Ford 8N starter problems Please help?

Hello,
My name is David and i am having starting problems on my 8N. I just traded an old car for it and when the man delivered the tractor, he showed me that it started well and ran well, so i figured i got a good deal. He started it several times and worked the lift etc... then i went out to start it the next day, i flooded it, and after that the starter just spun and bendix wouldn't engage. So i bought a new starter with the drive already on it and before i installed the new one i checked the flywheel ring gear. It looks great, but after i installed the new starter it still just spins. I also installed a new solenoid so i am confused. Any help is very much appreciated?
Thanks, David [color=black:bebb3585ae][/color:bebb3585ae]

Welcome to the forum! I would start by charging the battery.

The starter drive gear contacts the flywheel on the clutch side,so the side you see is the wrong side unless you have split
the tractor.

(quoted from post at 19:15:32 07/30/20) Welcome to the forum! I would start by charging the battery.

Click to expand...

Thanks, i should have mentioned that i did charge it. Didn't help.

(quoted from post at 19:18:30 07/30/20) The starter drive gear contacts the flywheel on the clutch side,so the side you see is the wrong side unless you have split
the tractor.

Click to expand...

Thanks, i don't look forward to splitting the tractor, but i see what you mean. I might have to! If so, i'll have to get some help. I am 68 and disabled. Thanks, David

When you press the pushbutton neutral safety starter button and you only hear a 'click, click, click', that is a sure sign of a weak or most likely dead battery. I'd pull it, take it to a starter or parts shop and have it bench tested for specific gravity under load. As a newbie, get the Essential Manuals. What did you do with the old OEM starter? I'd buy it if interested. These major components are designed to be rebuilt over and over -better than any new aftermarket stuff sold today.

You need a strong battery to:
1. Spin the starter
2. Engage the Bendix
3. Provide voltage to the coil.
Tips on battery care and performance:
As the battery gets weaker, the first thing to fail is your spark. The more current you use to spin the starter, the less you have for the ignition. It doesn't really matter much if the battery is "fully charged" until you test it correctly. 4 Volts is an almost dead unit. Bench test under load and specific gravity must be tested. Your trusty local starter/alternator shop can bench test it on their special machine, usually at no charge –no pun intended. No matter what else you do, the battery must be fully charged. Cheap brands are prone to poor lifespans. The TSC and Wally World ones are the worst. 7 years is a good run for a 6V battery, 10/12 even better. Briefly in a nutshell, you want a GP-1 6V AG battery -no Deep Cycle or RV/Golf Cart types. I suggest you invest in one of the better brands. Those would be DEKA, INTERSTATE, EAST PENN/DURACELL, or EXIDE. I'm not sure who makes the NAPA one but I've heard good things about it. Get at least a 550-750 CCA with the average cost at about $125.
A fully charged 6v battery should read about 6.3 - 6.6 volts. In order to get that charge level, your v/r must allow 7.2 volts to the battery. Specific gravity should be 1.24 - 1.28 on each cell. A hydrometer is used but your shop has the machine to test under load. Battery cables are important too. 6V cables are thick as your thumb due to current used and the ground is a braided flat strap. 12V battery cables are like your car or truck –smaller gauge. Clean all the grounds & the battery posts. 6V mantra: Clean, bright, and tight.

A float charger is VERY helpful; and NOT a trickle charger, but a float charger, like the DELTRAN Battery Tender Jr.® ™. It is a popular brand, available at Walmart, $30. A battery charger, even a "trickle" charger, left unattended will eventually boil out a battery. Connect the battery Tender to your battery when the tractor is idle for periods over a week. Maintains a full charge for when you need it most. Don’t think just because you put your battery on a charger it is good. The constant draining and recharging I the cause of battery life depleting.

