Ford 8N Front Mount Distributor Electronic Ignition upgrade

First off: This is not a sponsored video. This was something I needed to do and had to pay for the parts! Sponsors are welcome though!
This goes through the process of installing an electronic ignition kit on a Ford 8N with a front mount distributor. I couldn't find any videos on this so figured I'd make one. Fairly simple process, but went over some things that I ran into, and some things to make your life easier if you've never done this before. Sorry for some video/audio issues but this is the first time I've recorded on my laptop, and used 2 cameras. Hope this helps some other folks.
Some notes:
Make sure you practice safety first. Unhook the battery before performing maintenance on the electrical system!
When using a 12V coil, you do not need the additional ceramic resistor, only the 3-post resistor block that is stock on the tractor.
You may have to "improvise" a mount for the coil. I used 4 4" hose clamps and strapped the coil to the starter. The wires were just long enough to do this.
Parts:
Electronic Ignition kit (complete):
www.yesterdaystractors.com/For...
Distributor rear bushing (engine side):
www.yesterdaystractors.com/For...
Discussion boards for older tractors:
forums.yesterdaystractors.com/
Music:
Kentucky Mandolin - Doc Watson and Bill Monroe
Logitech C920 Webcam
Recorded using OBS Studio

[@knuckle47]

Your video gave me some insight to the 8N electronic ignition change. I’m getting tired of points changing especially having the Dearborn loader up there. For tight work, the hood has to come off each time…👍

[@darcelnuschler7070]

My husband said you did a great job on this video! He's ready now to order his conversion kit. Thank you!

[@m16gunslinger77]

So glad it helped!

[@donaldd.293]

I know this is an old video but it guided me thru installing the pertronix 1247 kit on my 8n. It totally shocked me of the improvement it made. Thanks for this info 👍

[@m16gunslinger77]

glad it helped. yeah. when i had my 8N i noticed it ran a heck of a lot better!

[@ronniegilliland6405]

I am thankful for your youtube post. I completed my install without a hitch....well one...the product they sent me had two black wires...the swirl white went to the negative post on the coil....all is fine now. Thanks again.

[@m16gunslinger77]

Glad it helped!

[@betdougie]

I just got this kit a couple of months ago and slowly been wiring up 9n ,Thanks for the video!!!!

[@m16gunslinger77]

Sure thing! Haven't seen too many folks with videos on this so figured I'd throw one up on what I ran into! Hoping to do a few more videos soon on some more N series fun. Thanks for stopping by!

[@patriciahibbert6139]

@@m16gunslinger77 I'm wondering if a person can get that part here in Canada :-( probably NOT.

[@m16gunslinger77]

@@patriciahibbert6139 Check with some of your parts distributors up there it may be available. Yesterdays Tractors might ship to Canada as well.

[@bodarville2510]

Another Bluegrass fan!!! We’re too few!

[@m16gunslinger77]

Pickin' and a grinnin'

[@joedirt9600]

Nice information, but I thought I was spying on you the whole time..had too peak over the rail...lol

[@m16gunslinger77]

Thanks, Glad this video has helped folks out. I couldn't find a lot of this info when I started out on this project.

[@robertwiederhold4174]

Good job very helpful

[@joet.4756]

Thanks, need to do this on a 8N

[@m16gunslinger77]

Makes a huge difference! Glad this could help.

[@stephengordon8968]

Thanks for the video !

[@m16gunslinger77]

thanks for watching. hope it helped!

[@TheCruzcruz]

thanks for the help!!!

[@m16gunslinger77]

glad this helped!

[@joet.4756]

Thanks!

[@jonsey3645]

For God's sake, quit repeating yourself! Thanks for a useful video.

[@m16gunslinger77]

Sorry I'm not a professional KZbinr. Made this video because no one else had a good one on how to do this. Hope it helped and you could get past my poor broadcaster skills.

[@HousesBuiltTiny]

Great video Thank you. I've used it a few times. On another tractor. This is my second electronic ignition kit. I forgot to look at where the distributor was set when I took it off so that I could replace it in the same alignment. I've got everything on and I've got zero spark. Does that mean I need to pull it off turn the distributor 180° put it back in?

[@m16gunslinger77]

Glad it helped. I can't remember what the angle/rotation is but it sounds like the timing is off. It's been so long since I did this I can't recall. I also ran into an issue with a resistor on mine in-line that someone used to do a 12V conversion and use a 6V coil so my coil wasn't charging properly. Took the resistor out and man it made a huge difference. I'd test the timing first then double check the wiring to make sure someone hasn't miswired something further upstream. I wound up almost completely rewiring my N series because someone did a hack job of a conversion.

