Ford 8n question

Inherited a 8n. Know nothing about them. Going through it it has weak spark, low compression and weird wiring. Things I can work on hopefully. My question is there is a good amount of oil below the crank shaft pulley. Enough that it sloshed our unloading. Is this normal or i am guessing a front seal is out? Seems odd to have effectively a bowl on the front to catch crap?

Thanks

6v or 12v?

Front or side distributor?

Got the manuals? ( see tip # 39)
75 Tips

6 volt. Front mount distributor. No manual. Just working my game plan

that's not a bowl. it's the front motor mount and the hole in the bottom is clogged.

Best advice at this point is to start w/ the manuals, all 3. Flip through them, then go after on system at a time: charging, ignition, fuel, etc.

Don't shotgun parts at it. Troubleshoot the problems before you start tossing parts at it.
75 Tips

VZ - N-series tractors very often leak a bit of oil at the front seal, but not near as much as you described. The front seal on your machine apparently needs replacement.

VZ - N-series tractors normally leak a bit of oil from the front seal, but not near as much as you described. The front seal on your machine apparently needs replacement.

Prolly half the stuff in the crankcase is gas. If the fuel petcock is left open, and the float needle leaks, it can fill the crankcase with fuel(eventually).

Drain the fluid out, and start over with new oil and filter of course. The 8N is a great starter tractor, but don't forget the most important rule - the 8N can just barely kill you.

VZ - N-series tractors normally leak a bit of oil from the front seal,

Both my main seals leak. I have to add 2 quarts of oil during the season to keep oil level up. I don't run the tractor in the winter. I consider these leaks manageable at least until I need to get into the engine for some other reason!
JB

As a newbie, before you put a wrench in your hand, get copies of THE ESSENTIAL MANUALS and read religiously; they are the best investment you can make for your tractor. If nothing else, get a copy of the OEM Operator's Manual for the correct year you have -front or side mount a big diff; the CLYMER/ I&T FO-4 Manual; and a copy of the '39-'53 MPC. Don't know what "bowl to catch that crap" you are referring to. A 6V battery(it's most likely dead if it has been setting for months)doesn't mean it is wired correctly for a 6V/POS GRN system. Do you have 3-Wire Generator? A Voltage Regulator? A 3-Wire Starter Motor with a SOLENOID? The OEM Ballast Resistor? So much to learn before you even think about starting it.

FORD N-TRACTOR FRONT MOUNT DISTRIBUTOR:

HOW TO SET TIMING:

RESULTS WHEN UNIT IS MOUNTED 180° OFF:

FORD 8N TRACTOR WIRING DIAGRAMS:


FORD 8N-SERIES TRACTOR OEM 6V/POS GRN WIRING PICTOGRAM:

BATTERY TENDER JR (6V) BY DELTRAN:

FORD 8N TRACTOR -48/50 GENERATOR BELT TENSION ARM 8N-10145:

*Used only on early 8N generator with the front mount distributor.


FORD TRACTOR FRONT MOUNT DISTRIBUTOR FIRING ORDER; 1,2,4,3 CCW:


Breaker Points/Front Mount = .015"/Side Mount = .025" - Spark Plugs H12 (or 437) 14mm .025"-.028"; Firing Order: 1, 2, 4, 3 CCW.


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


Tim Daley(MI)

Welcome to a time gone by. The 8N design was simple and effective and today that's a rare thing.

As others have said the manuals are invaluable so do yourself a favor and get them. You will find this board to
have a lot of knowledgeable folks that will go out of their way to help. In the end the tractor will surprise
you how reliable and capable it can be.

And there's not a single metric bolt or nut on it.