Dean..... ...its not unusual for a well meaning, but miss-informed shadetree mechanic, to install a replacement 6 volt battery negative ground like in their Belch-Fire V-8. Yes, 6 volt N-Tractors were originally and should still be "positive ground". If'n ya convert to 12 volts, your 12 volt alternator's internal solid state gutts absolutely DEMANDS negative ground. Understand? DO NOT 8 VOLT, its a BAD IDEA. And unless you know how to "adjust" your 8N voltage regulator, you'll be runnin' round with a discharged 8 volt battery. The OEM 6 volt frontmount coil doesn't like too many volts and will puke its gutts. 8 volts not good idea. Starter don't care positive or negative ground. Generator don't really care positive or negative ground as long as the voltage regulator was "POLARIZED" for whatever the battery ground is. Sparkie coil does care, incorrect coil polarity can loose upto 40% of your sparkies. Since you seem to have a non-chargeable battery issue. Make certain that your generator/voltage regulator are correctly "polarized" for whatever you decide your 6 volt battery ground is. 'course it never hurts to do it like the factory, positive ground. To polarize your 6 volt 8N, spark-arc your BATT and ARM terminals at your voltage regulator. (they're side-by-side). As to wheather to convert to 12 volts, do a search of the N-Board archives. Read'em and weep. I'm a 12 volt advocate for the right reasons. That said, I haven't found the right reason for my eazy starting '52 8N, and I know how to do it right, the first time. In fact I know 7-ways to do it right. Remember, the 6 volt mantra: "keep'em clean, bright, and tight" and don't be fer usin' enny of them thar wimpy ferrin made k-mart battery cables. Gettcha sum 'arry chested 'merrican made thick as yer thumb 1/0 battery cables. And amaze yerselfs how eazy yer 6 volter starts..... ..Dell
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