Ford 8n front distributor

skipstein

Member
Hello All;
I am considering buying a Ford 8n tractor. Apparently this one has a front distributor. I am not sure of the year of the tractor. I have a few questions, if I may:
1. Opinons of the n tractor front distributor versus the side mount unit?
2. What years did the n tractor have the front mounted distributor?
3. What years did the n tractor have the side mounted distributor?
4. Comments and oipinons on electronic distributor systems on the Ford n tractors?
Thanks,
Skip
 
Do yourself a huge favor look for another tractor. Personal experience speaking here. You can get a 2000 or 3000 for a little more money and have a great little piece of machinery. Go to the n forum on here and you will see many no start issues, brake problems, etc. The problems run thru out the n line.
 
8N front mount was made from 1948 to early 1950. Then some time around April or May the cam out with the side mount distributor. To me a front mount distributor tractor is worth about half of what a side mount is since they tend to be more problematic. As for electronic ignitions you can buy a lot of new points for the cost on it and well frankly the point systems tend to be bullet proof.
 
Hi don't worry about the front distributor they worked fine on the Foed N series from 1939 thur the early 1950's, forget the electronic a good set of points and condenser work just as good and no worry about reverse polarity frying the system, I've had a 8N for over 35 yrs and its been and still is an excellent tractor it has given me no more problems than any other tractor I own, I mowed hundreds of hours with a 3 pt rotary cutter and a 3pt finishing mower. they are not a loader tractor (or much of one) if that's what you need or want then look for a different tractor.
GB in MN
 
I have had less problems with the front mount dist. than the side mount ? The side mtd. one seemed to have the fan blade blow everything into it shorting it out and the parts sold for it did not fit right to seal it up good enough. Frt. mtd ones you can easily remove the complete unit and take it to your workbench and fix it. Many of the problems with them are they are just worn out. I make new bushings for them. But now I think you can buy a whole new unit.
I like the later tractors though as the have both brake pedals on the RH side. and 1 more gear in the trans. IIRC ?
Better yet buy a later model tractor with more features.
 
I have had Ns, Hundred Series and now own a couple of Thousand Series Fords.
Though the Ns are good tractors, my best advice is to spend a bit more and buy a 600, 800, 2000, 3000 or 4000. You will get a LOT more bang for your buck.
And then go ahead and put electronic ignition in it. If you are smart enough to not get your battery cables reversed EI is SOOO much more reliable than those damn points.
 
All I can say. Is be careful about tune up parts for the front mount. I bought three rotors and two sets of points. Before I found the ones that would fit. And yes one set came from NAPA didn't fit.
 
I own one of each, I haven't had many problems with points / distributors on either tractor. More than the distributer is two other differences between the early and late model 8N's, the steering box and the rear wheel seals. The later models with the side mount distributor have an improved steering box, many of the early 8N's have steering box problems, they have a lot of wear and are sloppy or bind, the later ones have an improved steering box and a telltale hump in the dash beside the Proofmeter (tachometer) IMO this is reason alone to look for the newer model side distributor 8N. The newer model has a better setup for the rear wheel seals too, the older ones are notorious for leaking rear end oil into the brakes and onto the rear wheel causing brake problems and a big greasy mess.

I use my side distributor 8N all the time because it doesn't have the steering or brake issues the older one has, fixing the older one's steering is expensive, the wheel seals are easy to replace but prone to leak again in a few years.
 
I have some big hands, so for me it's always been easier to remove the whole front-mounted distributor, work on everything on a shop bench, and then reinstall the distributor.
My $.02 worth.
 
Hello All;
Thank you for all your comments, insights and thoughts. All are warranted. I am beginning to think this might a later 8n as it does have both brake pedals on the right side. Also, is a 4 speed. I was not really aware of the ditributor difference when I looked at it. (research dummy...) I don't remember a proofmeter or tach on the unit. I will check it out a bit more this weekend. When I drove it a week ago, it did seem hard to steer, but I am not at all experienced with driving a tractor. The last time being 50 years ago as boy on my Grandfather farm. Regarding steering, are their any adjustments or alignments that can improve the steering? I did notice that it has the 16" wider wheels on the front, is that a distinctive sign?
Thanks again All for your help I am sure I will be back with many mnore questions. I will update if and when I take delivery. I will pass on the serial number for your suggested date of manufacture.
I grew up in the Detroit area and Ford was a big part of my childhood, so a Ford 8n vintage tractor seemed satisfactory to me. Time will tell...
Happy trails!
Skip
 
"a later 8n as it does have both brake pedals on the right side."
All of the 8Ns had both brakes on the right, it was the earlier
9N/2N's that had one on each side. Kind of confusing.

"Also, is a 4 speed."
Same here, 8N vs 9N/2N

"are their any adjustments or alignments that can improve the steering?"
Yes there are, along with some general maintenance that may
have been neglected over the years. When you get it all settled
join us over on the N forum [b:4ee150898f]here[/b:4ee150898f] on YT and we'll be glad to help.
 

For us that understand EI its the cats meow for those that don't they trash talk it into the ground,,, Side mounts were born to easily convert to 12V and a EI set up 6 are 12V. Front mounts are a PITA EI are points I part out all the ft mts I can get my hands on at salvage price. Quality parts for a 70 year old front mount dist are just not available. Parts are available new but they are junk...

One thing a N holds the #1 spot on is myths that have been dreamed up that hold no water other than its been said so many times the followers replete it as a fact... A no start post on a Ft Mt can go 3 pages long are more :shock: and that's on a original 6V with points set up... A no crank post can grow to 7/10 pages...

Its a entry level tractor so you will get entry level advice 90% of the less skilled will post something that has no diagnostic value...Poor advice and lack of mechanical ability leads to hacking it up and folks being proud of it. One thing about moving up as the dawg recommended is the level of good advice increases with the higher level of tractor you need help with.
Unlike the N side poor advice gets called out as poor advice.

Advice on the N side its more about being one of the good old boys, on the Ford side its more about the betterment of the community...

I enjoyed every min. fix'N up my N's I needed few silver bullets it was more about the challenge. I had never had the opportunity to fudge with a flathead it was a notch in my pistol grip to go there and make it better than new...

A 40/50 year old tractor most of the time will have better technology/advancements and less ware than a 60/70 tractor. :idea: for not much more money 8)
 
Hello Gambles;
I have watched several youtube videos on the front mount distributor and they all take it out for service. Have you ever ran into any issues in the R&R of the fron t mount distributor?
Thanks for your thoughts.
Skip
 
Hello Royse;
Thank you for your concise information. I will be back at you and your fellow tractor experts for advise on the steering and I am sure many more questions. Again, I have no experience with steering the tractor in question, other than driving it around for a few minutes on
somewhat uneven ground.
Thanks again, I do appreciate the help. This is a dream of many moons taking shape...
Skip
 
Hi Hobo NC;
Thank you for yoiur insights. I will probably end up with this 8n, so I guess I will have to live and learn with it. One fact I forgot to mention in this post is that the tractor, as I understand, has already been converted to 12 volt. From what you mentioned, is this unusual for
a FM 8n?
I apporeciate all your thoughts folks, as they say ...opinions are like AH we all have one... I look forward to them all.
Thanks,
Skip
 
I have not had any R&R problems, but will admit that I don't own any Ford tractors, just worked on a few.
 

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