BATTERY TENDER JR (6V) BY DELTRAN:


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


Tim Daley(MI)

(quoted from post at 21:34:39 07/30/20) Hello,
My name is David and i am having starting problems on my 8N. I just traded an old car for it and when the man delivered the tractor, he showed me that it started well and ran well, so i figured i got a good deal. He started it several times and worked the lift etc... then i went out to start it the next day, i flooded it, and after that the starter just spun and bendix wouldn't engage. So i bought a new starter with the drive already on it and before i installed the new one i checked the flywheel ring gear. It looks great, but after i installed the new starter it still just spins. I also installed a new solenoid so i am confused. Any help is very much appreciated?
Thanks, David [color=black:98ca04039e][/color:98ca04039e]

Click to expand...

ometimes (BTDT), the ring gear is loose on the flywheel and simply spins without turning the flywheel. I have successfully welded them in a few spots thru the starter mounting hole.

(quoted from post at 02:06:58 07/31/20)

(quoted from post at 21:34:39 07/30/20) Hello,
My name is David and i am having starting problems on my 8N. I just traded an old car for it and when the man delivered the tractor, he showed me that it started well and ran well, so i figured i got a good deal. He started it several times and worked the lift etc... then i went out to start it the next day, i flooded it, and after that the starter just spun and bendix wouldn't engage. So i bought a new starter with the drive already on it and before i installed the new one i checked the flywheel ring gear. It looks great, but after i installed the new starter it still just spins. I also installed a new solenoid so i am confused. Any help is very much appreciated?
Thanks, David [color=black:928a2f9d81][/color:928a2f9d81]

Click to expand...

ometimes (BTDT), the ring gear is loose on the flywheel and simply spins without turning the flywheel. I have successfully welded them in a few spots thru the starter mounting hole.

Click to expand...

Thanks, that does sound a possibilty. I will check out some things today. It would be a lot easier to weld it without splitting the tractor for sure. David

(quoted from post at 16:30:29 07/31/20)

(quoted from post at 02:06:58 07/31/20)

(quoted from post at 21:34:39 07/30/20) Hello,
My name is David and i am having starting problems on my 8N. I just traded an old car for it and when the man delivered the tractor, he showed me that it started well and ran well, so i figured i got a good deal. He started it several times and worked the lift etc... then i went out to start it the next day, i flooded it, and after that the starter just spun and bendix wouldn't engage. So i bought a new starter with the drive already on it and before i installed the new one i checked the flywheel ring gear. It looks great, but after i installed the new starter it still just spins. I also installed a new solenoid so i am confused. Any help is very much appreciated?
Thanks, David [color=black:39c9377520][/color:39c9377520]

Click to expand...

ometimes (BTDT), the ring gear is loose on the flywheel and simply spins without turning the flywheel. I have successfully welded them in a few spots thru the starter mounting hole.

Click to expand...

Thanks, that does sound a possibilty. I will check out some things today. It would be a lot easier to weld it without splitting the tractor for sure. David

Click to expand...

My tractor does this every once and awhile , Put the tractor in reverse then see if you can roll is backwards to turn the engine over . It does not take much movement . then put it back in neutral then try again . Or you can turn the engine over alittle with the alternator belt ( don't pinch your fingers on the belt ) .

this works for me ..

Put it in high, not reverse! Then rock it back & forth using the rear tire.

(quoted from post at 10:25:54 07/31/20)

(quoted from post at 16:30:29 07/31/20)

(quoted from post at 02:06:58 07/31/20)

(quoted from post at 21:34:39 07/30/20) Hello,
My name is David and i am having starting problems on my 8N. I just traded an old car for it and when the man delivered the tractor, he showed me that it started well and ran well, so i figured i got a good deal. He started it several times and worked the lift etc... then i went out to start it the next day, i flooded it, and after that the starter just spun and bendix wouldn't engage. So i bought a new starter with the drive already on it and before i installed the new one i checked the flywheel ring gear. It looks great, but after i installed the new starter it still just spins. I also installed a new solenoid so i am confused. Any help is very much appreciated?
Thanks, David [color=black:5e04de1f5d][/color:5e04de1f5d]

Click to expand...

ometimes (BTDT), the ring gear is loose on the flywheel and simply spins without turning the flywheel. I have successfully welded them in a few spots thru the starter mounting hole.

Click to expand...

Thanks, that does sound a possibilty. I will check out some things today. It would be a lot easier to weld it without splitting the tractor for sure. David

Click to expand...

