Ford Distributor Rebuild & Troubleshoot: Points, Coil, Cond.: Ford 9N, 2N and 8N Front Mount Tractor 

I am 60 years old and I have learned so from this young lady, thank you very much

Dan you’re a lucky man!!! Thank you Rachel. Very detailed. I’ve watched many of these videos in my time with my tractor. You paid so much attention to detail. Something lacking in many of the other videos I’ve watched

Hands down Rachel does the best tutorials. The very thorough explanation she gives delivers the confidence I need to move forward with my own repairs. Production quality is also top notch.

I posted this a few days ago that I am getting 1.3 volts at the coil… decided to pull out the distributor, change the ballast resistor and key switch…it has not started in 5 months…decided to try to see if it all was at least properly wired and setup… Started INSTANTLY with what ever fuel was left in the steel fuel line. Honestly, it started like it had fuel injection!! Thanks for the great detail in ALL of your videos

That is one smart, young lady. Excellent job.

I had to rebuild my distributor and I watched this video because I had no idea what I was doing. I bought the part from their site for cheap and BAM!!! GOT HER FIXED!! Note: The only reason I knew I had to rebuild my distributor was because of Rachel's other videos. lol!

Back in the mid 60's I learned all about ignition systems by working on my father's 9N. It was always in the original 6 volts. heavy handed goofs break off the stud on the top of the coil. It is just brass so it doesn't need much tightening. A good electric tester is great for somebody who knows how to use one. A couple weeks after doing a rebuild (1978) like you did, the tractor wouldn't start. I could see that there was no spark so setting the tester for continuity I began checking the distributor like you showed and everything checked out okay. I checked the field wire on top of the coil to the ignition switch and there was no reading with the switch on or off so I checked out the wire behind the battery and found that it runs into a resistor mounted on the inside of the dashboard. The resistor was bad and that shut it down. In all these restoring old Fords videos, nobody mentions the resistor.

On my 1949 8n I had power to my coil, conductivity Through my distributor, and still no spark. With the test light it showed a solid light while cranking as mentioned I thought I had a points and condenser issue, so I rebuilt the distributor and still no change in symptoms. I happened to have an extra coil wire resistor and it fixed my issue. Now I have the flashing light while cranking/running. Thank you for all you do. A lot of us couldn’t do what we can now without you!!!!

Great tutorial. i actually went ahead and ordered this tuning kit and shipping was fast and i got everything i needed. outstanding service, and there site was very easy to use. i highly recommend Dan and Rachel for your tractor needs. thanks guys.

I just got my new-to-me 8n running after 23 years of sitting in a field. I legitimately couldn't have done it without your videos. Now that I know it runs, I'm looking forward to ordering a laundry list of parts from you!

Great videos! Very articulate and entertaining. After watching this video,, I just ordered a bunch of distributer parts from your parts site. Super prices and the added confidence I'm getting the right thing for my machine. Thank you!

I just got a '49 8N. I love this channel. Great job! Thank you!

As usual, another great video! However, at 4:40 you describe how the distributor can fit back onto the motor if the rotor is 180 degrees off. The two tabs on the distributor that fit into the center of the cam gear are offset from the center of rotation. The distributor will not fit properly on the motor unless the tabs are correctly aligned with the slots in the cam gear. You might be able to force it back on, and break things in the process, but it will be obvious that something is not correct. With the distributor loosely attached with one, or both, of the bolts, but not fully seated on the motor, the distributor housing should fit smoothly and flush to the cover. If not, slowly rotate the rotor until the tabs engage in the cam gear slots. The rotor will only go on the rotor shaft one way, and the distributor will only mount to the motor one way. However, as you stated, if you pay attention to the position of the rotor when the distributor is removed, and no one rotates the crankshaft, then assembly will be easy.

You seem to be the most knowledgeable 8N mechanic on youtube, you for sure have the most comprehensible videos of anyone.

The great thing about your videos Rachel is that you don't edit out your mistakes. Nice one

Dan and Rachel, Your tutorials have been a great help to me and my 48 8n. Recently the poor thing would die and refuse to start. I watched and used all the tests Rachel showed on the distributor video. When I got to testing to see if my points were open/closed, half way through a good test the power went out. Turns out the ignition key barrel has a loose contact. If the key moved a bit...dead. I was able to track it down with Rachel's help. Thanks. Your prices are competitive as well, I am sure my 8n will be getting it's share of parts from you guys.

Just rebuilt mine on a John Deere model 40 thanks to your awesome video. It was pretty similar. I always check your site first for parts!

Couldn't ask for a better more confident instructor. 👍 My 9N just died coming across the field today. Getting fuel but no spark. With the rotor and coil in the nearly inaccessible front of the engine area I wasn't too happy. Watched this video which made it easier than it actually looked and along with a dirty ignition system found a dead condenser. These N series tractors are workhorses worth keeping alive. You and your dad are a big help in keeping them alive. 👍

Oh man! You're awesome! Thanks! Just bought a 2N... Subscribed! cheers!

