Will it drive? Can we Get the $250 Ford 8N Tractor Moving Again?

We know it runs but will the 73 year old $250 Ford 8N tractor drive?

[@dwills631]

Great little tractor. I've owned a 1952 8N for 22 years. Done a lot of work with it over the years and it will start on the first crank without fail. My son bought a house on 3.5 acres 3 years ago about an hour and a half drive from me. I took it and the brush hog so he could clean up the back half of his new place. He calls me one day and says he bought a finish mower and I've only seen my tractor on occasion since then. He still uses it weekly to mow the entire 3.5 acres. I need to do a little work on my lawn and when mowing season is over he's going to let me borrow my tractor. Ha ha Great video.

[@rrrestorations5047]

Great to know the 8N will be good for taking care of the grass. Mine came with a finishing mower. Needs some work but it will beat the heck out of the small riding mower.

[@TF856]

Didn't you ever learn to get all related bolts started before you tighten any of them? 😁😉

[@hermit1249]

I have a Ford 9N ('39-'42) .. starts/runs like top, it has a hi/low speed Sherman tranny... Those little tractors were built to last TWO lifetimes!

[@rrrestorations5047]

They seem to be really great tractors!

[@scrapeyhawkins5299]

Love those Shermans

[@alancampbell1008]

You've had a good bargain there for $250, lovely little tractor.

[@fredmeebley]

Nice job on a classic, but no tractor is complete without some implements to put it to work with.

[@adrianmcmorris200]

It's nice to see a good lookin' everyman just naturally handy with this type of stuff and is able to explain everything clearly for us joe shmo's taking a crack at DIY of our own. Love the content and keep it up!

[@jackgaither2419]

A good buy!!!!

[@rrrestorations5047]

Waw high praise! Thanks for the comment and welcome aboard!

[@stevefarms7494]

To make it run better is to hook up the air filter so the carburetor is not sucking in all that dirt in the carb

[@broncodude6299]

I just finished watching the first video, asked about the charging system. 12V or 6V. Pulled this one up and at :52 I got my answer. 12V conversion. I just did that upgrade in my ‘52. Generator went out and battery was way past time to replace. The generator was going to cost $350, new battery in my area, $150. Hard to swallow $500 bill when money is tight. HOWEVER, conversion kit with alternator, wiring, brackets was $141. New 12V battery to fit that tray, $70 at Wally World. $211 for the win, and it fires on less that one full crank. 😁 You should get a fan shroud for her. 👍

[@paulknoblock8797]

Vicegrips got this 8N going again! Great video!

[@chuckfry1227]

Need to tighten the oil filter bracket to the block before you crack the line from vibration.

[@TF856]

I sincerely hope you have all of your tractor videos in a playlist.

[@quinnoneill3329]

These videos keep getting better, loving the content!

[@rrrestorations5047]

Glad you like them!

[@lindanelson8400]

Hello, I came across your channel and watched a couple videos. I like what I'm seeing so I subscribed. Keep up the good work. 👍

[@rrrestorations5047]

Thanks Linda and Welcome Aboard!

[@davidfist7801]

Lookin' good! I think you've got a winner there. Just a note of caution though: I was always told you should warm those old engines up for 5 minutes or so; otherwise, the rings won't be fully expanded and you could score the cylinders. Don't know if that's a real risk, but I always do it just in case.

[@rrrestorations5047]

Just like starting a car in the winter here! Thanks for the tip!

[@jackhendrickson8940]

Don’t forget antifreeze.

[@alexandermitchell7434]

Sounds like you might need a head gasket. Why? There seems to be more noise coming from that part of the engine under a height per than idle. Otherwise, you made a good buy!

[@dfores5602]

this is awesome!

[@jeffreyweldon6903]

It looks like a fun project.....check for a cracked exhaust manifold as it sounds way too poppy for an N series...great buy overall though...

[@TheRumrunner101]

Tractor Supply has exhaust pipes with the muffler for unddr 75 bucks. Napa auto parts has the fuel bowl gaskets. I lovemy little 49 8 N

[@rrrestorations5047]

Thanks for the info! Its a pretty great tractor

[@roadwarrior1157]

you need to change the generator pulley to the alternator

[@jamessmith7691]

The motor may have swapped or assembled at the factory. The 9n had the distributor on the front. Is this a 3 or 4 speed ? The grill has two small levers that flip out and allow the grill to tip ahead. Makes it nice for cleaning trash out. You got one heck of a deal.

[@rrrestorations5047]

I will have to take a look for those levers when I assemble the air filter. Thanks for the tip!

[@rrrestorations5047]

Its a 4 speed transmission.

[@Anthony-nr1nd]

I just acquired an old ford backhoe I believe it’s a 1940’s-1950’s Ford 800, it started life as a tractor and then ended up being a full time backhoe! It’s amazing how things were done back in the day! And these machines are truly a work horse! For it being gas and not diesel I am truly impressed on how it operates! I will post a video of it soon on my other channel so I can share it with everyone because there seems to be not many on KZbin and I will share the history of this machine! I own 82 acres of land and I’m so happy I got this for my beginner made farm! 😅cheers!

[@donmacdonald7758]

Great job on the 8N. I own a 1939 9N, runs like new. Which province are you in? Just subscribed, thanks from the shores of Georgian Bay

[@rrrestorations5047]

I'm up in Manitoba. Thank you and welcome aboard!

[@donmacdonald7758]

@@rrrestorations5047 I thought it was on the prairies, saw grain bins.

[@rrrestorations5047]

Yep prairies born and raised!

[@KenthGustafsson300]

They didn´t have a 4cyl engine so they taka apart a flathead v8 to 4cyl...

[@gkvfr24]

You mentioned having to stop and chane gear . Can you not just double clutch while moving( to change gear?

[@rrrestorations5047]

You can but it’s a heavy clutch with a long release and is a bit awkward. It’s easier to stop and change.

[@brianferguson6278]

That was a very good purchase, tires are looking a bit worn? I would suggest that you look at your exhaust ( muffler) before you burn up the valves. May also want to look at the exhaust manifold, it may have deformed at the connect to # 4 exhaust port( rear cylinder) With the Ford 9n, 2n and 8n they have a history of requiring attention in this area. A new manifold is $100.00 +/-, but some have tack welded the manifold around this port and hand machined the manifold to correct for the manifold defection in this area. The tack welding is just filler material. The other item heard was valve tappet settings they are hammering and need to be adjusted. This young lady will guide you through the process. kzbin.info/www/bejne/o5rNlH1obrSCd7c. As you high ball around in four gear remember those brake need to be pushed together, push one and you can flip the tractor. Have fun, enjoyed your video.

[@brianferguson6278]

This is a link if you find you have a manifold concern around the gasket on cylinder #4 (rear cylinder)...kzbin.info/www/bejne/iYWcmml8gJJnaJI. Hopefully you do not have this concern , a quick look around the port will show if you have escaping exhaust. A cheaper option than replacing the manifold. Just a reminder, we live in Canada, straight water needs to be drained from the Rad in just a few days as nights start to freeze.

[@rrrestorations5047]

Thanks for the information! Its getting cold here in the prairies so I'll be doing some winter maintenance soon.

[@doughboy1966]

Sounds like it has an exhaust leak.

[@byronstevens3790]

A real expert

[@alexandermitchell7434]

Sounds like you might need a head gasket. Why? There seems to be more noise coming from that part of the engine under a height per than idle. Otherwise, you made a good buy!