Ford 8N Tractor Starting Problems
Bart Weller
clearing snow off the driveway, and general messin' around. The first
few times I used it, it started right up. Recently, though, I've had
lots of problems getting it started. My suspicions are that that it is
flooding, since I can see the plugs are getting spark. The plug points
are pitch black, so it would appear the fuel mix is too rich. But maybe
this is normal for 8N plugs?
Symptoms yesterday: it would kick once or twice, then the starter would
disengage. Choking had no effect, and there was some backfiring, which
makes me think it was flooding. Starter fluid had no effect which would
also be consistent with flooding.
Symptoms today: started immediately with no choking. After warming up
for a few minutes, I moved it about 100 yards. Then while it was idling
for about 5 minutes, it started sputtering and died. When trying to
restart, it wouldn't kick over at all. After letting sit for a few
hours, it would kick once or twice, but not much else.
Since the gas tank sits above the engine, perhaps a worn needle valve
in the carburetor is causing the flooding, if this is indeed the
problem. The carburetor appears to have two adjustments, but I don't
know which does what.
I'm going to call Central Tractor to see if I can get a manual, but any
help in the meantime would be appreciated. I love these old tractors,
but they're more lovable when they run!
Barry Thomas
I should let my friends on the antique tractor list answer this, but the
carb on the 8N is simple to rebuild. Kits are available from Ford-New
Holland. It could be a sticking float. Could be junk in the carb.
8Ns didn't have fuel filters, except for the small screen in the tank.
Good luck
Barry Thomas
tho...@indiana.edu
d...@netcom.com
: I recently bought an old Ford 8N (circa 1952?) for creasing the pasture,
: few times I used it, it started right up. Recently, though, I've had
: lots of problems getting it started. My suspicions are that that it is
: flooding, since I can see the plugs are getting spark. The plug points
: are pitch black, so it would appear the fuel mix is too rich. But maybe
: this is normal for 8N plugs?
<snip>
: Since the gas tank sits above the engine, perhaps a worn needle valve
: in the carburetor is causing the flooding, if this is indeed the
: problem.
<snip>
Don't overlook the possibility that the float has a crack in it allowing
fuel to enter and change its boyancy. BTW ... If it is a float or
needle valve problem there should be evidence of fuel leaking if you allow
it to sit awhile, not running, with the fuel turned on.
Dan d...@netcom.com
Dick Parsons
: I recently bought an old Ford 8N (circa 1952?) for creasing the pasture,
: few times I used it, it started right up. Recently, though, I've had
: lots of problems getting it started. My suspicions are that that it is
: flooding, since I can see the plugs are getting spark. The plug points
: are pitch black, so it would appear the fuel mix is too rich. But maybe
: this is normal for 8N plugs?
<----- snip ----->
Maybe you should subscribe to the "Antique Tractor" mailing list.
Send an e-mail message to: antique-tra...@ledger.co.forsyth.nc.us
with the body of the message: subscribe
After you get subscribed post your Ford 8N problem and you'll get all
the help you will need.
Dick...
+--------------------------------+----------------------------------------+
| Dick Parsons | ---- |
| NRA Life Member | | o ~ |
| Certified: IPA IRA ISA IHA | L_|->_______I_ |
| Harris Controls Division | _/ \_| | |
| Melbourne, Florida | [| o |------_--[] "I'd rather be |
| email: dpar...@ccd.harris.com | ... \___/ (o) ... be farming!" |
+--------------------------------+----------------------------------------+
Steve Offiler
>Bart Weller (b...@ix.netcom.com) wrote:
>: I recently bought an old Ford 8N (circa 1952?) for creasing the pasture,
>: clearing snow off the driveway, and general messin' around. The first
>: few times I used it, it started right up. Recently, though, I've had
>: lots of problems getting it started. My suspicions are that that it is
>: flooding, since I can see the plugs are getting spark. The plug points
>: are pitch black, so it would appear the fuel mix is too rich. But maybe
>: this is normal for 8N plugs?
I wholeheartedly agree with Dick Parsons, who suggested subscribing to the
Antique Tractor Forum (mail list, not Usenet group). Seems there's not a
nicer, more helpful bunch on the whole 'net - present company excluded ;-)
Anyway, my 2 cents on your problem: it is possible that your carburetor and
fuel system need to be cleaned out. Crud in the tank, working its way into
the carburetor, is not uncommon with older machinery. Rebuilding the carb on
an old tractor couldn't be much simpler. Nice fresh gasoline never hurts
either.
