1952 Ford 8N 302 v8 conversion

[wploetz]

OK, all you purists can shake your fingers at me. I have wrecked a perfectly good Ford 8n to make it into a Hot Rod Tractor
Name - Frank-N-Ford.

OK, this has been my side project for a while now. In memory of my father Frank and his faithful old 1949 Ford 8N tractor. Goal is to have it parade ready by spring 2014.

See my progress at
Frank-N-Ford

I am looking for mounting brackets for the Ford one arm loader for this tractor. Anyone have them?

I will update it as I progress.

A work in Progress - 8N
Added front bumper
Added Sherman Hi-Medium-Low transmission
Patch body work - preferably welded if I can.
Paint
Install 302 V-8 from 27HP to 220HP
Install roll bar
Install double seat
Add live auxillary hydrallics
Install One Arm Loader with Quick-Tach plate
Estimated completion date - 5/15/2014

 

[Steve in MT]

Interesting, I'd like to see how you mate the 302 to the transmission, keep us posted.
Steve

 

[Soundguy]

abandon your search for 1-arm laoder brackets for an 8n that you have re-powered with a non oem engine.

the OE brackets were built SPECIFICALLY with the geometry of that flathead in mind.

you could of course devise your own setup. the trans bracket generally uses a sandwich plate aded upder the steering box and that attaches to an upright with a nub that then rides the bellhousing flange shareing some bolts

depending on what you do witht he front bolster is what would determine what you can do for a front bracket.

Now.. all that said. if the engine is wider by more than a couple inches than the oe L head.. then all bets are off as the geometry of the laoder will be off, and offsetting the tranny bracket to match the front bracket will reduce it's weight capacity drastically and change the center of gravity / lifting point and possibly make the unit extremely tippy..

I collect the 1-arm loaders.. the fordson dexta brackets ar ethe most rare.. followed by 8n brackets.. then the naa brackets, then t he rowcrop brackets, next the 3 cyl brackets. The most common, though still rare and getting harder to find by the day, brackets are the 4 cyl, 'large box' style tranny brackets for the 55-64 prior model fords. the 53-64 front ag and rowcrop brackets can be made via torch and welder. the tranny or hip brackets contain complex curves and are difficult to build if not near impossible due to steering arm clearance.

the loaders come in 2 basic variety. 3.5 and 5.5 inch box. the longer box are for the prior 4 cyl models. the short box are for the 65+ 3 cyl jobs.

rare conversion brackets exist.. but are like hens teeth.

past that.. you have the 711 and the 722. the 711 were meant to run off tractor hyds.. the 722 had a sump in the loader frame foot, and a pedistal for the valve bank, and originally came with a quick attach hyd pump that all went on and came off as an assembly. both 711 and 722 could be found as trip dump or hyd bucket. all were SA lift cyl.. etc.

any other info you need onthe 1-arm laoders I'd be glad to help you with where i can.

I have a half dozen or so mounted and in use.. all styles...

 

[john_bud]

There used to be (and still are) kits to put flat head V8's into the "n" tractors. As the engine is a stressed structural member on the machine, I wonder how you are planing on structuring it? Not being negative, just curious. It's a fun project. Keep posting your pictures, they are great.

 

[Soundguy]

stauffer made some v8 plates

 

[wploetz]

I have the Awesome Henry OHV conversion kit.

It includes a flywheel the bolts the 8N clutch to the 302, a spacer that connects the motor to the transmission and a pan the the motor bolts into and the front end bolts back on to. It also has the parts to raise and lengthen the hood and to lengthen the radius tubes and tie rods. See it at V-8 Conversion Kit - Awesome Henry

Don is very helpful there.

Interesting, I'd like to see how you mate the 302 to the transmission, keep us posted.
Steve

 

[wploetz]

I have the Awesome Henry OHV conversion kit.

It includes a flywheel the bolts the 8N clutch to the 302, a spacer that connects the motor to the transmission and a pan the the motor bolts into and the front end bolts back on to. It also has the parts to raise and lengthen the hood and to lengthen the radius tubes and tie rods. See it at V-8 Conversion Kit - Awesome Henry

Don is very helpful there.

stauffer made some v8 plates

 

[wploetz]

Motor is a lot wider than the 4 cylinder. I see what you mean now. Thanks.

Anyone want to buy a one arm loader cheap? no controls and just 2 pieces of bracket that I don't know what the are for. 716-679-7715 Bill Dunkirk NY

abandon your search for 1-arm laoder brackets for an 8n that you have re-powered with a non oem engine.

the OE brackets were built SPECIFICALLY with the geometry of that flathead in mind.

you could of course devise your own setup. the trans bracket generally uses a sandwich plate aded upder the steering box and that attaches to an upright with a nub that then rides the bellhousing flange shareing some bolts

depending on what you do witht he front bolster is what would determine what you can do for a front bracket.

Now.. all that said. if the engine is wider by more than a couple inches than the oe L head.. then all bets are off as the geometry of the laoder will be off, and offsetting the tranny bracket to match the front bracket will reduce it's weight capacity drastically and change the center of gravity / lifting point and possibly make the unit extremely tippy..