My tractor does this every once and awhile , Put the tractor in reverse then see if you can roll is backwards to turn the engine over . It does not take much movement . then put it back in neutral then try again . Or you can turn the engine over alittle with the alternator belt ( don't pinch your fingers on the belt ) .

this works for me ..

Click to expand...

Thanks, i will try that tomorrow.

Ok, i will try that tomorrow. Thanks, David

The battery has a good charge. I think it may be the ring gear spinning. Thanks, David

Daveyboy68,If you find that the ring gear is loose on the flywhee.
Don't weld it by just hooking the ground cable just any where,as it has to be hooked on to the flywheel or front pulley or endene bearing damage can happen

(quoted from post at 15:49:39 07/31/20) Daveyboy68,If you find that the ring gear is loose on the flywhee.
Don't weld it by just hooking the ground cable just any where,as it has to be hooked on to the flywheel or front pulley or endene bearing damage can happen

Click to expand...

Thanks for the tip. I will be sure to do that if i end up having to weld it.

Good to know , I have always rocked it in reverse

If you can find a handcrank,you will be able to start it fairly easily. I have one I found at a flea market,then found the
one I had from my '48 dodge,so have two. I had a weak battery and the old tractor started easily.

(quoted from post at 10:40:03 07/31/20) Put it in high, not reverse! Then rock it back & forth using the rear tire.

Click to expand...

Would using a hand crank to start it work for now? I did order one yesterday after seeing some video's where it worked. What do you think? Thanks.

(quoted from post at 10:08:22 08/01/20) If you can find a handcrank,you will be able to start it fairly easily. I have one I found at a flea market,then found the
one I had from my '48 dodge,so have two. I had a weak battery and the old tractor started easily.

Click to expand...

Thanks, i got one on ebay . Should get here mid-week, so i hope it works.

(quoted from post at 18:14:43 07/31/20)

(quoted from post at 15:49:39 07/31/20) Daveyboy68,If you find that the ring gear is loose on the flywhee.
Don't weld it by just hooking the ground cable just any where,as it has to be hooked on to the flywheel or front pulley or endene bearing damage can happen

Click to expand...

Thanks for the tip. I will be sure to do that if i end up having to weld it.

Click to expand...

Well, i tried rolling it back and forth in high, but still starter just spins. I also ordered a hand crank and it came today. I went to slide it in but it doesn't have anything on the crank in which to accept the 'T' . Don't all 8N's have a way to hand crank start? There is just a bolt on the crank shaft. No receiver slot for the crank. This is my first 8N and i thought all 8N's could be hand crank started. I am stumped. Anyone have an idea what i am missing besides a brain? Thanks for all the help.

Well, i didn't have the adapter end on my tractor, so i started thinking and wondering if they had them on the tractor. I went looking and found a used one on Ebay for about $14. with shipping. I ordered it , so now i wait some more, but glad i found one. Man, this is already an adventure! Still got a long way to go and need to figure the starter problems out but this old machine is starting to grow on me. :?

Sometimes the ratchet bolt gets removed when a loader is installed.
Other times, just because it makes it easier to replace the belt.
Mine still has it. I used it to set the timing.

(quoted from post at 18:14:31 08/05/20) Sometimes the ratchet bolt gets removed when a loader is installed.
Other times, just because it makes it easier to replace the belt.
Mine still has it. I used it to set the timing.

Click to expand...

Thank you. I also want to say you fellers have been a great help for me. I am amazed at how everyone here has jumped in and really wanted to help me. I am not a farmer, but when i was a teenager my parents bought a farm here in Central Virginia. It had been my Dad's life long dream. He was a coal miner most of his life and worked so hard trying to make his dream come true. Mom pinched and saved money in mason jars until they could buy a few pieces of two by fours etc... finally they started building the house. Took a while but they got it built. So that's where i learned to plow, disc, plant and harvest. It was a small farm as farms go, but i remember seeing Dad out in the fields every morning at daylight. They both passed recently in their mid nineties, but i am glad they saw their dream come true.I hadn't used a tractor in decades , but tractors always bring back their hard working memories. So thanks again guys. You're a bunch of good one's.