Almost There, the 1947 Ford 8N Project

[T-Mo-(Moderator) 4,701]

Before someone mentions it, yes the 8N came out unofficially in 1947. While most will tell you the 8N was from 1948 through 1952, the first 8Ns were sold in 1947 and there are a few design characteristics that a 1947 has that a 1948 doesn't. They are explained in my youtube video here, and also explains why this is not a 1950-1952 side mount tractor:

 

 

 

I got this tractor in the summer of 2021. Since this came out of the factory as a front mount engine, things were done to it to convert it to a side mount engine. Different timing cover, different cam gear, i.e. that allowed the front mount distributor to be thrown away and a side mount distributor to be added. As explain in the video, the front mount engines had the generator (in this case alternator) on the right side, but to convert this to a side mount, the distributor goes on the left side. So the alternator was moved to the left side with a funky looking home made bracket. A true side mount distributor had the oil filler tube moved rearward slightly to make room for the generator, whereas this one being a front mount engine, the oil filler tube was just smashed against the engine block to accommodate the alernator.

Being that this was a homemade side mount conversion, when I got it, it didn't run right. So we put it in time and now it runs good. The fan shroud was trashed, so a new fan shroud, as well as a new radiator. Also new steering wheel was added as well as a new grille. After power washing, the first coat of red went on in the spring of 2022. Light grey was added to the wheels and fenders and doglegs, as well as the new grille. But since I don't do body work and my bil does, he took the hood and was supposed to work on it. He had it for 3 and half years, and I finally got it back a couple of weeks ago. So, now the hood can be painted.

Along the way, I replaced the pto seal since it was leaking. It still needs the left rear axle seal replaced. And I want to get a new battery door latch.

 

The almost finished product is more of a 50 foot paint job (maybe 50 yards....). It is almost there. Since the red paint was added, it sat in the garage so, it now needs powered washed to get the red to shine again.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ebinmaine 75,956]

Niiiiice

[953 nut 63,213]

4 hours ago, T-Mo said:

The almost finished product is more of a 50 foot paint job (maybe 50 yards....). It is almost there.

Looks good to me.                                   Brought back a childhood memory for ne.

Growing up all of us boys would hire out to do work for other farmers in the area. Most of them would let us drive one of their tractors to pull the hay wagon while they worked the hay baler with another tractor. One of the farms had a Ford 8N that the farmer never let anyone but himself drive. When he passed away his nearly fifty year

old 8N still looked like new, never repainted or overhauled, just a true time capsule. 

[pfrederi 19,316]

My brothers 8N had the front mount distributor...what a PIA it was if you had to clean points adjust timing etc.

 

Yours looks great!!!

Edited 5 hours ago by pfrederi

[8ntruck 8,379]

I've got a '48 8n.  Have a couple of threads on it in the other brands section.  Look for EJ the 8n.  50 yard paint jobs are just fine - particulary if the tractor is a worker.

 

The bushings in my front mount distributor were really sloppy, resulting in hard start, rough running, and no start issues.  My fix was to install a new distributor with an electronic  ignition system - some of the best money I've spent on that tractor.