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The end of the road?

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Andy - Hammond,

04-27-2002 06:51:51




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I am seriously considering selling my 8N. I have nothing but problems with it and I have spent so much time/work on it. If you recall I got it stuck in the mud a couple weeks ago and then again this past weekend. I mean with the lack of rain we have had - I am really surprised that it got stuck at all. Truly amazing - just a tiny soft spot. Guess I have all of the luck ;-)

In any case, I have totally rebuilt the carb, governor, oil & fuel lines replaced, fuel tank restored, complete tune-up, brand new alternator and brand-new heavy gauge wiring system with diode. Everything worked fabulously after I replaced the 3rd alternator on it. Now it won't start again. Still partially stuck but dry as a bone, it won't start. Recharged the battery completely, drained the fuel bowl and line, etc.

Seems like every other day I am working on this thing just to make it run for one session. In fact, it seems that I can hardly get a complete session out of it. I have good compression at 120 across the board. My oil pressure was really good when it ran, but I just don't know if I truly want to deal with it right now.

I am only using the N for some mild bushogging and that is it. No plowing, discing, etc. In fact most of the things I do with it can be accomplished with my garden tractor. 27HP unit.
Dunno - just feel kinda bad about it all --- the riding mower is just so much more reliable. I know that this tractor is 50 years old but with the time and $$$ I have spent I could have went on a trip around the world. :-) haha

thanks for reading -
Andy

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Dave Smith

04-28-2002 05:52:44




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 Re: The end of the road? in reply to Andy - Hammond, LA, 04-27-2002 06:51:51  
Andy, What would you do without a good challenge? All this computer stuff is a wiz to you so you need some challenge to keep you on you're toes.
Dave <*)))><



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screaminghollow

04-28-2002 05:11:52




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 Re: The end of the road? in reply to Andy - Hammond, LA, 04-27-2002 06:51:51  
I bought my 8n in 1992. It ran great for a year and then wouldn't start at all, gas just dripped out the carb. Spent hours trying to figure it out, cussing the whole time. Then I calmly tried adjusting the carb one day, and for no apparent reason, it started right up and ran another few years. In 1998, my brother was pulling a log with it and when the log hit a stump, the tractor stalled out. Couldn't start it all all. Rebuilt the carb, had spark etc. tried at least a half dozen times to figure it out, had spark one time and not the next. Got thoroughly discourage. Left it in the bushes for two years. Drug it out with the truck last year and put in a new battery, no spark. used a continuity tester to make sure the juice was getting through properly. Carefully went through each wire, coil condensor etc. Seems the points were jammed closed and wouldn't open. I lightly pried them apart with a small screwdriver and saw a piece of what appeared to be a wood shaving stuck behind the flexible arm. I don't know how it got there. I never messed with the points before. After I removed the offending piece, I double checked that the points were set right, and that they were opening and closing right. Darn thing has run perfectly ever since. We are back in good graces with each other.

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9N'er

04-28-2002 04:05:20




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 Re: The end of the road? in reply to Andy - Hammond, LA, 04-27-2002 06:51:51  
Andy,

grit your teeth and get through this rough spot with you 8N relationship. There are therapy groups, counciling sessions, and support groups for the mechanically N frazzled mind and body. If anything, seek a support group like this forum to not only fix it, but fix it to be reliable.

Once you find balance and peace, take it slow and easy. Put it aside. Let it sit for a few days, weeks, or months. Then, when you have the energy to devote to it, calmly and systematically go through the ignition. Battery to plugs and back to the battery charging system.

Is it a side or front mount distributor?

Otherwise sell it.... but you've gone too far as the rest of us and the point of return? forget it. Once you have one of these...you're beyond the point of no return.

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Bob in NY

04-27-2002 20:43:13




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 Re: The end of the road? in reply to Andy - Hammond, LA, 04-27-2002 06:51:51  

Naw. Just rough pavement. You've got your work covered with the garden tractor, so consider the Ford to be "therapy". After a rough day at work, shift gears, and get grubby clothes on and get greasy. So you don't fix it right away?, use the garden tractor, and get greasy another day. As others have said, these tractors are 50 years old, and are not rocket science. Attitude! Bob in NY



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Paul8n

04-27-2002 20:17:17




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 Re: The end of the road? in reply to Andy - Hammond, LA, 04-27-2002 06:51:51  
Andy,
Stop whinning! First off you have become the master of parts replacement. Second you have 12 volt. You must get to the point where you can understand it all just like you do computers. Quit throwing parts at it, go through it totally. Most problems with computers is software and you just wipedisc and re-do it. In tractors you can't wipedisc, you must start at beginning and go through it. I know you can do this!!!!! !!!!! !!! I also know you love Toyota's beacuse they run and run. So do 8n's. Remember them TOY's aren't 50 years old and thats why they run. Same principle. Sit down, pull distributor, open cold one and take care of it. Chances are you have done something incorrectly and that is the problem. Don't ask why I know this. Take time and take care.
Sincerely, Paul

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ANDY, ANDY, ANDY,........DON TX

04-27-2002 15:20:22




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 Re: The end of the road? in reply to Andy - Hammond, LA, 04-27-2002 06:51:51  
Where is your competitive spirit? You goin' to let that 50 yr old tractor beat ya? Determination, my man. I know where yer comin' from. Been there too many times. Step back, catch yer breath, and swing with determination. I promise you'll get it. Don't let yersef down.(%^)HTH.
DON TX



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9n141

04-27-2002 17:50:17




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 Re: Re: The end of the road? in reply to ANDY, ANDY, ANDY,........DON TX, 04-27-2002 15:20:22  
Keep it!!! I have several Fords & some will try your patience, Your in the wrong mood to sell. I bought one from a fellow like you great buy all work done, I paid a mechanic 2 hours lab. $50.00 parts. We both felt bad, so much so,I SOLD back to him 1 mo. later! Some days you make money, some days you make friends. GOOD LUCK!!!