I want to thank you so much for this video..last time I replaced my points in my 9n was 25 years ago and I removed the hood and radiator. This was so much easier and your step by step made it so simple..im a gardener here on RU-vid and am now ready to disk my garden to get ready to plant...thanks again.. Rick

Thanks a lot. I am the owner of a 1946 front distributor y this videos help me a lot. Congratulations.

Really appreciate your videos! Just ordered all the parts for my 850 top-end rebuild from you. Figured you earned it after all the free education! Just wish you weren't sold out of push rods. Those are like hen's teeth right now.

Awesome video as always. Even an old dog like me can learn the correct way to keep these tractors running like new. Thanks Rachel!

Rachel, I found a great set of 2 large clamps, & 2 small clamps to go onto the VOM leads at Menards. Thank you for helpful videos. Hello from north east Montana. 10 miles from the Canadian border.

I really enjoy watching your videos...I might have mentioned that there is no hesitation in your presentations...It is refreshing that you aren't trying to win an oscar or try to make jokes about what you do...you are a natural...

Another win!! Thank you for your insights and knowledge. I was able to diagnose and repair my 8n thanks to you and the products I ordered from you. You guys are awesome.

Great video! I’ll use this when working on my distributor tomorrow! Thank you

This world needs more talented lady’s like you!! What a breath of fresh air, simply amazing.

I have the old front distributor on my 8n. It was a pain in the butt until I put in a set of expensive points and modified it to take the round style coil. It runs like a champ now and I cut hay and plow snow with it.

Very thorough, informative and clear instruction. Well done. Thank you for the help👍👍

I have an 8n and I just got a 9n. I knew which channel to go to for info. 😀 Rachel you do a Great job with your video's

Awesome Video! This was very helpful to diagnosing my tractor's failure to start!

Watched this before but always worth revisiting. As a refresher course.👍

Sent this to my daughter and niece to learn mechanics. Excellent!

Great job Rachel, clear and concise..

Very good video to follow! Awesome, keep up the great work.

Very impressive presentation on the 9Npoints, I’m a new subscriber now!

Great video! Couple of suggestions in removing distributor from 9n front mount. Do yourself a favor and loosen generator and push it in so as to move fan belt out of way. I had to remove distributor three times and re-attach three times. Before I wised up and got that darn fan belt out of the way, it took an hour each side to get the bolt off, and didn’t attach the distributor correctly ‘cause I couldn’t see it right, and wrecked one. Nice! Second/third time, I moved the fan belt - and removing and re-attaching distributor took only 5 minutes each side and could now see that the distributor was lined up correctly with the engine. I also found that you only tighten one side half way then tighten the other side. Easy Then! The third time I attached the distributor and coil ( I put them in attached before installing) I first did a bench test as I still wasn’t getting spark after the second time. This is what I did (after watching videos AND bugging my mechanic): With distributor and coil attached on my bench, I hooked up (via wire with alligator clips) 1x wire from positive post of battery to body of distributor. A second wire (also with alligator clips on both ends) -had that end to the negative post of battery, and other end to the Coil’s top post. I then attached a spark plug wire to a distributor port, hooked up a spark plug, and touched it to the distributor body while turning the slotted end. I got spark! I did this for all 4 distributor ports, each sparking as it hit their sweet spot. After the 1st plug sparked, the second didn’t, so I opened the distributor and shined up the brass screw where the twisty thing on the coil bottom touches it. After that better connection, the test on all four distributor ports produced spark. Also for the 9n the gap on points is .15 not .25. But whatever! Great video! Followed your instruction to the T, and it worked. Followed your carb video to the T, and that worked too! Smart young lady

Hello, I just moved to Goodrich, Mi, and purchased a small farm off Dutch Road. I stopped in at the Steiner Tractor store for a look around and to purchase a front tractor emblem for my old 8n! I took 1 photo of my wife sitting in a chair and the counter clerk told me no taking pictures in the store. He demeaned me in front of another customer, and my wife! I don't plan to return to Steiners or make further purchases from them. (Occurred on Monday, July 17, 2023)

M still shocked this lady is good. I like her tutorials, wish to buy a tractor now. M inspired

That tractor started amazing!!! My tractor never started that easy, why I'm here!!!

Another fantastic tutorial video 🌹

Awesome video keep them coming.

Just did this today on my 2N. Thanks!

Just recently encountered you folks videos. Your good teachers . Thznk you

I always love your videos, I have learned so much from you. The only thing I can add to this video is the cam on the back of the distributor is offset so it will only install one way. If you get it 180 out you will break the case when you tighten the bolt. Don't ask me how I know this.🤣🤣🤣 Great job young lady. You are an inspiration to us all.

I really appreciate y’all!

thank you! Awesome video! much appreciated.

Enjoy all your videos.

Great detail as usual

Great video I will now be able to fix my problem . I'm more of a massey ferguson guy. But you do really great videos .

Thanks Rachel!

Good information great job 👍. Thanks 😊!!

Great video very informative thank you

Great video one keep up good work

Great video you all !!

The coil is the electricity distributor for Bouaghi, from which the machine works. Thank you for this

Awesome tutorial, thanks

Great video

Great video!

Checked ours while you went thru yours. thanks.

