Working on EJ the 8N

[8ntruck 7,052]

I got deeper into EJ the 8N today.  We've had this tractor in storage for a few years near our KY. location.  Wanted to wake it up and use it on our property a little over a month ago, but no fire.  

 

At the time, I noticed that the charge wire between the alternator and battery was crispy.  The general plan was to come back and rewire it.

 

I started today by getting  the alternator tested.  It passed.  While I was removing the alternator, I noticed several other things amiss - the coil was not seated on the distributor,  the wire on the #2 alternator terminal was not fully seated, not all of the spark plug wires were fully seated in the distributor, and probably the biggest issue, what was the on/off switch the first time I owned the tractor was not connected to anything - whoever rewired the tractor for 12 volts, wired what used to be the headlight switch as the ignition switch.  Had I known that, we might have gotten EJ started last month.  However, he would not have been very safe running with the insulation melted off of the charge wire.  Probably just as well he didn't start.

 

Before reinstalling the alternator, I took the time to remove e the distributor.  I cleaned the distributor, coiil, cap, and ran a dollar bill through the points.  All looked good, so I put them back on.

 

I have the wiring harness about 1/2 out.  I picked up a toggle switch to use for the ignition.  Spent some time looking at the tractor and envisioning the new wiring harness.  Tonight, I'll do more studying on 8N 12 volt conversions with a volt meter.  Tomorrow, I'll stop by the auto supply store for a few odds and ends.  Hopefully ol' EJ will be out of hibernation by tomorrow evening.

 

Probably ought to drain the fluid in the gas tank that kind of smells like gas and treat him to some fresh non polluted gas while I'm at it.

 

Maybe some pictures tomorrow.

[ebinmaine 67,939]

[T-Mo-(Moderator) 4,508]

Is this a front mount distributor?  Also, I would highly recommend you get the push button starter on the gear shift functioning for safety purposes.  Most of the parts you can find on the 'net.  Below is a few places that carry mainly 8N parts:

 

https://www.dennis-carpenter.com/

 

https://www.just8ns.com/

 

https://fixthatford.com/?fbclid=IwAR3Vp_oah4dhpuLvTARKpsRl8_Oy5yCTq9Qmuu7YP0Vd2SssbkZ156AycsY

 

https://arthurstractors.com/

 

https://www.brokentractor.com/c/ford-new-holland-tractor/

 

There is also yesterday's tractors that sell parts for Ford tractors.

[T-Mo-(Moderator) 4,508]

Just in case you don't know about this site:  https://www.ntractorclub.com/forums/manuals/manuals.htm

[8ntruck 7,052]

Thanks for the references to other sites.

 

Almost got EJ back together today.  Got stopped by running out of crimp on termanals late in the afternoon.  About 5 more connections, then we will be ready for the smoke test.

 

Not sure this tractor ever had a neutral switch - unless the safety is some sort of mechanical interlock on the starter button next to the shift lever.  Have to look that up in the service manual.  Some previous owner un wired the  stock starter switch and replaced it with a push button on the dash.  The dash switch has always worked well.  You know - if it ain't broke, don't  fix it.

[T-Mo-(Moderator) 4,508]

The starter button in front of the shifter has forks that go around the shifter below the panel that when in any gear will not allow the button to be depressed.  When in neutral, the button can be depressed to start the tractor.  There is a video on youtube that shows a guy getting run over  with his 2N because of not having the proper starter button functional and not checking to see if the tractor is in neutral.

 

Below is the setup.  Item 7229 is the lock that goes around the shifter to lock it and while item 11500 is the starter button.

[8ntruck 7,052]

@T-Mo  I found that diagram in my service manual last night.  Looks like something to look into once I get a permanent shop in our Ky location to work on the tractor.

 

I finished off the new wiring today.  Push the starter button, EJ cranks.  Turn the ignition on and no magic smoke escaped.  Crank with the ignition on, no fire.  Give him a huff of starting fluid, still no fire.  I've got power at the coil, so I pulled the distributor again to check the point gap.  Just for grins I checked for continuity with the points closed.  Upon closer inspection, the points were not closing. 

 

I have a new set of points, so I decided to install them.  The old points were hard to get off of the pivot pin in the distributor.  The new points went on with about the same resistance as the old ones came out.  By this time, I had the points plate out of the distributor.  The spring on the new points could not close the points.  Either the pivot pin is damaged, or the points of offshore origin have a bore that is too small.