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Jim Ct

04-27-2002 10:07:50




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 Re: The end of the road? in reply to Andy - Hammond, LA, 04-27-2002 06:51:51  
Well some aren't going to like it but our policy has always been BE GOOD OR BE GONE.Apply it to everything.As a farm policy you get rid of the problem animal then everyone always says what nice animals you have and my parents bred horses and my mother raised Brangus before she was married so trust me its the only policy you need.
JIM



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Salmoneye

04-27-2002 09:50:15




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 Re: The end of the road? in reply to Andy - Hammond, LA, 04-27-2002 06:51:51  
Dunno what to tell you other than that my 48 8N is one of the most reliable 'vehicles' I have.
Winter before last it was shedded all the time and started to 20 below even when I had to jump the Wifes Jeep XJ.
This year I needed the space so she spent the winter in the yard with only a 5 gallon bucket on the shifter. Same story...started every time (except once when I left the lights on for 3 hours).

Keep at it and you'll figure it out and then there will be no more question in your mind about selling...

;-)

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Dell (WA)

04-27-2002 09:25:25




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 Re: The end of the road? in reply to Andy - Hammond, LA, 04-27-2002 06:51:51  
Andy..... ..I get the same feeling when I can't use Windows Explorer to delete a file in my computer. Am I going to have to reboot to DOS? (grin)

Now take a deep breath. . . . . .

Lets see, you've recharged your 12 volt battery. And you have fuel flow. Compression is good. That leaves the sparkies.

I know you know your tractor 12 volt conversion electrics and how it works and you have a voltmeter. Make certain you have volts at the frontmount ignition coil terminal. If not, find out why.

If yes, then remove your distributor and check your points. The points rubbing block can melt and loose the points gap. The points screw wearout and won't hold point gap clearance. You may need to replace the #8-3/16 screw, it'll look good but it won't hold.

If that doen't fix your sparkies, you've probably lunched you frontmount ignition coil again..... ....Dell

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roperboy

04-27-2002 09:12:10




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 Re: The end of the road? in reply to Andy - Hammond, LA, 04-27-2002 06:51:51  
andy, take a break from it if you can. you might regret selling it. its probably something so simple you might just be overlooking. hang in there brother .just sit back and think about it for awhile. wish i was closer and could help ya.



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Indy

04-27-2002 09:01:59




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 Re: The end of the road? in reply to Andy - Hammond, LA, 04-27-2002 06:51:51  
I would keep the n. It will come in handy a lot.

Can we still post pictures on the ----- --is the password different?..... Thanks indy



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Martin (IN)

04-27-2002 09:32:09




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 Re: Re: The end of the road? in reply to Indy, 04-27-2002 09:01:59  
Hey Indy,

Type in PASSWORD in the search field at the top of main page.Scroll down till you find Andy's
post.

Martin (IN)



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Rob 9N

04-27-2002 08:35:57




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 Re: The end of the road? in reply to Andy - Hammond, LA, 04-27-2002 06:51:51  
Andy I sympathize with you. Last year my 9N had similar problems. Sat out in the yard for 2 weeks. Just killed me to not have it in it's garage. Multiple problems. Not to rub it in but it's better now than ever. Started all thru the winter, any time I wanted. It dosen't have the oil pressure I'd like to see but it's got tons of torque. Pulls my trucks out of the mud without so much as a cough. I would put some place out of sight and take a break from it. You've got a garden tractor that can do the job, so you are covered. You know when you do get it fixed, it will only make things easier. And a broke 8N can't be worth what a running one is.

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Jack - Illinois

04-27-2002 07:26:18




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 Re: The end of the road? in reply to Andy - Hammond, LA, 04-27-2002 06:51:51  
Sorry to hear of all the grief. I usually go with the old saying "Man made it - Man can fix it", but in your case I am sure I would be getting very disappointed with it all! If you do decide to keep it, maybe a coat of "Lemon Yellow" would make you feel better.



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2NTim

04-27-2002 07:20:31




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 Re: The end of the road? in reply to Andy - Hammond, LA, 04-27-2002 06:51:51  
Jeez...ya GOTTA be at the 1 inch line with it with all you've done! What can I say to convince you to keep it?

You've no doubt done all the obvious things...carb's getting fuel...ya got spark at the plugs...but, it'd be a shame to give up on the lady now.

I'd come over and help...but it looks like yer in Louisiana and my wife would probably brand me as stupid seeing as how we're in Ohio. :=)

Good luck, and try not to give up!

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