Nice job rachel

yes Mike you are rite I've got a 1949 8n and the dist goes on one way only you can't hardly make a mistake unless you force it, then some thing is going to break.

The video covers the bases well but as an old time Ford tractor collector I have some additional advice. The anti seize lubricant has tiny particles of aluminum in it to give it anti seize properties and this feature of the lubricant isn’t necessary for a rotating shaft. A small amount of any high temperature grease will work. A little bit should also be applied to the top part of the shaft and a tiny amount to the lobes of the rotating cam. I use a high tech Teflon containing grease sold for use on guns and available at any gun shop. There is such a thing as high temp distributor grease but it’s very hard to find. There IS a procedure for setting the timing that is described in service manuals, either Ford’s own manual (reprinted) or the aftermarket manual sold on this website. It’s frustrating and you need three hands to do it but it can be done. If there is much looseness and ability to wiggle the shaft laterally in the top and bottom bushings it’s worn out and you need a rebuilt or new distributor. I own 9N52, the fourth oldest N tractor known to exist plus 11 more N’s so I’m pretty familiar with them.

Excellent! Thank you!!!

Thanks for the video nice job I'm looking to buy some parts from you for mine, I do have a question do you have a video on the rebuild of the transmission of a 9n ford?

Thanks for the video, however I wish you had done one on a side mount distributor for an 8n as nobody has a video on later Ford 8N’s with the side mount distributor. I own a 1952 8N.

Safety glasses for bail removal and install. A+

you have the speed run anxiety hands on full tilt at 6:00 to 7:00 - I know the feeling from making videos lol

Thanks for the video

She is awesome. Thanks!!

Good lord!! Nice job. I feel like I'm back at auto class 101 LOL Good to a young person turning a wrench.

You’re very close to 50k!

Well done!

Appreciate this vid. Sounds like an upper Midwest accent

Good video. The troubleshooting can be applied to most distributor ignitions on engines so hopefully as many people as possible watch this and benefit from your run through.

great info !!!!

Great video. I have a 9n I am working on. It idles very well but will not rev up past half throttle. It is like it starts to miss. I have went through the distributor per your video and have completely rebuilt the carburetor. Is there something I am looking over?

Thanks so much. Points scare me to death.. great video..

Thank you so much.

I hope my daughter and I can also share the hobby of working on our ford tractors.

So Rachel you make great videos to the point and extremely helpful, your old man must be proud. have you done any 12 volt conversion videos I have a Ferguson TO 30 and am thinking of doing it to the old beast.

Rachel, I am getting a 1.3 voltage at the coil while running this test with a fully charged 6.5 volt battery, obviously not enough to fire the plugs…where is my next measurement going to be? I prefer to solve this prior to installing the premium 12v conversion I got from you last January 2023…. Yup, been in the shop waiting. I have a Dearborn loader and it is tight in there. Hood has been removed for better access

point of fact, at around 4:50; you can NOT install this distributor 180deg. out of phase. the shaft is offset so it only fits one way. if you manage to get the bolts to line up and threaded that way, the shaft will be pressed out by about a quarter inch causing the distributor cap to not fit. if that happens, you have to press the shaft back in (by press i mean lightly tap it with a hammer and hope the bearing doesn't pop out). i learned this the hard way :)

Me gustan muchos tus Videos

@5:40 Do you sell this replacement brass-looking screw on your website, or know of another place to find one? Mine is very damaged looking when I pulled my distributor apart and I think its making a very weak connection to my coil giving me spark issues. Thanks!

I watched video and bought parts for an 8n from her… the price was better than Amazon and was shipped out faster than Amazon.

Very nice and useful wark video from india

Well, I guess I should make sure it cranks first. Still, once I get to that point it'll be good to know what to look for and what to do.

Your awesome!

We have a Ford 2N and been trying to rewire it unsuccessfully. I even ordered a dvd on tractor rebuild. Do you or can you do a video on rewiring a Ford 2N? This one also has an electronic ignition. Thanks.

Thanks for tichinng me

Do you have a video to replace the distributor shaft bushing

Another super helpful video thanks again for the help. Definitely remove the distributor to perform this task

According to your coil/distributer electrical test with the tester, as long as your tester is flashing, that should confirm firing correctly. Correct? If solid light, points are stuck closed? If not lighting at all, points are not closing or bad coil? I'm a FIY person, not a mechanic but find your instructional videos helpful. You move a little fast for us old folk but I can stop, rewind and playback. Unfortunately, that's a lot for me. If yourself or any viewer can comment on my post to help out, feel free. Any advice may be good advice.

I have a harry ferguson am getting juice to the coil on both sides and to the points but no fire to the spark plugs

A question for you, why set the points to 25 when 15 is recommended setting

Another really helpful video. Just curious- why continue to use points at all? Why not eliminate them with a modern solution like a Pertronix kit? That way, you don't have to worry about wear and adjustment ever again.

Well I don't have an 8N Ford tractor but you're smartness help me on my j20 ditch Witcher to get it going thank you very much you're a very smart girl I should say young lady have a great day

Thanks, extremely helpful! My 8N thanks you! LOL