In loving memory of Kenis D. Keathley 6/4/81 - 3/27/22 Loving father, husband, brother, friend and firewood hoarder Rest in peace, Dexterday

Ford N Tractor rebuild

Discussion in 'Chainsaws and Power Equipment' started by cezar, Apr 3, 2025 at 4:15 PM.

  1. cezar

    cezar

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    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?
     
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  2. brenndatomu

    brenndatomu

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  3. cezar

    cezar

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  4. Screwloose

    Screwloose

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    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.
     
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  5. brenndatomu

    brenndatomu

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    Don't those have an integral pan?
     
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  6. Screwloose

    Screwloose

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    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 !!
     
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  7. brenndatomu

    brenndatomu

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    I was thinking those had the pan built into the frame/front axle, or some such nonsense...
     
  8. Dok440

    Dok440

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    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!