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Setting points

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Rod B

04-29-2008 17:03:18

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How in the world do you set the points on a 8n tractor, I've tried mirrors, sticking my fat head in between the fan and the water pump..... ..I just can't see what I'm doing.

Please advise

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Dunk

04-30-2008 20:51:54

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Re: I'm very sorry . in reply to Dell (WA), 04-29-2008 17:03:18

Sean (TX) said: (quoted from post at 21:49:12 04/30/08) O well lets have a drink instead!!!

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Sean (TX)

04-30-2008 17:49:12

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Re: I'm very sorry . in reply to Lumpy, 04-29-2008 17:03:18

O well lets have a drink instead!!!

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Dunk

04-30-2008 17:41:35

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Re: Found this Link Thanks to all ! in reply to Rod B, 04-29-2008 17:03:18

I understand every post in this topic, perfectly, what was said, what was meant, and why it was said.

Although I don't know most of the folks that posted them personally, I feel that I do, and understand why they said what they did.

I don't even disagree with any one of the posts.

I do think we should have tolerance where folks that are not used to us, and used to asking questions, and used to N tractors, are concerned.

I'm still trying to come up with a smoke and mirrors thing, where the mirror and the the radiator, and the head came in..

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Sean (TX)

04-30-2008 17:07:40

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Re: Found this Link Thanks to all ! in reply to Den N Ms, 04-29-2008 17:03:18

GB in MT. said: (quoted from post at 09:38:46 04/30/08)

Bruce;
I'm with you on this, Very frustrating to me to find that after all the info. given, covering his posted question, that we are now off on another subject, which I might add, is also covered in the I&T FO-4 manual, along with the answers to his orig. posted question.

Which was:

How in the world do you set the points on a 8n tractor, I've tried mirrors, sticking my fat head in between the fan and the water pump..... ..I just can't see what I'm doing.
Please advise

So now what are we supposed to do..... .??.... Publish the whole manual on here, to answer his orig. question????? ??

Very frustrating!!!!

Gary :?

I see your point question was setting the points and the link was how to set the timing...

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Dunk

04-30-2008 16:24:02

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Re: I'm very sorry . in reply to Rod B, 04-29-2008 17:03:18

No need to feel like that Rod.

Post away, and if folks have issues, Oh, Well!!!

BTW, these really are good folks, that answer many questions here, EVERY day, for many folks.

Read what helps, what doesn't help take it with a grain of salt and forget it, and go to the next post.

I hope you get your tractor running like you want it, and I will be more than happy to drank a beer, and try to answer any question you want to ask, any way you want to ask it.

I told you if you wanted to know how to bench time it, to just ask, JMOR beat me to that one.

I should have posted that part in my original post, that would have kept all of this from happening, but at the time I wasn't able to find the link.

Sorry you feel you had a bad experience, give us the chance to try to make it up to you.

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JMOR

04-30-2008 08:23:56

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Re: Found this Link Thanks to all ! in reply to Roger in Iowa, 04-29-2008 17:03:18

GB in MT. said: (quoted from post at 10:38:46 04/30/08)

Bruce;
I'm with you on this, Very frustrating to me to find that after all the info. given, covering his posted question, that we are now off on another subject, which I might add, is also covered in the I&T FO-4 manual, along with the answers to his orig. posted question.

Which was:

How in the world do you set the points on a 8n tractor, I've tried mirrors, sticking my fat head in between the fan and the water pump..... ..I just can't see what I'm doing.
Please advise

So now what are we supposed to do..... .??.... Publish the whole manual on here, to answer his orig. question????? ??

Very frustrating!!!!

Gary :?

Gary, the reason the topic "expanded" or "branched" was that early on MR in MN asked, "After points are set, and distributor reinstalled, how do you check the timing? If you loosen the screw on the side, can you rotate the assembly?"

I didn't & don't see any reason to leave his question unanswered, after all point gap & timing are close relatives & Dunk had already addressed the points question within 9 minutes of he post.

Sure, MR in MN could have started a new thread, but there are very few rules here. What's all the frustration about? I'm missing something I guess?

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JMOR

04-30-2008 08:23:45

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Re: Found this Link Thanks to all ! in reply to Roger in Iowa, 04-29-2008 17:03:18

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Rod B

04-30-2008 03:57:03

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Found this Link Thanks to all ! in reply to Rod B, 04-29-2008 17:03:18

I was checking the archieves and found this reply from Dell, answers all my questions !

Thanks

Earlier Dell WA helpful reply

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Bruce (VA)

04-30-2008 05:00:12

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Re: Found this Link Thanks to all ! in reply to Rod B, 04-30-2008 03:57:03

Hmmmmm ..... ....you asked how to set the points. The link here shows how to set the timing. There is a difference. What is it you are asking?

50 Tips

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GB in MT.

