Saved From the Crusher! Will this 80+ Year old Ford 9N Ever Run Again??? 

Yes she'll live again my pap took a 9n out of a field where it sat for years and tore it down and rebuilt its like brand new hes no longer with us but I still have the tractor and I won't let it go so shes a garage decoration that I still start and ride around the field for the hell of it

Hi Mat, When we lived in the Hartford area of Connecticut, our adjoining neighbor was George, the Farmer. George had a Ford tractor that was in constant use. Another neighbor, rebuilt a Ford tractor, and gave George a hand when he had mechanical problems. One day the Hobby Ford tractor neighbor came to George and asked him to participate in a Tractor Meet in Eastern Connecticut. At the meet, the tractors were all lined up, and George in his usual overalls answered questions about his well used tractor. On man asked George how he got the steel tractor seat so highly polished and shiny. George, who never said much, looked at the man and said, "you put your ass in the seat when the sun goes up, and it stays there till the sun goes down. If you do that for 40 years, your tractor seat will become shiny too!"

I started driving my grandfathers 8N Ford when i was 8, six years later he decided to completely restore it and I was blessed to help with the bodywork, paint, rebuild ,and convert to 12 volt. I spent the next 20 years doing everything on our 200 acre cattle and sheep ranch with that reliable old gal. including teaching my son to drive that tractor. When my grandfather died we had to sell the ranch and tractor, but I moved back to the area 15 years later and I visited the new owner and the old girl still looked and ran great. Its now been 58 years since I first saw her and she still works like a champ, this video brought a flood of emotion, thank you THANK YOU THANK YOU.

was going to mention that you had to engage the pto to lift the three point hitch, but you discovered it. Good job saving that little gem.

It's rather humbling when you consider the fact that in all likelihood, most, if not all of the human hands that had any part in that machines' creation are now gone. Some of them long gone, I'm sure. And yet, this machine, their creation, gets to live and breathe once again. Thanks for saving it. I understand the affinity for old iron.

Love the look on your face every time you get one of these old machines running. Don’t ever lose that enthusiasm. 👍🏻

I bet you all the people that made it have passed on. You've resurrected their hard work. Yes, you have saved a piece of history 👏

It's awesome how you never loose your joy when something old starts running again

👍Nothing better than a new Diesel Creek video on a Saturday morning.👍👍 Love those old Fords!!

One of my favorite things about this channel is Matt's enthusiasm when something finally starts running. Doesn't matter if it's an old chainsaw or a 60k pound diesel excavator. It brightens my day every single time. Thank you Matt. In a disposable society, it's nice to see old iron live again.

Not sure if you know this or not about the fuel valve, but it's a two stage valve. The tractors don't have a fuel gauge (Some of the dealers sold one that was basically a paint stick with marks on it that you would dip into the tank to tell the level). For normal operation you open the fuel valve like half a turn, and then when it starts to stumble you open the valve all the way and that opens the lower fuel feed which gives you another gallon or so of fuel, idea being the "reserve" will get you back to wherever you need to go to put fuel in it, similar to the "reserve" on an old motorcycle.

So happy to see this. I learned how to drive on a 9N, on my uncle's farm in Ireland. I'd say it was on the 'wrong' side of the road as well, but the darn thing took up the whole road in rural Ireland anyway :)

I restored a 1953 Golden Jubilee that sat in a forest for years. Dragged it home and did a full restoration. I use that little Ford every summer with a finish mower. She does purr like a kitten and is a joy to operate. Well engineered and built to last. Great video as always Matt. Thanks for saving another classic

Professor Matt, the mechanical archeologist 👍

This brings back such good memories for me. My best friends growing up had a small farm and one tractor, a Ford 8n. They did everything with that thing, plowing, discing, planting, corn picking, hay baling, you name it. Such a cool little workhorse.

what a gem of a tractor...love the content... thanks for the joy and happiness Matt

First tractors I learned to drive were this type - bulletproof and they will run forever with a little care. For smaller jobs they are perfect and there's no corporate deere john keeping you from working on it. Well done, Matt.

Nice save, that machine has lots of life left in it.

Your videos are the best!! My hubby & I love watching these. It's so cute how you get so excited when you get the machines to work - love how you clap & get excited! You're brilliant! How did you learn all of this ‐ amazing!! Great editing, too 👍👍👍👍👍😍

First time on your site Matt and it certainly won't be the last. I thoroughly enjoyed the video and loved the tractor. I am no mechanic by any stretch of the imagination, but I love just about anything really old mechanically, and seeing them brought back to life is fantastic. Thanks for a very entertaining and satisfying video, I enjoyed every minute. Cheers from Wales.

