Ford 8n Windsor 351 conversion

[wploetz]

I have a 1952 8N with Sherman over-under in good shape.
Using an Awesome Henry kit, I am putting a Windsor 351 Ford into it.

Don at Awesome Henry has been great with information and ideas.

Anyone out there with experience and/or tips for this?
I will have a nice 8N motor that carries 45PSI Oil Pressure to sell when I am done, how much $ should I ask for it?

 

[bucktaker]

ok I'm gonna ask WHY????

 

[wploetz]

ok I'm gonna ask WHY????

Funny thing, my wife asks the same question. Am I crazy? Maybe, but along with many others. Hundreds others have done 8N v8 conversions, I wonder why they have did them? Mostly with flat heads but I like the idea of a newer motor in an older tractor.

Actually, I want to build it as a memory to my father. It was our tractor together and I want to restore it but make it different. I am too practical for a hot rod car or truck but a tractor, for some reason that makes sense to me. With the Sherman it will be quite usable. It should be fun to plow snow and grade our dirt road with it.

SO bottom line is I want to build it because I can (I think)

 

[jinman]

Funny thing, my wife asks the same question. Am I crazy? Maybe, but along with many others. Hundreds others have done 8N v8 conversions, I wonder why they have did them? Mostly with flat heads but I like the idea of a newer motor in an older tractor.

Actually, I want to build it as a memory to my father. It was our tractor together and I want to restore it but make it different. I am too practical for a hot rod car or truck but a tractor, for some reason that makes sense to me. With the Sherman it will be quite usable. It should be fun to plow snow and grade our dirt road with it.

SO bottom line is I want to build it because I can (I think)

Would you put a 25 hp Briggs & Stratton engine on a 21" push mower? That's what you are doing with your 8N. That tractor was designed for an engine less than 30 hp. Even with the flathead engine, you are asking for trouble with additional torque and hp over 4 times the original. Now you drop in a 351 V8 and the innards of your tractor are gonna snap like pretzels. Which component do you think will go first? Don't you think your father would rather have you honor his memory by restoring the tractor to pristine original level rather than blow it up with something so impractical? There are tons of suppliers of original and add-on parts for that tractor in original condition. Don't turn that memory into a member of the scrap heap of used parts. That's my opinion for what it's worth. Please don't ruin a wonderful piece of agricultural history. Honor it with full restoration.:thumbsup:

 

[wploetz]

I can see your point. I asked for thoughts and I do welcome all views, even if they are different from mine.
What I have learned from my father is to be open minded, non-judgemental and accepting of others.
With that in mind, I have 2 8N's so maybe I will soup up the other one and keep my dad's as original.
I will have to use extreme caution when operating such an overpowered machine.
No roll bar, no seat belt, careless use could lead to catastrophic results. I am in my 60's and would like to make it as far as my 92 year old father did.
I do not intend to rev it up and dump the clutch.

 

[RickB]

Would you put a 25 hp Briggs & Stratton engine on a 21" push mower? That's what you are doing with your 8N. That tractor was designed for an engine less than 30 hp. Even with the flathead engine, you are asking for trouble with additional torque and hp over 4 times the original. Now you drop in a 351 V8 and the innards of your tractor are gonna snap like pretzels. Which component do you think will go first? Don't you think your father would rather have you honor his memory by restoring the tractor to pristine original level rather than blow it up with something so impractical? There are tons of suppliers of original and add-on parts for that tractor in original condition. Don't turn that memory into a member of the scrap heap of used parts. That's my opinion for what it's worth. Please don't ruin a wonderful piece of agricultural history. Honor it with full restoration.:thumbsup:

Not to mention travel speeds approaching 3X original.

 

[bcp]

If I were doing a modern engine conversion, I think I would do a modern 4 cylinder Ford engine, preferably a tractor engine, maybe diesel.

I'd really enjoy an 8N with a small diesel.

