It has been too lengthy since I’ve had some storage occupancy for my very own enjoyable and leisure. That’s been rectified and within the typical style of my life, I couldn’t simply do the traditional factor. In reality I’ve checked out, kicked the tires on, and negotiated on a number of automobiles and vans since I ditched Buford and Brutus the Wrecker however nothing actually spun my crank exhausting sufficient to tug the set off on. Then I noticed this little Ford N-series tractor on the market and the need meter pegged. The tractor seemed clear sufficient, the rubber seemed strong, and with artistic packing it would slot in my storage on the home, giving me a terrific place to work on it. As I bought to eager about the tractor and going to see it, I additionally bought obsessive about searching for a flathead V8 to carry out a swap. Once more, going again to my childhood of driving my dad’s 8N after which seeing books with photos of Funk and different conversions with V8 energy, I lastly bought the gusto to make a deal occur. I snagged me a tractor after which discovered an engine.
As you’ll discover out right here the tractor is kind of attention-grabbing, has some neat stuff, and clearly some working historical past. The engine is an excellent cooler story and additional proof that that is the precise challenge for the precise time right here on the BS Jap World HQ.
Lastly, earlier than we get into the great things I wished one thing to wrench on with my boys that might not overwhelm them. That is going to start out a great collection of “stepping stone” initiatives that we will do collectively. Tractors are very fundamental rolling examples of the mechanical world. The teachings will likely be fundamental and they are going to be arms on, setting a great basis for his or her future wrenching and curiosity.
Henry Ford beloved tractors. He may need beloved tractors greater than he beloved automobiles. The N-series was a masterstroke. Just like the Mannequin T they had been the precise measurement, the precise worth, and the precise performance for an enormous swath of farmers throughout America. Constructed within the 9N, 2N, and 8N, varieties, these tractors had a mixed manufacturing of practically 1.5 million models. In 2001 a complete analysis examine and survey was accomplished to point that someplace between 25-40% of the tractors produced had been both nonetheless intact or truly nonetheless working. Rely mine amongst them. Due to this, the provision of components and items just isn’t solely superior, it’s mind-boggling. There are a number of suppliers that might assist you to practically construct an N-series from scratch today.
The Fundamentals –
So this tractor, as you will uncover just isn’t one factor. It’s an amalgamation of components from all three generations of N-series tractor however to set the scene for you, it is a 107″ lengthy, 3,000lb, machine that’s two wheel drive, has a 3 level hitch, a 20hp 4 cylinder flathead engine that at present doesn’t run, and it makes use of a 6-volt constructive floor electrical system. It has a 4 velocity handbook transmission and is supplied with a uncommon Hupp auxiliary transmission that provides it a number of ranges.
My connection to those goes again to my youth and even current historical past. My dad owned a 1952 8N with a entrance finish loader that was a snow shifting machine which I spent many snowy afternoons on. That tractor was the primary automobile I feel I ever fell in love with, so think about this a little bit of revisitation to the previous.
The main points and what makes it attention-grabbing –
The vendor had this tractor listed at a 1947 2N and with good purpose. It does have 2N components on it, like this nostril/cowl. Be aware that the ONLY actual outward point out of 2N is the tiny hand stamped alpha-numeric deal underneath the Ford script. For that reason the man I purchased it from was underneath the impression that it as a 2N. Is smart. Sure, the nostril is welded up, beat up, and has lived for greater than 70-years. It is going to get some consideration.
Extra purpose to experience the 2N practice! Clearly we will see the axle was forged on 3-5-1947 and we all know that 8N manufacturing didn’t begin till 1948 so that is once more all 2N on a regular basis again right here. It needs to be talked about that the massive shaft within the foreground is what actuates the mechanical brakes. O0ga booga!
Right here’s the place our story takes an attention-grabbing flip! These are fenders from a 1965 mannequin yr Ford tractor. Whereas they’ve an analogous high curve to the N-series stuff, the massive flat indent shouldn’t be there and there needs to be a raised Ford script on the highest. Now issues are getting good. Thriller! Hey, somebody bought a deal on these whereas they had been placing the factor again collectively and bolted them on. They’ll be gonzo for correct ones down the highway.
Again on the 2N story, the tractor has correct 2N wheels on all 4 corners. 8N wheels had some contour to them, particularly the rears. These are the extra plain and earlier 2N jobs which match the nostril and axle a part of the story right here.