Regards, Steve Offiler soff...@stealth.mc.ti.com
Amy Tetervin
>
>b...@ix.netcom.com (Bart Weller) wrote:
>>
>> I recently bought an old Ford 8N (circa 1952?) for creasing the pasture,
>> clearing snow off the driveway, and general messin' around. The first
>> few times I used it, it started right up. Recently, though, I've had
>> lots of problems getting it started. My suspicions are that that it is
>> flooding, since I can see the plugs are getting spark. The plug points
>> are pitch black, so it would appear the fuel mix is too rich. But maybe
We have a Massey Furgeson TO20 or TE20 (can't ever remember) and it's very
similar to the Ford 9N and probably the 8N. We have had episodes like
you describe and last spring my husband took the gas tank off and cleaned
it out thoroughly and we've had no problems since. Becasue it's a gravity
feed fuel system all the junk goes to the bottom and can cause intermittant
quiting when some of the junk gets sucked in. Also check the carburator
for dirt. Good luck- these old tractors can make a person insane.-Amy
>>
>
Mui Admininstrator
While pageing through a Mother Earth News mag the other day I saw
a tractor imported from China advertized ad $4999. It was 25 hp and has
a 3pt hitch. Being that this price seems to be 1/2 to 1/3 of the price of
brand named models, I am sceptical. Has anyone owned/used/seen these tractors?
(I would post this to the antique tractor list, but I KNOW they would laugh)
Mike Murphy
mvmu...@attmail.att.com
Geoffrey Leach
> While pageing through a Mother Earth News mag the other day I saw
>a tractor imported from China advertized ad $4999. It was 25 hp and has
>a 3pt hitch. Being that this price seems to be 1/2 to 1/3 of the price of
>brand named models, I am sceptical. Has anyone owned/used/seen these tractors?
That would probably be the offering from China Desil.
While I've never seen one of them, I do own one of the engines upon
which its (probably) based. Their engines are reliable, but not
much in the fit-and-finish department.
Same goes for the people at Chana Desil, come to think of it.
--
Geoffrey Leach C/C++/X11/Motif/OpenLook Implementation
ge...@netcom.com Mountain Ranch Software
P.O. Box 336
Mountain Ranch CA 95246
209-754-1869
Tropical Steve
: Speaking of tractors...
Id want to know if parts were available...and service. Hp. is rated
in so many different ways.....how is it rated..can you see one in action?
If it is that cheap it might pay to fly or drive to where you CAN see one do
some work. Get on that baby and put it through some paces. Guarantees?
ste...@kendaco.telebyte.com "Don't hate nuthin at all
ste...@four.net 'cept hatred"
sim...@linknet.kitsap.lib.wa.us
Mui Admininstrator
Tropical Steve <ste...@FOUR.net> wrote:
>Mui Admininstrator (mui...@cinodm.att.com) wrote:
>: Speaking of tractors...
>in so many different ways.....how is it rated..can you see one in action?
>If it is that cheap it might pay to fly or drive to where you CAN see one do
>some work. Get on that baby and put it through some paces. Guarantees?
>
>ste...@kendaco.telebyte.com "Don't hate nuthin at all
>ste...@four.net 'cept hatred"
>sim...@linknet.kitsap.lib.wa.us
All good points. From memory: the hp rating was stated as "25hp at 2000 rpm"
(i think). Is this a standard horse power measurement? The tractor itself is
guarantted and there is guarantee of parts availability, but no mention of
service. I plan on working on the tractor myself, but if needed will a shop
take on a no-name tractor? Thanks for all responses
Michael Murphy
mvmu...@attmail.at.com
Richard A. Smith
Admininstrator) writes:
> Speaking of tractors...
>
>
> While pageing through a Mother Earth News mag the other day I saw
>a tractor imported from China advertized ad $4999. It was 25 hp and has
>a 3pt hitch. Being that this price seems to be 1/2 to 1/3 of the price of
>brand named models, I am sceptical. Has anyone owned/used/seen these tractors?
>(I would post this to the antique tractor list, but I KNOW they would laugh)
Often these offers are motivated by another country's quest for U. S. cash.
The main points to consider is the reliability of the dealer or place of
purchase and the terms of the warrenty.
Several years ago Belrus made their small model available through other sources
such as Northern Hydraulic.
>
> Mike Murphy
> mvmu...@attmail.att.com