[@Webjaybird]

$122 will buy a the same kit minus the Flame Thrower coil and replacement distributor cap. You will reuse the old top mounted coil, not quite as HOT but still much improved over the old points and condenser. Look for Pertronix PN1247. I believe your kit was PN 1247XT.

[@m16gunslinger77]

Thanks for the info, my coil was questionable so I just ordered the whole shooting match

[@OlRuss-ki8go]

Where did you hook wire from dist to. There's the factory wire to coil but where do u hook new wire leaving electronic plate

[@hk-hv3rk]

Nice video, that pertronix kit you got, did that have the distributor bushing with it? And was that for a 6 volt positive ground? Thanks

[@m16gunslinger77]

My tractor was already 12v. The bushing was not included, I ordered a spare but wound up not using it. I'd recommend getting one while you're doing this, especially on the front-mount distributor since it's such a pain to get to.

[@hk-hv3rk]

@@m16gunslinger77 I have a 1948 8n front mount, yes a real pain, that bushing, did you get that from Yesterday's tractor also?, Thanks

[@rontron3]

Mike, Is there any way you can make a pattern to the plate that goes on top of the distributor. Yesterdaystractor doesn't sell it separately and I don't need to buy the whole kit I just need some of the parts. The plate being one of them

[@m16gunslinger77]

i sold the 8N and got a bigger tractor so I dont have the part for reference anymore. sorry.

[@hk-hv3rk]

Do you remember the part number on that bushing you installed?, There's a couple of different ones and I don't want to order the wrong one, 1948 8n front mount,, Thank You

[@m16gunslinger77]

contact Yesterdays Tractors, they're the ones who helped me get all my parts sorted out. They are also where I ordered the parts.

[@gregory9455]

Do you still have to set the timing after this conversation ?? I just installed mine. Anyone know??? (March 2024) my old style had to be advanced to the max !

[@m16gunslinger77]

Still have to adjust timing. Cant remember the steps as its been a while but had to adjust mine a bit after installing.

[@Beavershomevideos]

Hello My Friend. I ordered the kit for an 8n, 6 volt, positive ground, but it is not matching up. The kit I received is 1247p6. However it does not have the flat, brown piece you ran the wires through, nor does it have a hole in the distributor to run the wires through. The only openings it has are like yours and would route the wires up into the coil. Since I didn’t receive the brown plate if I put the coil back on there will be no place to run the wires. Any suggestions for me? Thanks

[@m16gunslinger77]

Mine was a 12V kit

[@m16gunslinger77]

Im not sure the best way to do that. maybe contact yesterdays tractors to see if they have any feedback

[@nekbiodieselworks]

I'm thinking about doing this. will my 8n run and start better if i do this?

[@m16gunslinger77]

Mine definitely seems to start better, especially when it's cold. It without a doubt runs better and doesn't bog down as bad. I bush hogged the field with it after this and it barely noticed the taller grass. With the points and condensor it would bog down a little every patch of taller grass. I did have some timing issues to begin with but put the timing screw dead center of the slot and that seems to be where mine runs happiest.

[@johndowe7003]

ebay has it cheaper for 180 instead of the 200$ they charge

[@m16gunslinger77]

I'd rather buy it from somewhere that has customer support if I have questions, and will take a return if it has issues. But to each their own.

[@frankboyles6203]

Do you have timing set or how do you set it.

[@m16gunslinger77]

I set the timing screw dead center and it ran smooth. You may have to adjust it though. I'd say if it's running well before, make a note of where it is and start there. It's a pain to adjust the timing after the front mount is back on. I found loosening the screw and using a long large flat screw driver to push on the screw worked. Make sure your plate moves freely inside otherwise this is a chore!

[@andyshutts6365]

Where and how did you mount the new coil?

[@m16gunslinger77]

I mounted it to the starter with big hose clamps

[@alarry31]

When I reinstall the distributor do I need to worry about the timing with this upgrade putting it on my tractor

[@m16gunslinger77]

yes. timing still needs to be accounted for when putting it all back on.

[@alarry31]

@@m16gunslinger77 gonna start looking at videos for adjusting it

[@OlRuss-ki8go]

I'm working on a 49 8n 6 v front dist. That has the plate installed with old snapon coil in place. It only has one wire leaving dist. Where does this wire go to ? And is it possible to use the original coil in this manner? Or simply put is there a 6 volt front dist kit or is everything expected to be 12v by now. Honestly 12 volt conv. is for tired low comp engines with a bad bushing in distributor that needs replaced. $280 would pay for all the points for the past 75 years plus years of its life and a can of stabil for your fuel tank for future reliable starts every time. If money is available have motor reringed and some new bearings installed and go with Henry Ford's design. It's not so 🤬 confusing.

