Ford 8N distributor

[makromer]

Need to install a new distributor. The old one had been removed. Any how-to's out there?

 

[jaxs]

You will do much better buying an IT repair manual from Tractor Supply Company than trying to wing it with free web advice.

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

Front distributor or side distributor? There are both kinds out there.

 

[Roadworthy]

Rotate the engine to the point where the timing mark indicates it should fire. Install the distributor so the rotor lines up with number one cylinder. You will need to compensate for the cut of the gears as it will rotate a bit as you put it into place. At this point you're either almost right on the money or 180 degrees out. That's where the manual comes in handy. To finish the job you should learn a bit about static timing an engine.

 

[FordnMassey]

Hi,
Does your distributor use a driving dog or a gear to engage?

 

[EdGooding]

Rotate the engine to the point where the timing mark indicates it should fire. Install the distributor so the rotor lines up with number one cylinder. You will need to compensate for the cut of the gears as it will rotate a bit as you put it into place. At this point you're either almost right on the money or 180 degrees out. That's where the manual comes in handy. To finish the job you should learn a bit about static timing an engine.

Not if he has the front-mount distributor. It has an offset tang so it's almost impossible to install it 180 degrees off. Ford changed to the side-mount (aka angle drive) distributor during the 1950 model run.

 

[EdGooding]

What the two distributors used in 8Ns look like:

 

[John0829]

And if it is a side mount and the old dizzy has already been removed without marking the rotor location fun times are ahead if not familiar with timing an engine, WHICH he evidently is not since he is asking for help.

 

[EdGooding]

Need to install a new distributor. The old one had been removed. Any how-to's out there?

You can download a free scan of the I&T FO-4 service manual for Ford N tractors here: https://www.ntractorclub.com/manual...1953 I&T FO-4 Ford Tractor Service Manual.pdf