9N V8 Conversion Build

markdtn

New User
I have always wanted a V8 tractor. My dad has an NAA (since 1968) and in the '70 when I was young we bought him a book about Ford tractors. I saw a conversion with a flathead V8 and knew I would have 1 someday. About 5 years ago a lady at church was going to scrap a 9N because it was allowed to freeze. I bought it cheap an so the journey began-slowly. I then acquired a V8 that had been pulled and left uncovered for a few years. It took 3 years to get it unstuck enough to tear apart. Finally got it to machine shop and it was going to need to be .125 over and 2 sleeves and other stuff. So I found a block that went .030 over. Bought the conversion kit from Awesome Henry. Built the engine in February but then my oldest son graduated high school. Tried to spend time with him this Summer. When he left for College I got busy. Finally last night started it for the first time. The clutch is stuck and one of the water necks has a leak. I ordered them both and will get them put in. I am looking for somebody else who has done this conversion on a 9N or 2N. The kit is really designed for an 8N in many ways. I am curious what people use for fuel tanks? I have a Homelite Generator that has a perfect fuel tank, but they are unavailable. I want one to go underhood. Would love some photos of a Funk tank installed. Here are a few photos along the way. Hope you like it.






 

Great job, looks like you know what you are doing ; )

Are you using a constant speed governor of any kind ? When I was considering doing a flathead V8 conversion on my 8N, that was one part I could not figure out although I did collect a few governor parts that I believe were used for a Ford flathead V8 truck application.
 
Hi. I cant help with your questions,but thanks for posting the pictures, the tractor looks
real nice. Someday I would like to do that too.
 
I did mine last year with a ford 302 engine. It was really easy with the Awsome Henry kit. I'll try to post a picture of my gas tank which is on the
rear behind the seat. You can also get your tank cut down to fit if you find the right welder. The guys ar Henry also sell a gas tank that will fit
under the hood.
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Nice!

I looked at the Awesome Henry kit and also the one from Red Rock. The AH kit is definitely more complete. I spoke to Don Knasel last October. We worked up a price and a kit. Wish I had ordered it right then. When I went back to order in February, I learned that he has passed away. The guy running the business now is nice enough, but the price went up quite a bit. It is very well thought out, but is tailored to an 8N. It fits a 9N/2N but not exactly. I would do it again.
 
(quoted from post at 20:14:55 11/10/16) Nice!

I looked at the Awesome Henry kit and also the one from Red Rock. The AH kit is definitely more complete. I spoke to Don Knasel last October. We worked up a price and a kit. Wish I had ordered it right then. When I went back to order in February, I learned that he has passed away. The guy running the business now is nice enough, but the price went up quite a bit. It is very well thought out, but is tailored to an 8N. It fits a 9N/2N but not exactly. I would do it again.

He learned the nice part from Don... My guess but if he were around him much it rubbed off...
 
I thought I might update this with some more current/finished photos. I also learned that this is a 1944 2N not a 9N. Sorry about that. The biggest issue I have had was cooling. I have gone from a stock radiator to a monster aluminum radiator with a 2-speed electric fan.

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(quoted from post at 16:47:25 01/25/22) Make sure to add wheely bars
ooks real nice. Nice work! Wife says, 'I'm sure glad finished, now maybe the shrubs can get trimmed!" :)
 
VERY nice!! I'm going a little different direction w/a 4.0 Ranger V6 so it looks more stock - no extended hood, etc,,,

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Markdtn, Nice looking conversion. What makes you think it's a '44 2N? The I beam radius rods make it earlier than that, don't they? My '44 has the oval rods.
 
(quoted from post at 11:56:43 01/26/22) Markdtn, Nice looking conversion. What makes you think it's a '44 2N? The I beam radius rods make it earlier than that, don't they? My '44 has the oval rods.

A '44 2N had I beam rods early and oval rods later in "44.
 
(quoted from post at 21:12:18 01/26/22) I have a 2011 Ford ranger with the OHC 4.0 That I really like.
How is it junk?

The overhead cam 4.0 got it's bad reputation largely over timing chain and associated component failures.

There's 4 timing chains, one of which "lives" between the back of the RH bank and the flywheel. NOT swell when something goes wrong back there!

NOT sure how much of the problem they had solved by your 2011.
 
When you have issues with the timing chains/valve train most shops run from them very few if they are smart will not take that gamble.

A simple valve cover gasket is a P.I.T.A. I have no problem telling the custom its junk don't bring it back. A many have been scrapped out because of engine/transmission issues the cost out weighs the value of the truck.

The good the truck itself is as good as any the bad the SOHC 4.0 engine is not. Personally I think Ford intended it that way : ( I doubt we will see any running around 20 years from now like we do the 80 are 90's rangers. They do not have the high mileage gene the old 4.0 had.

If I had one and it made it to 150K it would be someone else's problem. Take the money and run its all downhill from there they become a money pit you will never get your money back.
 

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