Well, that didn't go too bad (modifying 8n hood)

Basically the tractor is gonna need new/good used dog legs, grill, and the hood itself. There was some rot in them to start with before the fire but the heat from the fire basically blew holes in pretty much any place the metal was questionable on the right hand side of the tractor.

Looked for a decently priced used hood in decent shape and couldn't really find anything. Decided to purchase a new hood ($450 delivered) from Antietam Tractor and Equipment in Hagerstown. It's not a perfect match for the OE hood but it will do. The gauge of metal is alittle thinner and the front contour is slightly different. Plus there is no Ford script in the hood. Couldn't locate an aftermarket hood that had the Ford script in it.

Well, I just finished modifying a set of headers for my brother's 68 Big Block Corvette Stingray so I was feeling alittle adventurous with the welder. Decided to cut the old Ford script out of the old hood and weld it into the new one.

I stripped all the old paint/rust off the original piece using a wire wheel and vinegar in my ultrasonic cleaner for about an hour. Came out pretty good.

From the cut out piece I stayed about 1/4" above the lip on the hood and 27" back from the air cleaner opening. Made a mark on the new hood and ground all the primer off. Lined everything up so it looked right, tack welded the Ford script piece to the new hood, drew the outline of the patch with a marker, nipped off the tacks, and got busy with an angle grinder.

Once I got the hole cut I used a magnet to hold the patch where I needed it to be and started tacking it in. First time I've ever attempted something like this and gotta say it wasn't as hard as I thought it was gonna be. I did warp the back part alittle by getting in too much of hurry and not spreading out my tack welds and letting it cool enough. Some bondo and paint will hide that AOK.

Still gotta do the other side but now that I have done one it shouldn't be bad at all.

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PIcs

I have sometimes contemplated using Sculpey (oven-baked modeling compound) to add emblems and script to my Ford 8N tractor.

A good example: my lighting setup does not have the "wings" that fits around where light attaches. Wings could easily be made with Sculpey, hardened in oven, painted, adhesive applied & item placed wherever desired.

If a person wanted to transfer Ford script, they could push Sculpey into the script from underneath/inside to get an impression, which could then be baked & hardened in oven, before being applied to tractor.

I would imagine that if you had 3D print technology available, you could make just about anything you wanted and skip using Sculpey.

That looks great. Well done.

Good job!! I know how tough it is to do that without distorting the surrounding steel, especially at the corners.

You do nice work!
Nothing like a squirt gun welder for
working on tractor stuff.
I did a bit of light work a couple of
weeks ago. Replaced my welder this winter
and am still getting used to it so
started with some heavier metal.
I removed 3" out of this battery tray
then welded the end back on.

WOW...Back about 3 months or so ago I was in the same position. I gave up on finding any kind of original hood. So I came up with the same bright idea you did. I proceeded to cut my script off the old hood and go with a new one and weld it in.
However, since I am an amateur welder I was reluctant to go with a new one as I didn't want to start cutting and learning how to weld on a perfectly good $330 ++ new hood
I have been practicing sheet metal welding on the old hood and found it to be pretty easy to do as long as you have the patience.
So I was searching for the best place to by a new hood and happened on your post.
So congratulations on a brilliant idea and excellent execution !
I would love to see how the final product turned out and find out any issues you had or tips for making sure I don't screw it up.
I was a little worried about the thickness of the hoods and if that had any effect etc etc
Great job
thanks
Alan

Screwed up my reply below

Nice job on the hood.

Great job Kossuth! for anyone contemplating this, You can get little clamps at Harbor Freight that hold sheet steel together in place for welding. Also, avoid 90 degree corners. It is VERY difficult to make one without distortion even with a lot of cooling and going very slowly. It works much better to cut and weld arcs.

I cut the rusty parts out like in your old hood and welded used ones back in. I will never go there again it took me a week to do it and get paint on it...

(quoted from post at 15:29:34 04/19/20) PIcs

Click to expand...

ello, if you have the pictured section available would you sell it to me? Next week I plan on fabricating a carburetor bonnet so I can fix my ugly former propane hood. My e-mail option is active.
Thank's

Forgot my photo of needed section.