Need Help or Am I Just Crazy

roadhouse

New User
I have a 1948 8N tractor. I am going through it, replacing parts as needed, and pretty much just refurbishing it.

When I sit in the seat, below me is the gear selector and a starter button yes? That starter button when pushed supposedly starts the tractor, yes, or at least that's how it always worked.

However, I was having a sparking issue between where the starter connects to the terminal, and then the terminal connects to the + side of the battery. I disconnected the cable from this terminal and then unbolted the part and pulled it out.

Does it look like another starter button? What's up with that? I mean I can see no way how the starter button by the gear selector could any way possible connect to this new starter button I found. It's driving me nuts. I want to buy the part new, but I don't know what to even look for. It has no part number that I can see.

I am adding a photo so you can see what I am talking about. It's just crazy as far as I am concerned.

The photo is of the part and the place it connects to on the tractor. Yeah, don't give me grief about how my tractor looks. It runs great but aesthetically it looks like crap. I will soon remedy that.

Thanks for any help guys, especially where I may be able to find a replacement part.

Mike
 
It is possible that your wiring is non-standard, as there are several ways these tractors can be wired with more-or-less success. The original intent of the wire going to the pushbutton adjacent to the gearshift is that pushing it would ground the solenoid circuit and enable the two high-amp contacts in the solenoid to close and engage the starter. So the "button" is not a typical starter button with two contacts that you might be thinking of, it is just a very simple switch that grounds the one wire that comes from the "correct" style solenoid. This works whether positive or negative ground. Hope this helps..., and you might also be crazy, too; don't know about that!
 
(reply to post at 09:34:49 07/22/20)

Oh yeah. Photos (You guys need to solve your photo upload issues) Anything you try to upload etc comes back with you are using language that is not acceptable. Crazyness. If you need help, I am a professional forum designer and builder. Just saying. I am trying a link and hope this works for showing photos.

xxx.png

yyy.png

[img:2db9de1e2a]www.roadhouserefurbs.com/images/ppp.png]/img]

And here is the error I get time after time. LOL

Error:

We are sorry, your post contained one or more words that are restricted due to either YT User Community standards or are common indicators of spamming, cracking, or spambot activity. This was most likely accidental but for obvious reasons, the list of such words cannot be published. Please press back arrow and remove any obvious words or unusual character sequences that would not normally occur in speech.
 

Im trying to post photos but I cannot no matter what

My email is [email protected]. Mail me and I will send you photos. It has nothing to do with wiring, Im just trying to figure out what this terminal block wit ha starter button on it is, so I can buy a new one somewhere.

I wish I could post photos. Its impossible. I am a website developer and a forum developer and have yet to find a way to upload photos on this forum. It needs to be reworked. It can be secure without worrying about spam. Use programs like cleantalk etc.
 

Finally. Just copy and paste the link and it will show the photo of the part and where it attaches to the tractor.

Photo2: www.roadhouserefurbs.com/images/yyy.png

Photo3: www.roadhouserefurbs.com/images/ppp.png

Photo 4: www.roadhouserefurbs.com/images/mmm.png

As you can see the starter button is next to the gear shift, so I have no clue why there would be another starter switch inside the tractor (dual bolt holes looks like where a thermostat housing would be if making a comparison)
 

Like I said makes no sense. I am at a loss. I need to know what that part is. I would think a terminal block would work BUT I want it to be original. Who knows maybe back in the day someone inserted a starter button backwards just so they could use it as a terminal block. Makes absolutely no sense in my brain. Im hoping someone has a clue as to what it is. I need one.
 
(quoted from post at 10:07:00 07/22/20) I think you have to post a few times before the adm enables the picture posting.

Yeah Im guessing so. I just created links from my site to photos. Just copy and paste the links into a browser and photos will show. Thanks so much for your help and the conversation. I have to work early here as it gets over 100 degrees during the day.

I had throat cancer lost my voice and my hobby is these tractors. I work on computers for a living but cars trucks and tractors are what I love.

Mike
 
Sorry to hear of your history with cancer; mine was non-hodgkins lymphoma and at one point given about 30 days to get my affairs in order. That was 2006. Working on these old machines is satisfying when they're mostly a hobby! Good luck. You might go to the archives index and find a lot better info from people with more experience than me.
 
I have a 1948 8N tractor. I am going through it, replacing parts as needed, and pretty much just refurbishing it.

When I sit in the seat, below me is the gear selector and a starter button yes? That starter button when pushed supposedly starts the tractor, yes, or at least that's how it always worked.

However, I was having a sparking issue between where the starter connects to the terminal, and then the terminal connects to the + side of the battery. I disconnected the cable from this terminal and then unbolted the part and pulled it out.

