"New" Ford 8N

[T-Mo]

I picked this up over the last weekend. Drove down to near Metropolis, Illinois (Brookport, to be exact). It sort of a Frankenstein tractor, especially the engine. It appears to be, from certain features, an early 1948. Holes in the grill for the "Ferguson System" badge that were on the 9Ns and 2Ns tractor, and Ford did not remove the holes until later in 1948 (though Ford did not put the badge on the 8Ns at all). Steering knuckle is from an earlier 8N. Oil filler tube is on the forward part of the engine as the earlier 8Ns had front mount distributors and the generator on the right. In 1950, Ford changed the engine to mount a side distributor on the right side, moved the generator to the left side, and move the oil filler tube back and down on the left side to allow for the mounting of the generator. The engine on this 8N seems to have been modified with a side distributor, which means the timing cover and cam had to be changed out. Since the block is from an earlier 8N which had the oil filler tube on the forward left side of the block, they just smashed the filler tube against the block, which means the cap is almost touching the underside of the fuel tank. I can get the cap off and I believe I can add oil with a flexible hose. The filler tube is smashed to allow the alternator to be mounted on the left side (yes, this has been converted to 12V). The hood was painted to cover rust spots that if you get closer to the tractor, the rust spots are clearly visible.

In addition to the images, I'm attaching a short video of it running that the previous owner made.

[Stanton]

Nice looking 8N, Terry. Got any plans for it? Are you going to fix some of those issues you mentioned?

Thanks for sharing...

[T-Mo]

I have some 3 point attachments and want to add more. These attachments will go on this tractor and my 2N.

As for the issues mentioned, I may see if I can find a shorter filler tube. The side distributor is working and is easier to get to for maintenance than a front mount one, so that will stay. I may change out the grille, but that isn't a top priority right now. I want to do a fluid change, spark plug change, etc. and maybe tune up the timing a bit. It needs a knob for the choke rod, so I'll buy one of those. A good cleaning is in order. I already painted the radiator cap, as it's supposed to be black. While I was that, I took the aftermarket tool box off the fender and painted it black also. I got the rear light working (paint covering the ground contact). I may go through the wiring later. Right now all the lights work and it the wiring that's on it is working.

[SONNY]

Nice toy.

[T-Mo]

Here are my two N-series Ford tractors. One is a 1944 2N (the painted greyish-beige one). I figured out that the other one is a 1947 8N with some modifications, i.e. side distributor instead of the front mount distributor. And this 8N, someone replaced the original 8N engine with a late 2N engine. The serial number on the block was hard to read, but I was able to deciphered it enough to find out it was a 2N engine. Luckily I found another serial number stamped on the transmission that makes it a early 1947 8N, which from the other features on the tractor corresponds to it being an early '47 8N.

[Eskimotom]

That's a nice looking pair. I've got a 48 with a Dearborn Loader which I'm rewiring now. Came back from the shop after a clutch replacement in a mess.

[T-Mo]

Right now I have the hood off the 8N to make some engine repairs. If I had the right parts, I'll convert this back to a front mount distributor tractor. I also am looking at picking up a parts 8N, if the guy will come off his price a bit more.