Tractor seems to lose power

Joe Farley · Jul 23, 2010

I'm a novice tractor owner. Bought a later model Ford 8n. Runs good. No smoke, no obvious problems. Using a lightweight finish mower to cut grass. Seems the longer I use the tractor, it becomes sluggish. No noticeable difference in the engine. Sounds good, but seems to bog down like the tractor has a weight tied to it. Gets slower and lethargic.

I've had guys say adjust the valves?? Oil pressure runs at about 20 psi. It starts pretty well. Doesn't seem to miss any.

Any thoughts from you tractor experts?

old · Jul 23, 2010

You say late model 8N so I figure it is a side mount distributor right?? If yes then try it with the gas cap off and see if that helps any. If it does the tank vent plugged up. If that does nothing then what happens if you try to choke it when it does that? If choking helps you may have a plugged up fuel system. Also check your air cleaner it might be full of water/dirt

Joe Farley · Jul 23, 2010

Well, the distributor is on the lower right front of the motor. It is not a high side mount. I will try what you say and I do appreciate the reply! I'm a lousy mechanic too. I bought the tractor to use as a utility piece on my 6+ acres. I got it with a blade, plow, and tumble bucket. It appears to be in great condition and starts right up every time without even a puff of smoke.

To clarify my description, it is like peddling a bike uphill. You pedal the same and all works the same, but as the hill steepens, all things working the same, it just bogs down. I son't notice any difference in the sound or rhythm of the engine.

Do you have a regular email I could contact you at? Perhaps send you a picture, etc? I am grateful for some "coaching" here. I also have a 1929 Ford Model A with similar engine so I'll benefit from this information.

old · Jul 23, 2010

Distributor on the right front side of the engine with a 5 nipple cap makes it a side mount type. As for e-mails my e-mail is always open so you can sned me an e-mail any time I answer you. I at times even give people my phone number since I have found some times talking one on one helps a person more then e-mils etc. I have more then one person who calls me when they need help

Anonymous-0 · Jul 23, 2010

Dont call yourself a lousy mechanic, a person can do anything they want to if they put there mind to it, I use to tell myself I was not a good woodsmith but that is not the right attitude!

showcrop · Jul 23, 2010

You say that the engine sounds the same, going up hill it just bogs down. Could that be interpreted to say that the engine speed stays the same but forward speed slows?

Bill(Wis) · Jul 23, 2010

Clutch slipping a little?

sotxbill · Jul 24, 2010

the flat heads had a bit of lag between running and loading before the govenor picked up and added more fuel.. So yes you hear the engine load on these tractors but remember that you dealing with 18hp to 22hp model T engine so yes,, they load a bunch.. In that sense a 9n, 2n and finally an 8n engine will load up... bigger/newer engines didnt load as badly.

If we are guessing what your saying... good luck.. Bill

Tractor seems to lose power

Joe Farley

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old

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Joe Farley

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