FORD 8N WET SPARK PLUGS + ANOTHER QUESTION

8

8nsyes

Member

• Jul 3, 2015

• #1

Hello Everyone,
I have two questions concerning my 1948 Ford 8n tractor.

1. Having trouble starting the tractor. During trouble shooting I found that each of the four spark plugs were wet with oil. It has had this problem for awhile. Recommendations, comments?

2. What is your recommendation(s) concerning the install of an electronic ignition on the Ford 8n? If yes, any and all assistance will be appreciated.

Thanks ahead of time for your time and expertise!
walt

 

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howdy1960

Well-known Member

• Jul 3, 2015

• #1

If you haven't already, I would ask this on N board.
In mean time I believe oil will break rubber coating on wires down over time. BTDT

 

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Greg1959

Well-known Member

• Jul 3, 2015

• #1

Are you sure the plugs are wet with oil?

If so, you may have problems bigger that an EI can remedy.

 

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Greg1959

Well-known Member

• Jul 3, 2015

• #1

Howdy1960- I thought he/she was talking about the plug part inside the combustion chamber. LOL!

It never occurred to me about the 'outside' plug wires. Sorry.

 

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8

8nsyes

Member

• Jul 3, 2015

• #1

Hello Greg 1959,

My second question was unrelated to the first question. sorry about not making that more clear.
walt

 

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Greg1959

Well-known Member

• Jul 3, 2015

• #1

8nsyes- So, which part of the plugs are wet with oil you described, on the outside of the motor or the inside of the combustion chamber?

 

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jr1983

Member

• Jul 3, 2015

• #1

I can tell you the 8n board generally hates ei. I'm a big fan but it won't fix oil on the plugs on either side of them.

 

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8

8nsyes

Member

• Jul 3, 2015

• #1

Greg1959,

It is inside the combustions chamber when I take out the plugs they are wet with oil (no water).

thanks,
walt

 

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Greg1959

Well-known Member

• Jul 3, 2015

• #1

8nsyes- If you are sure it is oil on the inside of the combustion chamber then EI conversion is the least of your worries.

You probably should do a compression test on each cylinder and record those numbers. They are most certainly pretty weak.

Go down to the 8n forum and post about your concerns of oil inside the combustion chamber. Don't even worry about EI at this time...sounds like you may have some work to do to even get to that point.

 

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howdy1960

Well-known Member

• Jul 3, 2015

• #1

Greg1959, MY mistake, had wires on my ole tiny brain.

Walt, I agree that since is plugs themselves that are wet with oil then you need to do more investigative work.
What is the compression #s in each cylinder?
Does it puff blue smoke out exhaust?
My WAG is you are in need of rings.
Another area oil can get into cylinders is from intake valve guides.

 

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Offandgone

Member

• Jul 3, 2015

• #1

If you are having trouble starting the tractor it may be flooding. If that is happening you should determine for sure that this is oil or could they be wet from raw gas.
Frank

 

R

Royse

Well-known Member

• Jul 3, 2015

• #1

Oil for sure or gas/oil mix?
A good tune up may help. Plugs/wires/points/timing.
If that doesn't clear it up EI won't either.

As far as EI goes, 6V or 12V? Front mount or side mount?
1948 should be front mount. If its a front mount and you want
to go EI, I would go whole hog and convert to 12V with a round
can coil first, get that working, then install the EI later.
Separating the two upgrades to eliminate confusion.

I like EI but didn't have good luck with it on my 8N SM.
I didn't notice any difference between EI and good points
that were adjusted properly. Your mileage may vary.

 

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8

8nsyes

Member

• Jul 3, 2015

• #1

Frank,
Thank you kindly. This really helps.
walt

 

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8

8nsyes

Member

• Jul 3, 2015

• #1

Royace,
Thank you very much, your answer is most helpful.
walt

 

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8

8nsyes

Member

• Jul 3, 2015

• #1

Greg1959,
Thank you very much for your shared knowledge.
walt

 

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8

8nsyes

Member

• Jul 3, 2015

• #1

howdy1960,
Many thanks to you for this good information. This helps me to grasp a little of what is going on.
walt

 

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8

8nsyes

Member

• Jul 3, 2015

• #1

jr1983,
Thank you kindly for your information.
walt

 

D

Dell (WA)

Well-known Member

• Jul 4, 2015

• #1

Walt........just fer yer info, 8N compression spec's 90psi MIN; most good runnin' 8N test about 110psi; brand NEW rebuilt 8N's test about 125psi. You need to pull all 4-sparkies BEFORE doin' a compression test. At least 5-rumpa-rumpas to build to max compression. As fer sparkies, we recommend AutoLite 437's gapped 0.025". Iff'n yer certain yer sparkies are OIL flashed, you may have "STUCK RINGS". Pour about 1-oz (teaspoon) of ATF down each sparkie hole and rotate yer engine iff'n you can. Rings can STICK and will pump oil and oil yer sparkies. ATF is HIGH DETERGENT and will slip right past yer stuck rings and dissipate in yer 6-qts of engine oil. In 1939, Ford recommended 30wt DETERGENT oil, 40wt in HOT summertime. DO NOT USE popular 10-30wt oil 'cuz it is 10wt oil with temperature sensitive additives that make it act like 30wt oil when HOT. Iff'n you gotta use multi-weight oil, recommend 20-50wt racing oil 'cuz it still has ZZDP in it. EPA pulled ZZDP outta engine oil 'cuz catalytic mufflers don't like ZZDP. You gotta catalytic muffler on yer 8N??? Didn't tink soooo.......HTH, Dell

 

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8

8nsyes

Member

• Jul 4, 2015

• #1

Hello Dell;
Thank you kindly for this store house of information that you have furnished. You answered some of my "thought of questions" before I asked them.
I do appreciate your expertise.
walt