04-30-2008 07:38:46

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Re: Found this Link Thanks to all ! in reply to Bruce (VA), 04-30-2008 05:00:12

Bruce;
I'm with you on this, Very frustrating to me to find that after all the info. given, covering his posted question, that we are now off on another subject, which I might add, is also covered in the I&T FO-4 manual, along with the answers to his orig. posted question.

Which was:

How in the world do you set the points on a 8n tractor, I've tried mirrors, sticking my fat head in between the fan and the water pump..... ..I just can't see what I'm doing.
Please advise

So now what are we supposed to do..... .??.... Publish the whole manual on here, to answer his orig. question????? ??

Very frustrating!!!!

Gary :?

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Rod.........Sorry

04-30-2008 16:01:23

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I'm very sorry . in reply to GB in MT., 04-30-2008 07:38:46

"So now what are we supposed to do..... .??.... Publish the whole manual on here, to answer his orig. question????? ??

Very frustrating!!!!"

I'm sorry guys if I wasted your time or space on this great site, The pic that I found and the pic that JMOR posted Hit me like a ton of Bricks, "Big Duh" to me, A pic is worth a 1000 words.

On that note I think I'll watch from the shadows and not ask any more stupid or wasteful questions.

Thanks to all that replied.

Rod

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Bruce (VA)

04-30-2008 17:43:57

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Re: I'm very sorry . in reply to Rod.........Sorry, 04-30-2008 16:01:23

No need to feel that way. All I was seeking to clarify was that you wanted to know how to set the points. You would be surprised how some folks can confuse the terminology. You asked for info on points, got a link to set timing, and said that solved your problem. So, I was the one confused, which is nothing new!

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Dell (WA)

04-30-2008 00:27:36

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Re: Setting points in reply to Rod B, 04-29-2008 17:03:18

Rod..... ...everybody was having fun about yer points problem. Seriously, its a 2-bolt, 15-min job to REMOVE yer frontmount distributor and set the points (gap = 0.015) on the kitchen table. Just unsnap the 4-nipple cap and letter dangle. Remove 2-bolts. Bring squarecan ignition coil with you 'cuz the dangling springy-thingy is sometimes tricky to install in the hollow head of the condenser screw. Yoou can not install outta time 'cuz the distributor is driven by an off-set tang drive scheme. Just finger start yer 2-bolts and rotate the rotor until it drops into place and then tighten them. Snap yer cap on and yer done. Simple, eh? ..... ...respectfully, Dell, yer self-appointed sparkie-meister

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Excuse me..John,PA

04-30-2008 02:10:47

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Re: Setting points in reply to Dell (WA), 04-30-2008 00:27:36

Dell, thanks. Got the washing soda. Have a fiberglass sail boat hull fer the tub. Just finishing the repairs on a laboratory DC voltage source. DC up to 30VDC.

Remmnants from some old man's ESTATE.

Gett'n late for me. I goota commute to WASHINGTON every day fer awhile. Bumper to bumper average speed, 20 mph.

HURRY UP PEACH SEASON, HERE!!!!! !

Thanks fer the space. John

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JMOR

04-29-2008 20:40:38

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Re: Setting points in reply to GB in MT., 04-29-2008 17:03:18

MR in MN said: (quoted from post at 22:28:16 04/29/08) After points are set, and distributor reinstalled, how do you check the timing? If you loosen the screw on the side, can you rotate the assembly?

Go here:

[/img]Link

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MR in MN

05-02-2008 07:10:57

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Re: Setting points in reply to JMOR, 04-29-2008 20:40:38

Thanks for the link. So, after distributor is set and installed, the job is done, there is no final tweak, which is what I was wondering. After following the I-T manual, I was wondering if the procedure was a static rig, and a final tweak needed. Now I know! Thanks for the info.

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TennesseeMan

04-29-2008 18:09:27

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Re: Setting points in reply to Rod B, 04-29-2008 17:03:18

Yeah my 49 has a Front Mount and yep it's by far easier to pull the complete unit off to change everything out and make the adjustments. Now me, I'm not very fond of the front mount set up for that very reason. I'd like to find out who the nut was that came up with this invention. I'd say it's a good guess that he is long gone and buried. For that reason I'd like to dig him up and just slap him a good one throw dirt in his face and slam the lid closed. Just my opinion.

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Dave 2N

04-30-2008 09:08:20

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Re: Setting points in reply to TennesseeMan, 04-29-2008 18:09:27

After he designed that wonderful setup, he quit Ford and went to work for John Deere. There he designed the muffler replacement procedure for the JD letter series tractors: remove steering wheel, remove grill, remove nose cap, remove steering shaftnut, remove steering shaft, remmove hood--all so you can get at four 9/16" cap screws that hold the muffler!! And that's why many JD owners said "Screw this!!" and just cut a big hole in the hood. Which is also why some folks advertise "uncut hoods" at rather fancy prices.

I realize I got off on a JD rant here but I love my 2N even though we went through the frustrating exercise of replacing points, condensor, rotor and coil on my 2N just this past weekend.

