The Stovebolt Site Forums The Side Lot Texas Connection Is there interest in a Tractor Forum

I KNOW THIS IS A TRUCK FORUM !!, but there also seems to be a lot of tractor guys on here. Since John has nixed a forum or two due to lack of interest, I'm wondering if there is enough interest from you guys on here to start an antique tractor forum. There is a lot of overlap from mechanical issues on our old trucks, and John would have to give us the ok. My Dad just gave me a 1945 9N which he restored years ago, but needs some TLC. It is going to have to wait until the trucks are done, but I learn a ton from watching others solve problems. Give a shout out if you are interested. If not, no worries guys, there are plenty Ford tractor forums out there, but invariably they will not be as well run as this one, and more important we will not be in them. It may be a can of worms, we do not want to open.

I do not know what an 1945 9N is.

But I do know, I think, the purpose of Stovebolt.com

"Welcome to our Virtual Garage for pre-1973 GM trucks -- If you're restoring, preserving or just driving an ole "Stovebolt," this website has information we know you'll find useful for living with your old truck -- links to parts vendors (the best list of Stovebolt-related links on the 'Net!), a Gallery of old trucks, helpful Tech Tips, a virtual Swap Meet where you can find (or sell) those elusive parts to complete your restoration projects. We even have a discussion forum where you can ask questions, post ideas and even hang out with some old rusty Stovebolters!
We have a lot of things here but the best one is knowledge and we share it for free (no membership dues or pay-to-view).

So pull up a virtual running board, cop a squat and check the Gallery for lots of old truck stories. If you have some questions about the old GM truck project you are working on, try our FAQ, Tech Tips or jump right into The Forums, where the Stovebolt Brain Trust resides.

We've got everything in here from 1/2-tons to 3-tons, COE's, Panels and 'Burbs, Firetrucks, Tow trucks -- Lots of trucks in all shapes, sizes and stages of restoration and enjoyment."

John indicates it's been tried before and didn't work. We do have to be careful with scope creep. For now, any of you 8 or 9N folks that have been tinkering on them for a while can PM me and we'll connect separately. Also, I see there are several Ford tractor forums out there, so if you know of a good one, please let me know.

The N series Fords include the 9, 3 and 8 series, in that order. The number represents the first year of manufacture, 1939, 1943, and 1948, respectively. A 1945-manufacture tractor would actually be a "3N", with a few wartime shortcuts being made from the 1939 models. The 8N can be identified pretty readily by its 4 speed transmission- - - - -the 9N and 3N models only had 3 forward gears. I've got an 8N stashed out behind the barn, waiting for a ground-up restoration, along with a 1936 Allis-Chalmers WC model.
Jerry

Interesting Jerry, my early research agrees with everything you said...except I would replace all the 3's with 2's. My understanding is that in 42, Rubber tires, starters, batteries and generators could only be used on military vehicles, so the only difference between the 2 and the 9's was a crank start, magneto and steel tires. After the war, they went back to the original 9 equipment, but didn't change the model number. Yes my serial number and year is officially a 2, but is actually a prewar 9, John steered me to a yesterdays tractor site that has a forum just for these old fords. Lot's of guys with decades of knowledge just like here. If I get in a real pickle, I'm going to give you a call.

One thing to remember is the firing order- - - - -instead of the usual 4 cylinder firing order of 1-3-4-2, Fords fire 1-2-4-3! It took me two days to figure out why the first 9N I ever rebuilt wouldn't start! I had to take the cylinder head back off and watch the action of the valves before I figured out the cause of the problem! Yep, you're right about the 2- - - - -I'm going to blame CRS disease!
Jerry

Don't think so buddy. I don't know how you carry all that stuff around in your noggin. I'm still impressed at your use of an old ring and a feeler gauge to measure circumference and translating to cylinder diameter to assess wear.