Bruce

 

[Looking4new]

Seeing as you asked for thoughts.....I think you should sell the 351W and use the proceeds to restore both 8N's.

 

[wploetz]

With the sherman in low gear, it won't be that much faster.

 

[RickB]

With the sherman in low gear, it won't be that much faster.

With a conservative 4800 RPM redline for the Windsor and underdrive ratio of the Sherman, your top speed in Underdrive with the Windsor conversion will be 50% faster than the original flathead run WOT in Sherman Direct Drive.

 

[wploetz]

IN 4th gear step down, it should be 20.68 at 2400 RPM, If I rev it up to 4800 rpm, that would double it.

So if I set it in my mind to limit the rpms or put on a governor, I should be OK.

 

[RickB]

IN 4th gear step down, it should be 20.68 at 2400 RPM, If I rev it up to 4800 rpm, that would double it.

So if I set it in my mind to limit the rpms or put on a governor, I should be OK.

Your math is off by quite a bit. An 8n will do 12.54 MPH in 4th gear direct drive at 2000 ERPM. (from Ford 8n service manual 3730-47J reprint) The Sherman stepdown ratio is 1.513:1 giving a speed of a little over 10 MPH at the 8N's rated 2200 ERPM or about 22 MPH at 4800 ERPM. (ratio from original Sherman literature)
http://www.oldfordtractors.com/sherman/shermco.jpg

At any rate, RPM's should be governed to near original for a variety of reasons.

 

[Fordman1981]

I have a 1952 8N with Sherman over-under in good shape.
Using an Awesome Henry kit, I am putting a Windsor 351 Ford into it.

Don at Awesome Henry has been great with information and ideas.

Anyone out there with experience and/or tips for this?
I will have a nice 8N motor that carries 45PSI Oil Pressure to sell when I am done, how much $ should I ask for it?

Wploetz,

I am going to against the naysayers. I say they are your tractors to do with as you wish. They're plenty of 8n tractors out the for people to restore to stock. I applaud you for wanting to do something fun and creative. I don't know you or your dad but I'm would think he would want you to enjoy the tractor and if that means this project again I say go for it. I am currently working on a 1969 mach 1 matching numbers mustang. At first I was going to keep everything original and stock. Then I got to thinking its my car I should make it fit me. I am keeping all the original parts but plan on doing the interior the color I want not just the factory options. I also am going back and forth on replacing the 3 speed with a 5 speed. This is your thread so I won't go into all my details but you get where I'm going with this. Have fun.

 

[Iowan]

If the rest of the running gear is in good shape and you don't abuse it, it should work just fine.:thumbsup:
In the June 2012 Hot Rod magazine there's a 2N with a 170 hp flat-head V8 that does wheelies.

 

[RickB]

If the rest of the running gear is in good shape and you don't abuse it, it should work just fine.:thumbsup:
In the June 2012 Hot Rod magazine there's a 2N with a 170 hp flat-head V8 that does wheelies.

Doesn't take much talent to wheelie with just a stock 2n. Or end up flat on your back on the ground with a 2N between your legs. Piloting one down the road at 40 MPH doesn't appeal to me, either. Frigging things have killed a lot of guys that thought they had the answers.

 

[wploetz]

In further thoughts, I am going to add a ROPS w/seat belt to my upgrade parts list! Seems like a wise thing to do. Check with my local NH dealer, they are supposed to have a kit for that.

 

[tcartwri]

Sounds cool, looking forward to the pics.

 

[GPintheMitten]

Marvin Baumann from Monroe Michigan has done a number of V8 conversions. Check this out:

Marvin Baumann Antique Tractors :: Welcome

 

[Verticaltrx]

I love small-block Ford motors (have a built 351w in my '79 F-150 rock crawler)

I also love N-series tractors

Never the twain shall meet...

 

[2458n]

I thought New Holland made the small ford with a diesel. Are there not alot of them sitting around unsold in your area?