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TennesseeMan

04-30-2008 14:05:07

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Re: Setting points in reply to Dave 2N, 04-30-2008 09:08:20

Hey Dave, your alright in my book. I too love my 49 8N. I just have to rant somedays. Maybe he's handing out buggy's at WalMart now.

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Bruce (VA)

04-29-2008 18:26:19

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Re: Setting points in reply to TennesseeMan, 04-29-2008 18:09:27

Actually..... I'm almost at the point that I like the frontmount better than my two sidemounts. I can really eyeball the point gap under a good light on the bench set the points at good angle w/o being bent over the side of the tractor. And, having dropped points screws inside of a distributor more than once in my life, I at least don't have to worry about that!

Some folks around here are older than me, but I believe the front distributor first arrived on the 85hp 1932 Ford V-8.

50 Tips

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Ross Pugh(NC)

04-30-2008 07:49:05

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Re: Setting points in reply to Bruce (VA), 04-29-2008 18:26:19

Bruce, I am like you, everybody likes the side mount, but only 'cause the don't understand the front mount. Just a minor inconvenience for a few minutes to put it back on, and you don't have to do it very often. I too, have one of each and wouldn't turn my hand over for the difference.

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36 coupe

04-30-2008 03:22:51

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Re: Setting points in reply to Bruce (VA), 04-29-2008 18:26:19

Ford used the front mount 32 thru 48.A change in 42 made it easier to work on but I dont know anyone who tried to adjust or change the points with the distributor still mounted on the engine.A rebuilt distributor could be bought in the late 40s for 6 to 8 bucks.It is impossible to change points in these distributors with out taking the point mounting plate out of the distributor body.I dont understand all the trouble people are having with front mount distributors.Ive had 8 Ford cars with the front mount distributors and had a point spring break on my 48.I worked for a farmer who bought a new 8n in 1952.In 1965 the tractor was still running fine with no ignition problems.The tractor was used to plow snow from a long driveway and never had any starting problems.I have a 42 car distributor on the bench now that has a Ford reconditioned decal on it.The left point spring is broken.If the gaskets are in place the front mount distributor is usually trouble free.Old original parts should be left alone if working ok and not be replaced with import junk.I have a 42 ford v8 cap that has the cylinder numbers marked wrong.New import.

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GB in MT.

04-29-2008 17:39:40

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Re: Setting points in reply to Rod B, 04-29-2008 17:03:18

Rod;

After ya do what Dunk said, beer included, here are two pix, you may need to put it back together.

Both are self explanitory!!!!

HTH
Gary :)

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Dunk

04-29-2008 17:12:48

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Re: Setting points in reply to Dell (WA), 04-29-2008 17:03:18

Rod B said: (quoted from post at 21:03:18 04/29/08) How in the world do you set the points on a 8n tractor, I've tried mirrors, sticking my fat head in between the fan and the water pump..... ..I just can't see what I'm doing.

Please advise

Ahh, the old dreaded front mount....

Take the bail off the coil, and hang it anywhere it will hang, to keep from having to take that one wire off of it. As well take the distributor cap off and do the same with it.

Then remove the 2 bolts holding the distributor on the engine.

Ahh, now the distributor in in yer hand, have a beer.

Find a nice comfortable place to sit with a bench and more beer.

While having a drink, do anything you want to the points on the bench, even set the timing (ask if you don't understand how the timing is set that way).

When you are sassified that you now have the points under control, return the distributor to its place on the tractor, installing the 2 bolts, but before you tighten them, turn the rotor till it drops into place, it only goes one way, unless you try to force it, then you will break it.

After it cranks, more beer.... No more riding the tractor till the AM though.

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MR in MN

04-29-2008 19:28:16

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Re: Setting points in reply to Dunk, 04-29-2008 17:12:48

After points are set, and distributor reinstalled, how do you check the timing? If you loosen the screw on the side, can you rotate the assembly?

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Hobo,NC

04-29-2008 19:15:43

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Re: Setting points in reply to Dunk, 04-29-2008 17:12:48

Well I spec you are gonna throw me out of the club after i tell ya what i am git'n ready to tell ya,,,,, Joe (GA) stopped by to day,,, he gave me a 1/2 gal. of some kinda Canadian licker,,, I am not much of a licker dranker and told'em that would B a lifetime supply for me cuzz when i drank that stuff I don't like myself and i am sure no one else does,,, OH he says well how bout some HO-MADE wine,,, that my friend i kin sip and enjoy,,, when he was leaving he said i was the first to ever turn down a bid Ole bottle of licker,,, I did give'em directions to yer house,,, I figger he would not git disappointed their

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Dan

04-29-2008 17:14:42

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Re: Setting points in reply to Dunk, 04-29-2008 17:12:48

Hey - that sounds just like my proceedure to set my points. I wonder why they left out the beer in the I&T manual :-)

Dan

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