TRACTOR, EARLY STEERING BOX, BEFORE S/N 263844 & MODIFIED ZERK/NPT PLUG:
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FORD 8N TRACTOR, LATE STEERING BOX, AFER S/N 263844 & MODIFIED ZERK/BOLT:
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Tim Daley(MI)
 
(quoted from post at 09:30:11 06/18/20) i have a early 8n (4 digit serial#) that is leaking. If I can find the packings, washers, gaskets. etc. can I just remove the covers and install new? Or should I drain and fill with a O grade grease?

Unfortunately most older steering boxes leak. Even a lot of rebuilt units. Just plain wear. My opinion - you'd be better off with grease
 
I will look for the date code. I added 90 wt through the pipe plug hole on the right siide. I used a pump that I use with older outboards (lower units) to add the oil.

Thanks for the replies
 
Looked for casting code only found a cast C below starter.
No evidence of rivets for plate.
There is a plate screwed on the right side of trans case with A18 on it. Tractor does have a Sherman over under in it.
Checked on the hydraulic pump and it has a tag with 7 18 47.
So I guess it is an early 8N.
Thanks to all again
 

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