Does it look like another starter button? What's up with that? I mean I can see no way how the starter button by the gear selector could any way possible connect to this new starter button I found. It's driving me nuts. I want to buy the part new, but I don't know what to even look for. It has no part number that I can see.

I am adding a photo so you can see what I am talking about. It's just crazy as far as I am concerned.

The photo is of the part and the place it connects to on the tractor. Yeah, don't give me grief about how my tractor looks. It runs great but aesthetically it looks like crap. I will soon remedy that.

Thanks for any help guys, especially where I may be able to find a replacement part.

Mike

Your tractor is not an 8N with that style starter switch! That style starter switch was used on the 9N and 2N tractors!

mvphoto58940.jpg
 
Saw your pictures & your tractor is not 8N....older and either 9N or 2N. Switch mounted in what you refer to as 'thermostat mount' probably stopped functioning due to wear in mechanical linkage connecting it to button by shifter, so someone simlpy moved it elsewhere.
W7bgTFJ.jpg

T38Qtum.jpg

wqEUcl4.jpg

an 8N with solenoid would look like this:
6BSmP8D.jpg
 

Thank you for that. So in other words, you push the main starter switch by the gear selector and a rod then pushed the REAL starter switch. Are these switches and rods still available?

I have seen ones that LOOK exactly the same, but I am not sure.

Also one more question. I have the 3 point hitch BUT it seems the tractor has to be running constantly in order for out to work. I think its called a live PTO. Is there anyway to stop it like it does on the newer ford tractors. Like when you puch in the clutch the PTO quits turning etc. This thing is a bugger to bush hog with because it seems like the PTO is always working when its in gear.
 

Is there a way to tell the difference between a 2N and a 9N...where would te serial numbers be located?


Sorry for the stupid questions. I just want to make sure I do everything correctly.
 
(reply to post at 10:58:43 07/22/20)
linkage, as with many parts are no longer available new for your 60 year old tractor. Some used out there.
Not "live PTO". Pto shifter at your left heel, but not to be shifted on the fly....only with clutch 'in'.
Bush hog needs over-run coupler installed on tractor PTO shaft betweeen tractor & bush hog shaft to prevent hog from pushing tractor due to inertia.
Serial number is on upper left side of engine block, just below cyl head. lightly stamped and easily hidden by paint, dirt, grease, etc.
 
Welcome Newbie. You have a lot to learn (not a meant to be derogatory) so start with the Essential Manuals. OEM copies are sold on ebay, new ones sold at parts suppliers. Reed religiously before you start buying parts and replacing things. Engine block serial numbers were stamped on a boss by the LH head by the oil filter housing. 9N's and 2N's used the '9N' prefix code with the star symbol prefix and suffix. Stars designated steel cylinder sleeves but don't concern with nowadays-don't make anymore. Also, forget about serial number unless doing an original restoration. ALL 9N/2N tractors had a 3-pt transmission, DRAFT CONTROL only and different wheel hubs to name a few. The 9N, 2N, and early 8N (til s/n 263843) used the front mount distributor and Ballast Resistor. Some Manuals are: The OEM Owner/Operator's Manual, the IT FO-4 Manual, and the 39-53 MPC, are the most important. You also need to know if your system is the OEM 6V/POS GRN electrical setup or has someone switched it over to 12V? Much to learn before operating.

FORD ENGINE BLOCK SERIAL NUMBER HAND STAMPS:
q61xMsGh.jpg

FORD N-SERIES TRACTOR SERIAL NUMBER IDENTIFICATION:
2QvuQBGh.jpg


FORD 8N TRACTOR ESSENTIAL OWNER/OPERATOR/PARTS/SERVICE MANUALS:
qI9P22kh.jpg

Tim Daley(MI)
 
(quoted from post at 15:15:08 07/22/20)
(reply to post at 10:58:43 07/22/20)
My 9n wasn't starting,and I figured that the starter relay wasn't working,so I took it apart,cleaned the three metal pieces inside,been working almost 20 years now.
 
roadhouse,You have a 1939-1947 9N or a 2N 3 speed transmission with a brake on the left side and one on the right side.I has a starter switch not a solenoid.

https://www.yesterdaystractors.com/Ford-2N_Starter-Switch-Restoration-Quality_9N11450B.html
https://www.yesterdaystractors.com/store/parts/pics/wm_9N11450B_.jpg
 
9N and 2N are 3 speed with only one brake on right side. You may
have an 8N engine though.
Also the 2 and 9 have mechanical starter. No solenoid. Get a book
for your tractor.
 

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