The pto has to be engaged to operate the lift arms. Nice video!!!!

I think I spent more hours doing farm work in those N series Ford seats than I spent in school desks in my high school years. They're great little tractors.

We had one on the farm back in 1959. It was a little newer with a slant 4 and the next gen electrical (lol). Was a great machine that ran forever. Ours had a front end loader so it worked well with our old MacK Dump truck. Nice job

Thank you! Lots of pleasant memories. My Dad’s Family had a 1938 Ford Tractor. My Dad used to place me on his lap and I could steer the Steering Wheel while he was seeding the pasture. You’re right, This Ford Tractor is still very popular among many who maintain their farms. Lots of add ons which Ford also sold to the Buyer. A very practical and worth both keeping and taking care of. Hopefully he can make use of.

Thank you for saving it. I just restored a 2N (1952), hadn't run in over 25 years and many parts had been removed. Tractor Supply supplied the parts to get her unstuck and popping again and once confirmed it was a runner I completely restored it including the hydraulic system, built my own wiring harness, added LED lighting, an alternator and a paint job. She spends her days cutting trails and pulling a wagon for the grandkids and their friends. Best $1k (including the cost of the tractor) I ever spent.

I love Matt’s reaction every time he gets an engine to start for the first time. You can’t help but be happy for him!

I learned to drive on one of these - at 15 I spent a summer pulling trailers back and forth from the the field to the packing shed with a 9N that was set up with a pintle hitch. I loved that tractor - always started and ran like a clock. I can remember idling there waiting for a trailer and it was like I could hear each cylinder hit as it ticked over so slow. That thing would run forever on a tank of gas. Wish I had enough property to warrant having one now.

Well done Matt. Regarding the leaking exhaust manifold on the Ford tractor, a little trick I have had to adopt sometimes. I once had a straight 6 with a buckled exhaust manifold, a common problem on the Nissan RB engine. Removed the exhaust manifold, put a bead of RTV (resists high heat) silicon on both sides of the exhaust manifold gasket and let the RTV set first. Refitted the manifold to the head but only a little more than finger tight so the manifold didn't crack. Started engine and let manifold heat up. Slowly tighten manifold bolts as manifold heats up. You will get a good seal and the silicon gives you lots of tolerance to cope with warping without the manifold leaking. Hope that tip is useful one day.

I always loved these old Ford 9Ns - they worked the farms that kept America fed during the war and that so many of them are still running is a testament to their solid design. Good on ya, brother!

Love hearing those old motors come back to life. It also makes you happy, too.

It brings back fond memories. I was between 5 & 8 years of age when we had a new one like that and I put many miles on it. Thanks for posting it!!!!

Great video ! I had a 39 9n and it was 6 volt positive ground so you may have toasted the coil unless there's a ballast resistor in line there. My 9n had two brake pedals on the right side. Also the pto was not disengaged with the clutch and lots of stories about driving out through the barn wall trying to stop with a brush hog still spinning on the back. I showed my two young children how to drive a manual trans with it and it was tradition to drive tractors to the last day of senior school. I kick myself every time I think why I sold it !

Love seeing old* iron saved Well done

Dan and Rachel Gingel have good tutorials for small tractor service and lots of parts available for the Fords.

FYI ...worked for an auto/diesel shop for some years in Central CA. We converted many 8ns, 9ns, Jubilees and other 6v tractors to 12v alternators. The main reason was the spray rigs. They have to be pulled extremely slow. The 6v generator wouldn't keep them charged. The alternator will charge at an idle.

This is a super special tractor for me. The first one I learned to drive as a child. I still keep a model. Thanks for the great video

