1952 Ford 8N worth restoring?

[Dirtman]

My friend has a ton of tractors and I've told him for years I want one of his older ones to restore. He finally decided he'd sell me one but I honestly know nothing about tractors. It's a 1952 Ford Model 8N. The only things I know about it is it is a 4 speed transmission, 4 cylinder gas engine, was 6 volt but has been converted to 12 volt. It runs fine but needs new tires, missing all the front sheetmetal, and has typical farm use repairs like welds on the steering linkage and what not.

A. Is this model worth restoring?
B. Are parts available for it?
C. Is it worth the $1,000 bucks he wants for it?

 

[RonD]

If you need one then yes its a good hobby tractor, be better with a loader(bucket)

To restore and resell then no, I doubt you would even break even
Rear tires will cost $800 for a pair, maybe more

1947 was first year for 8N, '52 the last year, 1st year is usually the one that has more value restored, for any vehicle

Ford sold alot of these, so not a rare model, but a good tractor if you need one

 

[Josh B]

got no pictures? then it didn happen hahaha

 

[adsm08]

I agree, as a flip it isn't worth it and will be hard to break even.

As a tractor to have and use, if I had enough land to need something that size I'd hop on a running 8N for $1000 all day long. As it is my 855 is plenty for my lot.

 

[Josh B]

There's some very serious people into the tractor restorations. Not a lot of profit, but a lot of pride. They ride them around in small town parades and such, have shows just like old cars, some even actually use them for farming,
Unless you scour the country-sides searching for old farmers and older tractors, you'll likely pay a premium for any parts you'll need.

They also have forums where you can learn a lot

 

[OldMan2]

I bought a 1947 8N. It was in very good condition. I paid $2500 for the tractor, box blade and 4ft. rotary mower.
Being gas, it didn't have enough torque to do any heavy work. I sold it and bought a Ford 5000. It's awesome.
If you want to rebuild the 8N for a hobby, and put it in some local parades then go for it. Don't expect to sell it and make a profit.
If you want to rebuild it for farm use, make it for a garden tractor, not for serious work. They are cute, but not very practical.

 

[Dirtman]

I have no real use for a tractor I just think they're neat. Might come in handy to pull stumps or plow the driveway. But basically I just want a tractor to say I have a tractor and for something to fix up.

I just dont wanna buy a worthless piece of junk, pay way too much money for it, or it be something that I cant get parts for. Im not flipping it or trying to make money on it.

I'll go over and take some pics of it tomorrow.

 

[Curious Hound]

Sounds like a fun toy. There must be parts to be had because people still restore and use 8n's. Cool machine to have.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Dont expect to make a profit.

But well worth restoring. Espicially if its mostly cosmetics. 8Ns were the last of the N series tractors, and the only ones with a live PTO.

They'll run most modern 3pt attachments if you keep in mind its a sub 30hp tractor.

Bonus points though if it has the sherman transmission.

Youll enjoy it and parts are plentiful and pretty fairly priced.

Id jump on it.

 

[Dirtman]

From what I understand the PTO only functions when the tractor is moving because it's driven off the differential not the transmission so that limits its usefulness to me.

 

[Snoranger]

Swap a 2.9L in it.

 

[Dirtman]

Oh umm I want it to actually work though.

 

[Josh B]

I have a 37 John Deere, if you're interested hahahaaha

 

[racsan]

if the 8N has the sherman overdrive it will fly on the road in 4rth gear. all parts are available, a good forum resourse is yesterdays tractors . com
rear tires are going to be one of the more pricey items. we have a 2N my grandparents bought new in 46, its a 3 speed but pretty much the same tractor. It has the sherman. lack of live pto is annoying, but thats the way they were then. At least the 8N has postion control, 9N & 2N tractors just had draft control on 3-point. ( meaning it was either up or down, no mid-range control) I took the hyd pump and top plate for the 3-point from a 8N and put on the 2N so it now has postion control. fords can get pricey, Ive got a personal preference for allis-chalmers. Have a “C” model myself, about the same power as a N-series. no 3-point but they do make a kit. A tractor can be quite handy to have around, N-series still bring a decent amount of money in some areas. Dads 2N was $900 new in’46 with a 2- bottom plow. Ive seen rusty N’s with a wore out mower and bad tires bring 1,200 locally. The front distributor is kind of a pain but you can pull the whole thing out easily to change points. later 8Ns had a side-mount distributor. in ‘53 the jubilee replaced the 8N and the flathead 120 cid was replaced with a 134 ohv.

'47 8N, with sherman step-up (overdrive) lever on left side of tractor. this had a backhoe & loader at one time
48 8N by anon omus, on Flickr

46 2N, sherman step-up overdrive. (has silver knob on lever)
1946 ford 2N by anon omus, on Flickr

 

[tinman_72]

From what I understand the PTO only functions when the tractor is moving because it's driven off the differential not the transmission so that limits its usefulness to me.

You are mostly correct. The PTO only functions when the clutch is not engaged. It will turn while the tractor is sitting still, in neutral, with the clutch pedal NOT pressed in. It is driven directly off of the transmission.