I collect the 1-arm loaders.. the fordson dexta brackets ar ethe most rare.. followed by 8n brackets.. then the naa brackets, then t he rowcrop brackets, next the 3 cyl brackets. The most common, though still rare and getting harder to find by the day, brackets are the 4 cyl, 'large box' style tranny brackets for the 55-64 prior model fords. the 53-64 front ag and rowcrop brackets can be made via torch and welder. the tranny or hip brackets contain complex curves and are difficult to build if not near impossible due to steering arm clearance.

the loaders come in 2 basic variety. 3.5 and 5.5 inch box. the longer box are for the prior 4 cyl models. the short box are for the 65+ 3 cyl jobs.

rare conversion brackets exist.. but are like hens teeth.

past that.. you have the 711 and the 722. the 711 were meant to run off tractor hyds.. the 722 had a sump in the loader frame foot, and a pedistal for the valve bank, and originally came with a quick attach hyd pump that all went on and came off as an assembly. both 711 and 722 could be found as trip dump or hyd bucket. all were SA lift cyl.. etc.

any other info you need onthe 1-arm laoders I'd be glad to help you with where i can.

I have a half dozen or so mounted and in use.. all styles...

 

[sixdogs]

Great thread and good luck.

 

[Soundguy]

post a pics of the brackets and I'll tell you what they fit.

also post a pic of the box ont he loader upright, with a measure tape or ruler laid onthe front edge of the box to t he loader upright.. not on a corner.. that will tell us 3 cyl or 4 cyl. if it still has the data tin tag.. post the unit / component number and I can tell you what the loader was meant to be. IE.. 3/4 or 711/722

there are MINOR different breakout and lift max height specs for the different componet loader frames.

 

[nybirdman]

How are you going to keep it from flipping over backwards?I almost popped one over with the FEL removed and an engine rebuild.I was just going up a slight incline....scared the beans out of me!

 

[wploetz]

Good point. I remember skidding logs, the front was up in the air more than on the ground. I think weights on the front end and wheelie bars in the back.

How are you going to keep it from flipping over backwards?I almost popped one over with the FEL removed and an engine rebuild.I was just going up a slight incline....scared the beans out of me!

 

[JohnP3616]

Interesting thread and build. Thanks for posting.

 

[Ductape]

I know yours isn't a flattie, but here is a little inspiration for you. Great project..... looking forward to seeing it progress.

 

[milkman636]

That is one sweet 8n there ductape, but I'd probably opt for a good air cleaner instead of the chromed intakes on the carbs.

As a Ford tractor fan, I'll be following your build wploetz.

 

[wploetz]

OMG

You must have at least $30K into that machine. 4WD, power steering, tilt hood, plow.

The purists must hate you but I love your project.

On your tiliting hood, is the radiator cap fake I assume?

You don't actually plow with it do you?

Do you have a web accessible gallery on this?

Mine is going to be more of a utility type customization/restoration, not a perfect show job like yours.

These projects are fun.

I know yours isn't a flattie, but here is a little inspiration for you. Great project..... looking forward to seeing it progress.

 

[Ductape]

OMG

You must have at least $30K into that machine. 4WD, power steering, tilt hood, plow.

Hey hey........ that isn't my tractor ! Just saw it at a show. I don't imagine the owner really uses it to plow snow.

 

[wploetz]

OK, got Frank-N-Ford the tractor all apart, parts sorted and painted.

Used the tried & true - PB, Heat & Beat, the repeat method. Nothing more aggressive than a 12 pound sledge and a die grinder.

Here are the casualties: (Jane says "Why do you break so many things?" and "Is that grease I see on the barn floor?")
Plenty of broken bolts & nuts of course.
Starter from 302 - perfectly OK until it slipped out of my hand, smashing on the concrete - replacement $68 at AdvanceAuto, less a free $25 gift certificate = $43 net.
Radiator - Tried to open petcock to drain, whole assembly and fitting ripped out of bottom tank of radiator - Replacement - $163 online.
Lights and switches all shot, rusted or broken.
Front Axle Components replaced - Center Support Bushing, Pin and needed 3 rear spacers, a lot of slop there. before, gone now.
Sherman transmission seals bad, need to get them and make a gasket of it. (Good news - all gears in both trannies look like new)
Throw out bearing questionable, may as well replace it now as it is apart.

Oh bummer!!! The Bellhousing Adapter is the wrong one! It won't clear the ring gear or flywheel. Fortunately Don at Awesome Henry is very easy to get a hold of and he is rushing out the right adapter tomorrow.
That brings the motor mount to a quick halt. Oh well, guess I can do that next weekend.

I can work on:
putting the dash back together with new gauges,tach, oil pressure, temp and ammeter,
patch the fenders & hood, (Welding, no bondo)
paint the gray
and work on the motor in the meantime. Putting on a single wire self exciting chrome alternator with a built in regulator, Mallory electronic vacuum advance distributor, manual choke, etc.

 

[Soundguy]

movin' along!

 

[wploetz]

Good news! The Awesome Henry Bell Housing Adapter plate is correct after all! anyone ever try to put an adapter on inside out? Now I know the while an 8N 4 cylinder motor has the starter on the left side, the Windsor 302 has the starter in the right side! Mystery solved. I had asked if the starter was on the same side as the original motor. Don at AH said yes. I was referring to 4 cylinder, Don was referring to V8. We were both right in our own way. LOL.

As soon as the Throw Out Bearing gets here, back to the motor installation.