We have tons of the Ferguson equivalents, they're pretty much the same thing, and they're great, they mechanized farming and fed us all! My dad has the TE20 that one that one of our predecessors acquired, it was the first one in the whole district. We still use it for small tasks around the farm all the time, like moving trailers in tight spaces, pulling timber etc. For anyone buying this tractor off of Diesel Creek: 3 point hitch: Make sure the lever on the left side of the transmission housing (just above and behind of where clutch pedal is) is set toward the rear, with engine running and clutch in (edit: Nvm you did, and it worked, nice!). Don't keep it on all the time, because of unnecessary wear. It uses transmission fluid as hydraulic oil, check transmission oil levels, if it's low the pump will cavitate = Not good. And yes, you're using the 3-point lever correctly ^^ When you change transmission oil (and it takes a lot, 5% of the total weight of the tractor is fluids ^^), or need to top it off some, don't go with expensive modern types, use a non-sulfur oil, VERY important, non-sulfur, otherwise it will prematurely wear/destroy transmission internals. So just go with the cheapest natural dinosaur soup you can get with a minimum of additives, these tractors were made to run on that for centuries! Hydraulics mesh filter is at the bottom of the transaxle casing, look for a small lid held in place with bolts, if it's clogged up that's why the 3 point hitch won't lift (not applicable, as you got it running, but still something to check), be AWARE that when you take it off, ALL the oil comes out, so have a 10-15 gallon bucket ready, I advice heating up the transmission by driving it around some first. Be CAREFUL in cleaning the filter, NO screw driver to scrape the sludge off or you will puncture it, rags and fluid solutions ONLY. Don't be discouraged by white-soup coming out instead of oil, that's just because water contaminates it a little via non-existing gear shift rubber boot. If you have to rebuild the pump, watch youtube videos on rebuilding 8/9n/te20 pumps, they're all the same and comes apart the same, when you take the transaxle top lid off (where seat and 3-point top link spring & hydraulic return dampener mounts to), there'll be lots of sludge and crap at the bottom, don't be discouraged, it's normal, just clean it out ^^

That fuel tank looked brand new inside apart from some debris in the bottom, WOW!!

I have that exact same tractor and it sounds in every way like mine.including the exhaust leak. So glad you took the time to save her. You will find it will work for hours on just a couple quarts of fuel . Great video.

Thanks for the video, I owned a 2N which is just about identical to the 9N other than the oil bath air cleaner. We used it on a homestead in the 80's -2004, all my daughters learned on that tractor. God Bless and thanks. Doug

That original radiator cap alone is a collector item.

It’s crazy how simple, durable, and easy to work on those tractors are, especially when you compare them to today’s tractors, that need a special coded computer to even begin diagnosing the thing

Great video with great editing. Very enjoyable to sit here and watch you work. (Ha!) Born in '49, I loved going up north with my parents onto my grandparents farm in the early and mid '50s. I'd go out to the shed with my little brother, and we'd sit for hours on grandpa's Ford tractor and "work the pedals" while pretending to drive it. Getting a tractor ride while sitting on the fender was the best fun. As a teenager, I got to drive a few of those Ford tractors. I'm an engineer having majored in internal combustion engines and have done a modest amount of tinkering on engines and have rebuilt a couple. Unlike you, I suffer from a lack of patience and perseverance, qualities that are mandatory to bring these old engines back to life. I applaud your tenacity. Thanks, again, for this video.

I had a 9N that according to the serial number, was built in July to August 1941. When I bought it, it was 50 years old and I was amazed that my local dealer had all the parts I needed including an exhaust manifold, a radiator, and a gas tank. It ran like a top.

I agree with keeping stuff from going to the scrap yard or landfill. I do the same with small engines and old lawn mowers

Matt, as you discovered the PTO must be engaged to lift the 3-point arms. You’ll notice that the PTO stops when you step on the clutch and the hydraulics will lower if there is a heavy attachment on it when you step on the clutch. Most tractors after the 9N era had what is called “live PTO” which means the PTO runs when the clutch is disengaged. The 9N, 2N, and 8N were important steps in agricultural engineering, but they did have their quarks. It’s hard to beat an old 9N. They never die! Thanks for saving a piece of ag history!

This looks like an awesome project, Good luck with it, I bet you'll have her going.

My neighbor up behind me has 2 of those old guys. Has had them for years and years. I don't know what models they are, but one was made in '41 and the other is a later model, I think a '47 or '48. Anyway, I love watching him drag our dirt road, and just use 'em around his ranch. They both look very similar to the one you showed. Thanks for the video. I loved it.

Exhaust leak on #4 is a common issue on ford N series tractor, every single one I've seen has one. Ford decided to not put a bolt or anything there, and over time the manifold warps and eventually starts really badly leaking. Ours has the same issue.

Used to rake hay with one of those when I was a teenager. Great tractors run forever without issues!

