Mac's 8N

BCMac · Sep 25, 2015

Hey guys

Recently picked up an old 8N to tinker with. Figured rather than starting a ton of different threads I'd just start one and see how that worked.

Not certain of the year but it is a front distributor. Still 6v. It was running, but rough. Starved for fuel and a sometimes sticky carb.

Anyhow so far I have removed the inline filter. Cleaned the gas tank, screens, etc. Replaced the fuel line. I have a carb kit coming.

My list of to do's:
1. Flush the rad
2. Rebuild the carb
3. Replace gauges
4. Replace ignition switch (key got lost in transport)

Being new to the 8N, what are going to be my most common issues to look out for? Also, for you guys running them, what do you keep on hand in terms of spare parts?

BCMac · Sep 26, 2015

BCMac · Sep 27, 2015

So I took to carb off tonight to see which it was so I order the right kit. From what I understand there should be some sort of brass plaque with the number on it. Can't seem to find it anywhere so it either doesn't have one or has been long since removed. Can't read the serial number either.

Being as it's a front mount distributor which lasted until 50. And through serial number 343,XXX would it be safe to assume it's either the TSX33 or TSX241(A) or (B). And would it be the same kit for the TSX241, 241A and 241B?

BCMac · Oct 4, 2015

Pulled the carb apart today. A bit of rusty residue in the bottom of the bowl. A spring missing on the little door on the choke plate. Unfortunately the float has some hairline cracks in the corner and the kit i got didn't include a float. Lots of bubbling in hot water so a new float is on order. In the mean time I'll throw these bits in the parts washer with some solvent and get them cleaned right up.

BCMac · Oct 7, 2015

Something tells me this oil bath cleaner hasn't been cleaned in a while.

Anyone else find mice in oil baths?

Wagtail · Oct 8, 2015

Wow. I've been stopping by to watch your progress (so I guess that this is a 'bookmark').

Have fun Mate.

BCMac · Oct 8, 2015

Ok guys, so I have a few questions for everyone today.

1. After the mice in the oil bath yesterday I let the cup soak and it's now cleaned out of that nasty mess of oil and decomposing mice. The actual filter up inside the canister seems to be, at least the bottom part, full of the nasty mouse brew and needs to be cleaned. Does the canister come apart to get that metal filter material out? Or does one have to dip the whole thing in a bucket and hope for the best? It looks like the bottom of the canister should pop off (it has slots) but it seems to be in there good and I don't want to pop it off if it won't go back on.

2. The top of my air cleaner has nothing. No door, no screen, nothing. Which I assume is how the mice were getting in. From what I can see in diagrams it looks like there should be 3 pieces there - the funnel piece, the screen and then the vented door from the hood. Can anyone confirm?

3. Drained and flushed the radiator. Looks as though there's damage to one of the fins causing a leak. Is this something that can be soldered shut or some other type of patch to seal this hole back up?

BCMac · Oct 13, 2015

Alright guys, here's an update and a question.

So far I have now:
1. Flushed the gas tank of the rust, bugs, particles etc.
2. Cleaned the tank screen, sediment bowl and screen.
3. Replaced the ignition switch.
4. Rebuilt the carb and replaced the float.
5. Replaced the elbow and screen between fuel line and carb.
6. Flushed and soldered the above hole.
7. Cleaned the decomposing mice out of the oil bath can.

Got it all back together this morning and...

Now the question: I still can't seem to figure out how to get the bottom out of the air cleaner canister. The mesh filter is nasty and gummed up with the remnants of the mouse guts - I need to get it off so I can get those out and clean or replace them. Can anyone suggest any tips to getting that bottom of the canister out?

Next on my list:
1. Replace radiator hoses. The gas tank was not installed correctly for who knows how long so the top hose is more or less crushed.
2. Install thermostat. At some point it appears to have been removed.
3. Replace ammeter. Its full of sediment and clearly hasn't worked in a long time.
4. Adjust the carb. I did the ballpark backouts during the rebuild, now I need to fine tune.

BCMac · Oct 18, 2015

Alright guys I finally managed to get the bottom out of the air cleaner canister. Seems about the only way to get that thing out is to bend it (pretty soft metal and easy to do) then round it back up once you've got it out. The innards were not pretty but after a few days of soaking and brushing and soaking and brushing they're much better now.

Anyhow got it all back together and took the old darlin out for its first dance in years. Lots of rattling going on, I think I need a couple of vibration pads for the gas tank that were missing.
I'll have to take the hood off again when the rad hoses and thermostat arrive anyhow so I will look into fashioning up some kind of vibration pads before I put it all back together.

Anyhow, still dialing in the carb but shifts fine, breaks ok, all gears work.

Here's her first dance in decades.