Pecan Oakie
New User
My first posting here on a subject that has many confused and not getting the best results. Here's my story. I own a 1949 Ford 8N which has the front mount distributor. I bought this 8N from Stan Reynolds a retired Ford tractor parts man in 1962 He bought it new in 1949 when he worked at a Ford dealership in Pryor, Ok.
I live 15 miles northeast of Claremore, Ok and own 80 acres, and mostly in Pecan trees. I use the 8N with a Finishing Mower to keep the grass down around these Pecan trees. That is all the 8N has ever done. No plowing of any fields or any other tractor work, except pulling a wagon for hauling Pecans.
From 1949 to 1999 the 8N still had the original tires, fan belt, transmission/hydraulic fluids. In those years I probably replaced the spark plugs, points, distributor cap and rotor three times. In 1999 I was visiting a nearby Pecan grower who had/has a old Farmall and was going to convert to 12 volts with electronic ignition. He mentioned he was going next day to Owaso, Ok to buy all this 12 volt system from Genesee Products and ask if I wanted to come along . That was one of the best days of my life, as I found these Genesee Products was getting ready in making 12 volt Electronic Ignition systems for old vintage farm tractors that was running 6 volts.
The person at Genesee told me they was working on making the conversion kit for the old Ford "N" series tractors, and ask if I would be willing to try it out. About two months later I purchase my 12 volt electronic ignition system. The whole kit ran $302.00 which was a "Introductory price" for the 8N front mount distributor. My kit came with a GM 10SI 3 wire alternator with complete wiring harness, correct alternator pulley, HVX 12 volt high voltage canister coil, 12 volt EI modular with new distributor plate, coil pickup probe, and a new 12 volt voltage meter to replace the ammeter.
Instructions made it easy to convert, removing the old generator, voltage regulator, resistor block, and all the old 6 volt wiring. I had the 6 volt starter reworked to make it 12 volts. Also installed a 12 volt battery which is now "negative' ground...not positive as the old was. My total cost ran $487.40 with the conversion EI kit, battery and 12 volt starter.
Here it is August 2013, 14 years later and still has the same EI module, coil, starter and wiring, and spark plugs. I've replaced the 12 volt battery three years ago. This 8N starts on the first turn of the starter in 100 degree or 10 below Zero. It's one of the best investments for the money and it saves money---time by not having to struggle with the front distributor point, condenser, rotor changing every couple years or so.
Now, I have read many, many troublesome posts on here the past few months how some 9N,2N, and 8N tractor owners are having problems with their 12 volt conversions, and with Electronic Ignition change-over. My suggestion is, do away with the box coil and go with the 12 volt "round" canister coil, and buy a complete 12 volt wiring kit from Genesee Products, as they make the best for these types of 12 volt systems changes.
I know the initial costs are high, but, in the long run it pays to go with the 12 volt EI system change-over.
I apologize for the long posting.
I live 15 miles northeast of Claremore, Ok and own 80 acres, and mostly in Pecan trees. I use the 8N with a Finishing Mower to keep the grass down around these Pecan trees. That is all the 8N has ever done. No plowing of any fields or any other tractor work, except pulling a wagon for hauling Pecans.
From 1949 to 1999 the 8N still had the original tires, fan belt, transmission/hydraulic fluids. In those years I probably replaced the spark plugs, points, distributor cap and rotor three times. In 1999 I was visiting a nearby Pecan grower who had/has a old Farmall and was going to convert to 12 volts with electronic ignition. He mentioned he was going next day to Owaso, Ok to buy all this 12 volt system from Genesee Products and ask if I wanted to come along . That was one of the best days of my life, as I found these Genesee Products was getting ready in making 12 volt Electronic Ignition systems for old vintage farm tractors that was running 6 volts.
The person at Genesee told me they was working on making the conversion kit for the old Ford "N" series tractors, and ask if I would be willing to try it out. About two months later I purchase my 12 volt electronic ignition system. The whole kit ran $302.00 which was a "Introductory price" for the 8N front mount distributor. My kit came with a GM 10SI 3 wire alternator with complete wiring harness, correct alternator pulley, HVX 12 volt high voltage canister coil, 12 volt EI modular with new distributor plate, coil pickup probe, and a new 12 volt voltage meter to replace the ammeter.
Instructions made it easy to convert, removing the old generator, voltage regulator, resistor block, and all the old 6 volt wiring. I had the 6 volt starter reworked to make it 12 volts. Also installed a 12 volt battery which is now "negative' ground...not positive as the old was. My total cost ran $487.40 with the conversion EI kit, battery and 12 volt starter.
Here it is August 2013, 14 years later and still has the same EI module, coil, starter and wiring, and spark plugs. I've replaced the 12 volt battery three years ago. This 8N starts on the first turn of the starter in 100 degree or 10 below Zero. It's one of the best investments for the money and it saves money---time by not having to struggle with the front distributor point, condenser, rotor changing every couple years or so.
Now, I have read many, many troublesome posts on here the past few months how some 9N,2N, and 8N tractor owners are having problems with their 12 volt conversions, and with Electronic Ignition change-over. My suggestion is, do away with the box coil and go with the 12 volt "round" canister coil, and buy a complete 12 volt wiring kit from Genesee Products, as they make the best for these types of 12 volt systems changes.
I know the initial costs are high, but, in the long run it pays to go with the 12 volt EI system change-over.
I apologize for the long posting.