Now we actually get into the 8N/2N cross breeding story. So the 2N tractor was by no means provided with working boards. These had been an innovation added with the 8N collection after 1948. The 2N solely had foot pegs so the operator had nowhere to place there toes apart from the pegs which is form of harmful and certain actually uncomfortable after a short while. This tractor has each. The working boards had been added in some unspecified time in the future however the foot pegs stayed. Why? They’re built-in into the radius rod mounts. I feel these will keep regardless that we will get 8N mounts. It’s simply complicated sufficient to individuals to be superior.
The tractor has an 8N sprint behind that 2N nostril! How do we all know that? Effectively, the 2N sprint pinched down rapidly under the steering column and had no provision on the decrease proper for the Ford “Proofmeter” which is what is meant to be in that gaping gap. We’re going so as to add the Proofmeter which is a tach and hour meter. They appear cool and can be found low-cost (like nearly every little thing else!). As soon as we get the factor working we’ll know if the oil stress gauge and amp meter work.
The engine can also be from an 8N tractor, so we’re beginning to get a clearer image of what occurred alongside the way in which with this unit. Somebody scrapped the whole working gear from a 2N forward of the axle and swapped it with 8N stuff! This engine is nearly equivalent to the opposite 9N and 2N engines however we all know it’s an 8N due to the flat pad to the precise of the oil filter on the high of the block. 9N and 2N tractors had their numbers forged into the block, on this case the 8N blocks had been hand stamped in that little pad. Time has largely erased the quantity off that pad. If this had been going to be a legit restoration it will be good to know that. Finally this rebuilt engine will go to the very best bidder. It’s cool that this engine has ben redone. You’ll be able to see the sealer on the oil pan flange, there’s a contemporary head gasket and peering into the spark plug holes reveals pistons clear sufficient to eat off of.
Right here’s the half that made my eyes bug out after I went and first seemed on the tractor. It has a 4 velocity! 9N and 2N tractors had been all three speeds. I used to be form of bummed that I used to be going to accept a 3 velocity however after I bought there and truly seemed it over my coronary heart was going pitter-patter. Fourth gear is sweet for about 12mph on this factor which is as near a highway gear as you’ve got until there’s extra assist….and there’s extra assist.
That shifter is hooked up to an ultra-rare Hupp auxiliary transmission! Sure, there’s an extra set of ranges out there now and in accordance with the mathematics, in fourth gear excessive this factor ought to made like 25mph with the inventory engine. The truth that shifter is “locked” in place might point out an issue however we’ll take care of that once we get there and maybe we’ll have to separate the tractor to rectify it. Irrespective of, it’s radical to have this unit as a part of the deal. There have been a few corporations that made these. Sherman most famously. The Hupp is an efficient one and will probably be enjoyable to stretch this factor’s legs slightly!
Two issues which can be simply variety fallacious listed below are the blue seat and the exhaust stack. One of many cool issues about these tractors is how clear they seemed with the exhaust working down and again underneath the axle. Somebody added the stack and it was their style however it ain’t mine. There’s a manufacturing unit exhaust already on the way in which to take away this periscope trying factor. The blue seat? We’ve no rationalization apart from the dude ran out of paint early and simply mentioned screw it. We’ll wager dealing with that proper fast as effectively. It hurts the eyes.
So right here’s the scene the day we introduced the Triple H house. We had been racing a blizzard that was to hit that evening, so as soon as the tractor was off-loaded I scrambled to Harbor Freight for wheel dollies and hoped that my tape measure didn’t deceive me. It didn’t! The little tractor on the dollies match simply the place I knew it will within the nook of the storage and all of the household fleet was nestled into their spots for the night. We bought a few foot and a half of snow that evening and the subsequent day was spent digging out and making ready for a brief highway journey the subsequent day. For what? Horsepower.
Right here’s the massive piece of the enjoyable puzzle. Because of Jay Holdash the “search” for an acceptable rebuilder flathead was actually quick. Jay had taken this engine aside years in the past and simply by no means discovered the precise challenge to plug it into. He was comfortable to filter out the nook of his workshop and I used to be comfortable to search out such a great new plant!
You’re looking in any respect of a Ford 8BA flathead V8. It was a fairly frequent swap to make again within the day to take your 20hp tractor to a 110hp tractor with the addition of the 4 extra cylinders and Henry’s little legend of an engine. That’s the plan for this tractor. The flathead will likely be a inventory rebuild (guessing a bore job to wash up the cylinders) with slightly camshaft it make it lumpy and enjoyable. The thought is when all is claimed and completed to have a manufacturing unit showing tractor with the barky little V8 making noise and energy underneath the cowl. Why? As a result of I’ve at all times wished one. For no roughly purpose than that.
Far more to return on each entrance of this challenge. Far more.
