M.B. Naegle
Diamond
- Joined
- Feb 7, 2011
- Location
- Conroe, TX USA
I just picked up a new project today (because when you have too many, you're supposed to get more). A 1949 Ford 8N tractor. It's pretty rough but I think it'll get going with a little help and give me a hand with groundskeeping around the shop. Mainly mowing and dirt work, but I'd also like to get a PTO wood chipper going if I can find one that'll work with the horsepower.
There was some faint writing under the hood that it was rebuilt in 1990, it has a 2016 battery, and the prior owner last ran it 3 years ago, apparently with no issues. But it wasn't needed and sat exposed to the elements. It turns over freely and the oils are clear. Front tires are shot, but rear are good. Radiator has a hole in it and there's lots of rust in the sheet metal. It appears to have been converted to 12 volt, but theres a lot of wire rot, so I have a new harness ordered.
What I could use help with is the fuel system. A selling point for me is that it has a propane conversion, but I'm not finding a whole lot of info about them online, just kits for sale. I know the carb has been replaced and there is some kind of gas regulator system on top of the block that is plumbed into the radiator lower hose and engine water jacket. They have the bottle mounted vertically in front of the radiator, but the mount needs work, and I'm not a fan of having it block the grill, so I might see about moving it somewhere else. I'm also concerned that the rubber hoses and gaskets may need attention. Does anyone know of any diagrams or other resources that could help me troubleshoot it as a supplement to the information in the old manuals?
Despite its ragged looks, right now I plan to get it running and put to work. Later it'll get body work and paint. I might go back to the original gas carb system someday, but I Iike that with the LP gas it'll run cleaner and it can share gas bottles with our forklift. I like how simple these old tractors are and that parts are so easily found. One more project....
There was some faint writing under the hood that it was rebuilt in 1990, it has a 2016 battery, and the prior owner last ran it 3 years ago, apparently with no issues. But it wasn't needed and sat exposed to the elements. It turns over freely and the oils are clear. Front tires are shot, but rear are good. Radiator has a hole in it and there's lots of rust in the sheet metal. It appears to have been converted to 12 volt, but theres a lot of wire rot, so I have a new harness ordered.
What I could use help with is the fuel system. A selling point for me is that it has a propane conversion, but I'm not finding a whole lot of info about them online, just kits for sale. I know the carb has been replaced and there is some kind of gas regulator system on top of the block that is plumbed into the radiator lower hose and engine water jacket. They have the bottle mounted vertically in front of the radiator, but the mount needs work, and I'm not a fan of having it block the grill, so I might see about moving it somewhere else. I'm also concerned that the rubber hoses and gaskets may need attention. Does anyone know of any diagrams or other resources that could help me troubleshoot it as a supplement to the information in the old manuals?
Despite its ragged looks, right now I plan to get it running and put to work. Later it'll get body work and paint. I might go back to the original gas carb system someday, but I Iike that with the LP gas it'll run cleaner and it can share gas bottles with our forklift. I like how simple these old tractors are and that parts are so easily found. One more project....