I have a ford N tractor. 2n I think. I'm interested in getting it going. Are there any antique tractor folks here? What would be a good forum to do a build-log where I can get advice? yesterdaystractors has a lot of really smart folks but the ancient forum design is detrimental to discussion. Tractor info: - Bought for 1k - In decent shape, no rust - 12V converted - Has obvious ring issues. drove into my garage under its own power but while smoking out the neighborhood - Fairly confident rings are broken not stuck. I tried the normal ring-unsticking stuff already and also found a piece of ring material in the oil - Oil pressure was good while running - Rear tires are new. fronts are flat - PTO and lift appear to be fully functional and clean - Cooling system looks fine As far as I can tell the only thing other than tires this tractor needs is rings. I'm debating trying to just re-ring the thing in-situ but I'm unclear on how to actually do it. I've never done internal engine work on a tractor before. So my questions are: - What is a good forum I can do a long term build log on that will have good advice? - Should I bother trying to re-ring it or just go for a total rebuild?
Pull the head and pan first before you go to far. Ring bits in the pan means prior or current piston failure, missing lower portion of cylinder ect. They are really easy to rebuild but you need to see what you have. Not all runners are able to be economically rebuilt. A worse feeling is destroying a block trying to diagnose it by running it.
Been a long, long time but I think you have to move the front axle forward a bit. Don't remember a full split though. Don't drop the pan !!
My son and I restored my father in law's 9N last year. We didn't have to open up the engine, most of the work was in the rear end and steering. The pan is integral on that engine. You can prop up the transmission and remove the front axle and have full access to the engine. You will have to split the tractor if you need to replace the clutch or rear main seal. Once you get into it they really are simple to work on. Good luck!
They were meant to be repaired by farmers for the most part. Internals are pretty forgiving. Unfortunately many rings and pistons are broken by people trying to unstick a stuck motor. The tow chain/ popping the clutch trick has taken out many otherwise good engines.
Hah. I believe that. I dumped atf or mmo or something (cant remember) in each plug hole for 48 hours, but it did nothing. then while changing the oil I found an unmistakeable piece of cast iron type of ring material. It was driving before it was delivered to me so any damage done was before my ownership. The tractor is really quite in good shape otherwise though. Clutch seemed fine, all gears solid, pto fine, lift fine. It's been repainted multiple times and rust has never had a chance to take off. I'm only lacking fenders to have it completely rebuilt on the exterior as well. I have no need for it but it's basically a dead asset to me until I do something with it, and I'd prefer not to just dump it when I could have a fun project. People say 1500 is a restored price for an n but ive not seen that around here.
You won't get a running tractor for $1500 by me let alone a restored one!! I still say pull the head and look at it. It's a flathead so it don't get much easier! The piece of ring would worry me.
If you can find the time, taking it apart to look at the cylinders would be a fun exercise. Unlike modern equipment the old Ford N series were designed to be worked on. It really makes you think after working on modern junk.
I’ve used yesterday’s tractors a lot for Farmalls. If you follow them a bit you quickly realize who to sit and pay attention to. I’ve also sourced parts through the guys there (not the site, but folks with a spare steering cylinder sleeve sitting on a shelf and no tractor in the shed it fits).
