I acquired a Ford 8n
 

I got it from one of my dad’s friends, Joe. He got it from his boss about 2 years ago. It was in his wife’s family since it was new, they had a farm in New Mexico. They brought it with them when they moved here, then he got a promotion and moved to Oklahoma and didn’t want to take it with him, so he gave it to Joe. He was going to get it running but lost interest and got tired of it taking up space in his garage, so he asked if I wanted it. I can’t turn down a free tractor. He said it last ran about 8 years ago. The motor and transmission were supposedly rebuilt and have about 75 hours on them. The hour meter shows just over 1600 if it’s accurate. It needs the carburetor cleaned, but I did put a battery in it and poured some fresh gas in the carb and it started. It only ran for a few seconds but it sounded good. The gas tank is full of rust and varnish, so that will need to be cleaned, and probably coated with sealer. Otherwise it should mostly just need regular maintenance stuff, change the oil, grease everything, etc. I’ll get more pictures soon.

Nice old tractor...have fun with it!

Thanks Beth!

Now that is a project a fella could get into. Congrats, I am pretty excited
here for you. Does it have the 6 volt system in it?
Ken

Thanks Ken. It has been converted to 12 volts. I may eventually convert it back to 6 volts. I know 12 is an upgrade, but I like to keep my tractors as close to stock as possible.

If the gas tank is rusty/leaky, new repops are readily available from Steiner tractor as well as other places and ah-FORD-able. :biggrin2:

So as impressive as the 8n looks in the pictures. What inquiring
minds such as mine are wondering. Catch any fish out of the boat
tarped up in photos?

Ken:bigthink:

I'd keep the 12 volts.... Starting performance is much better. Especially in cold weather.

Free tractor, some guys have all the luck!!!! Nice looking 8n, good luck with it.

I have seen them and may just buy one. If this one doesn’t leak I will at least try cleaning it first though.
That’s not mine, I took those first few pics at the PO’s house. My dad has a boat, him and my mom are always fishing, and have won quite a few bass tournaments. I’ve gone a few times, but never really got into it. I thought I had a picture of his boat, but I can’t find it.
Yeah, I know. If I keep it as a working tractor, I will probably keep the 12 volts. If I restore it I will probably go back to 6. My Farmall Cub is still 6 volts and always starts fine, but that is in a heated garage.
:biggrin2: Thanks!

I cleaned and rebuilt the carburetor, rigged up a temporary fuel tank, and took it for a ride yesterday. It runs good, and drives good in all gears, I didn’t notice any obvious issues. After that I washed it and changed the engine oil and filter, and drove it around a little more. Tonight I’m planning on taking the gas tank off so I can determine if it’s worth saving.

I ended up ordering a new reproduction gas tank, and it came in Thursday. It was the cheapest one I could find. The reviews were mostly good, a few said they had to open up the holes and bend stuff to make it fit. I put it in over the weekend, and it fit perfectly. I also cleaned the oil bath air cleaner, which was filthy. It’s all back together together now. I ordered a new sediment bowl, since the old one leaks, and a new fuel line. They are supposed to be here tomorrow. Next up I am probably going to change the transmission fluid, and grease everything up, then it should be about ready to put it to work when I get some attachments.

After that I took it for a ride, and got some better pictures.

Sweet. There are only 2 non IH tractors I would buy, a Ford 9N/8N and an Oliver Super 44. Nice job on the Ford.

Congratulations on your new to you 8N! I am an IH fan, with mostly IH tractors; several Cubs and Cub Cadet. But I got my love for tractors as a kid spending time each summer on my Uncle's farm. He had 2 8N's and I rode many hours with him doing various field work.
A couple years ago I had a dear neighbor who had a '51 8N. He passed away unexpectedly. I was helping his widow liquidate his various tractors, implements a barn stuff. I was cleaning up and servicing the 8N to sell. I couldn't let it go... I bought it from her (she wanted to give it to me). It runs great and I'm about ready to paint it.
I hope you enjoy your 8N as much as I do!

Me on my Uncle's 8N, about 58 years ago.

Thanks. I like all tractors, but the two big ones I wanted were a Farmall Cub and an N series Ford, and now I have both.
Thanks. I like all tractors, but I’m mostly an IH guy too. So far, I’m really liking this tractor. I can’t wait to get some attachments so I can actually use it. Cool picture too.

I got the new sediment bowl and fuel line on. No leaks so far. The last picture is the old sediment bowl. I should have got a picture of the old fuel line too, but I didn’t. It was cut in 2 places and had short pieces of rubber fuel line between the pieces. Not sure if they did that to make it easier to remove the hood or carburetor, or if the line got damaged and that was how they fixed it.