[@m16gunslinger77]

Here's a link to all the kits and parts for an 8N: www.yesterdaystractors.com/cgi-bin/store/model_parts.cgi?SearchArea=Ford&md=8N&cat=Electrical%20System As far as where that wire goes it's been a while since I worked on one since I got a larger tractor now. Would need to find a wiring diagram and hope someone didn't bugger up the wiring as bad as they did on mine. The one I had had a 9N rearend with an 8N motor and some 2N parts in between... and more wires than that model tractor ever called for. Basically had to do a complete rewire. Also someone had done the 12V conversion but left a resistor in-line (up under the dash which took a while to find) for the coil that bucked down voltage and caused the coil to not fully charge. Anyhow, your mileage may vary. If you are on a 6V system and it starts well I'd say leave it personally. No sense in doing a complete conversion if a few parts will fix the issue. I just know mine was not liking the 12V conversion on the points/condenser system and switching it to electronic ignition made an absolutely massive difference.

[@tennesseetractor]

I installed the same kit in my 9n it idles and runs good but doesn't Rev up like it did with points doesn't have any power but runs smoothly

[@m16gunslinger77]

is it 12v converted? if so check to make sure there isnt a ballast resistor dropping your voltage to the capacitor. someone converted mine but used the original 6V cap. once i took the resistor out it ran like a champ

[@tennesseetractor]

@@m16gunslinger77 it's all 12v all new wiring it's odd no back firing or stumbling runs really smoothly just won't raise up on rpm been wondering if I somehow messed up the advance when I had it apart

[@m16gunslinger77]

@@tennesseetractor Definitely want to check the timing, if its all 12V then it could be off just slightly. Is yours a front mount distributor?

[@killakobra]

@@tennesseetractor check your pickup polarity. could be backwards

[@HousesBuiltTiny]

Or it could be the Rev adjustment screen on the carb

[@rebel2141]

the instructions talk about a shim washer between the magnet and the breaker plate. I don't have a washer that will fit over the shaft. anybody else have this problem?

[@m16gunslinger77]

there should be a washer for that... may contact the vendor about that or double check they arent stuck together

[@benoit-nz2ux]

What about grease

[@docnez8562]

Where did you mount the new part?

[@m16gunslinger77]

The new ignition coil? I strapped it to the top of the starter with several large hose clamps. The wire in the kit was just long enough to get over there and route it with a bit of slack. Unfortunately the bracket that came with the kit didn't fit anywhere I could safely route the wires so I had to do a 'farmer fix' and improvise. So far so good, mowed and rode around quite a bit on bumpy ground and it hasn't moved.

[@docnez8562]

Before the conversion, was your tractor not starting?

[@m16gunslinger77]

It started but moisture had gotten into the distributor housing and it was misfiring a bit. It had gotten to a point it was losing power so I decided to upgrade to the Electronic Ignition kit to avoid points and condensors being an issue in the future.

[@docnez8562]

I had bought my 8N used, but operating. I made the mistake of spraying it down to wash off oil and mud, after I sprayed it the tractor hasn’t started since. After a overhaul, it will crank without turning on. I hope after converting the ignition system it will start. I is a good tractor, and I used it to grade my roads. Can’t wait to get it going.

[@docnez8562]

Thanks for the tutorial.

[@otwministries5956]

How did you get the old breaker plate out?

[@m16gunslinger77]

There's a retaining ring that holds it in that you have to take out. Then depending on the situation it should pull straight out. Mine was pretty corroded so I had to use some penetrating oil and a little force. If moisture got into the distributor it can be pretty bad so it may require multiple applications of PB Blaster or something similar.

[@otwministries5956]

Michael Naylor thank you so much! I was able to complete the ignition swap. Now my Dad’s 1947 tractor fires right up! Thanks so much for the video, Dad is 83 and gets a kick out of what we can find on KZbin!

[@m16gunslinger77]

So glad to hear that. I had trouble finding a good video on this and made this hoping it could help someone. So happy to hear you got it working!

[@EduardoAutoRepair]

U have part number ?

[@m16gunslinger77]

links in the description

[@rontron3]

you didn't show how you installed the fake spark plug thingy on the plate on top of the distributor. I don't need the 280 dollar kit. I just need the plate with that spark plug thingy and i'm not paying yesterdays tractor 280 dollars to get it. Your reply please

[@m16gunslinger77]

the plate came with the kit... thats why I didnt show it. if you dont buy the kit you dont get the plate with the adapter.....

[@hisexcellencytrump855]

Just letting you know, kit cost 280 dollars plus tax shipoing, just saying!!