 

Whatever the case, I was out of time to work on EJ this trip, so I packed the distributor and the air cleaner into the truck for more complete inspection and cleaning once we get back to our MI location.  

 

[8ntruck 7,052]

Got back to EJ the 8N today.  I pulled the distributor off and took it to Michigan, where I've got a regular work bench instead of using the truck tailgate in a poorly lit, dusty warehouse.  I got a set of premium Blue Streak points and installed them.  Had to file clearance in the mounting bolt holes to get the correct gap setting.  I also discovered that I was missing some gaskets in the distributor.  I also discovered that the distributor shaft and bushings were worn. 

 

Time, again was an issue, so the distributor went back together and back onto the engine with the worn shaft/bushings.  Figured it was running with these components before, so it will probably run with them again.  Not optimal, but I need a running tractor now, rather than a perfect one later.  Parts will be ordered and those issues will be addresses at a later time.

 

After tweaking the spring fingers on the distributor end of the plug wires to improve the friction fit in the cap, EJ came to life. My rewire job seems to be good.  The volt meter on the dash reads 15 volts, but the digital multi meter reads 13.9 at the battery, so all is good.

 

His hydraulics made the attached brush hog go up and down, all of the gears worked, the pto made the bush hog spin, so we loaded him up on a tilt bed trailer and drove him out to our 20 acre wood.  While waiting for left turn lights in adjacent  left turn lanes. I got a couple of grins and thumbs up from other drivers.

 

While reinstalling the air cleaner, I shined a flashlight into the carb.  Man, it it filthy in there.  Looks like, I'll be taking both the carb and distributor with me for further work.

 

Lots of other items need to be addressed.  List is being developed.  Brakes are near the top of that list.  I won't always have an implement attached to drop as a substitute.

 

Yes, I know pictures are mandatory.  I have not figured out how to get them from one device to another and attached here.  Probably next week.

[8ntruck 7,052]

We were at the property late Wednesday.  Got the grader blade moved into the woods, out of sight from the road and mounted the brush hog.  I discovered that one of the ring pins was missing on the 3 point, so I didn't attempt any work with the implements.  Also noticed that both front tires were in severe need of air.

 

Quiet, wet Thanksgiving, so we did not get out to the property.  Got up early this morning to visit Harbor Freight's black Friday sale.  Left with a portable garage and a small pancake air compressor - spent less than $300. 

 

Charged up the tank on the compressor, went out to the property.  Filled the front tires, put the ring pin in place on the bush hog, and used the deck of the bush hog to carry the camp kitchen equipment back into the woods.  We've stuck the truck back there twice this week.  EJ is not bothered by the damp clay.  He is also much more manuverable than the truck.  Large diameter tires with a very aggressive tread help, too.

 

We got the camp kitchen set up, took a walk evaluating potential house building sites.  Had enough to do a little bush hogging along our road frontage.  Found some wild black raspberry bushes in the process - I mowed around them.

 

We used our cast iron Dutch oven to cook an oversize (3 person size) foil dinner for a late lunch in the woods.

 

We are all set to cook a traditional Thanksgiving dinner in the woods for the family dinner tomorrow.

 

 

[8ntruck 7,052]

Back in our Michigan location this afternoon.

 

Thanksgiving dinner in the woods was a success. 

 

Bought a HF 10'x17' portable garage on Black Friday - under $200.  I'm hoping to get maybe 2 winters out of it.  Set it up Sunday and Monday.

 

EJ the 8N just fits with the bush hog attached.  I've pulled his battery and drained the gas tank, so he is bedded down for a while.  

 

I'll make a trip to Ky, probably in January to get a few small things taken care of.  I'll pull his carb while I'm there and take it home for a cleaning and rebuild.

[8ntruck 7,052]

Pictures!

 

EJ leaving the warehouse.

 

EJ out in the woods.

 

[T-Mo-(Moderator) 4,508]

Nice looking 8N.

[8ntruck 7,052]

. It looks good from afar, but it is far from good.  Got a to do list on it about 3 yards long.  Since I've gotten it out to our woods, brakes and axle seals have risen rapidly to the top of that list.  That picture was taken at one of the 'more reasonably' leves spots on the property.  For reference, the shed behind the tractor is plumb.....