I really love the channel you are a great mechanic and I enjoy watching you work. I live mechanics vicariously through you as I decided to retire, sell all my tools, home, vehicle everything and travel got bored traveling the USA and moved to Thailand. I miss the tools and equipment and fixing things others could not but I don't miss but a couple of people in the USA .... would love some merchendize from the channel but the shipping is 4 times the cost of the hats...lol Thanks for the time, effort and just love you put into videography, editing and ULing these vids so I can ride along with you repairing stuff again!

I have had two of these, the best and sweetest tractors ever. I love the sound of these little flat head 4s. These are very stable on steep ground. I mowed straight up and straight down some very steep old pastures. Turning around at the top requires a fast turn standing on the outside break. The best.

Beautiful tractor. Looks like they designed it for easy maintenance by the farmer vs modern machines. Should last another 80 years!

Matt is killing it with Diesel Creek. One of my favorites.

A nice video to pass the time, it was good to see it finally up and running. Perhaps the antifreeze smell is simply a drop or two from when you filled the radiator? It will be a fun project for someone

OMG I remember 50 years ago sweating my butt off in the July sun working my Uncles farm as a summer job with one of these. Just listening to the sound it makes brought me back. Thank you for this.

As usual fun to watch repair, as a old guy I like seeing the older stuff comming back to life.

Anytime I don't wind up with gasoline drizzling down my arm (usually to my arm pit) I consider it a success. Well done!

Yeah we had one my dad used on the form, great memories. I sure do remember the sound it makes. I hope you keep it.

Absolutely love when old equipment bought back to life .

What a good start ,to the day.Coffee and Matt running me over ,with the horn blowing.😁😆Glad , you save the tractor 👍

83 years old no computer junk on it runs good ( john deer should pay attention ) ive run both 8n and 9n for years i would oil change use engine restore additive brings compression up these are great for twist through the bush very small foot print with little care it will run for another 20 years. great video matt thanks

My great uncle had an 8N, and my uncle had 3 old Farmalls. I grew up around old tractors and I still love them to this day!

I remember riding on my dad's 9n as a child.,.we would stand on the axle and hold on to the fender...good times, thanks for saving this old girl, they really are spectacular tractors....the ones your grandparents or parents bought new after WW2, peace.

Your genuine excitement when you get something running is worth the price of admission! Thanks for sharing

I would keep that thing forever because it's such a survivor! And I've seen your other equipment now and I think that's got a place in your collection. 👍👍🙏🙏

Reminds me of my childhood, making a garden with my Dad. Very reliable tractor with not a lot of upkeep.

Hell yeah brother I love my lil 8n. I paid 165$ for it an she's been a great lil tractor. My grandpa had a jubilee when I was kid an I learned how to drive a tractor on it.

I had a 9N 1941 model. It had 19" front tires with one rib only. Weird looking tires. I'd say at some point in time somebody swapped yours out with newer 8 N or Ford Ferguson tires Matt. These old Fords didn't have Live Hydraulics in the early years. In order to get the hydraulics to work you have to engage the PTO.

These old Ford 9N tractors were Blistering fast for there Time frame Matt 0:35 @Diesel Creek

I've come to learn everytime I sell something I end up regretting it later. These old tractors are always worth keeping for their reliability and simplicity.

I got a 9n and they're handy little tractors to have around. Easy to work on too. Also the I beam axel supports identify it as a fairly early 9n. And the air cleaner is fully under the hood. Later 9ns have a tube coming out of the hood and the 8n has a grate on the right side of the hood.

I am always amazed at how these old tractors come back to life. That engine sounds so nice and will sit there and purr like a kitten. Thanks Matt and thumbs UP to you! 👍💯

Learned to drive on a 8N We farmed 350 acres with it. Used for everything from plowing , discing, baling hay to bush hogging, a great tractor.

Hey Matt! Had an 8N when I was younger, solid piece of equipment but can be a royal PITA when dealing with fouled points or anything electrical. My dad did a12v conversion and rigged up an MSD (I believe) digital ignition, was super reliable after!

You found a great tractor, Matt! I hope you do sell this on to someone who will restore it. I worked a six-acre farm with my late-1950 8N for over 15 years before I sold the farm and moved on. The N series lacks all of the bells and whistles and creature comforts of the new tractors, but how many of the newer tractors will still be chugging along and repairable after 80+ years?

Well, nice surprise to see a DC vid this morning!

It's definitely worth saving to fix up! We used this type model for landscapin 5:29 g.

I grew up on a 1953 8N. That sound when it first fired up really brought back memories. 🙂

We had a 9N in the 1960’s. As you discovered, the PTO must be engaged to use the hydrolic lift arms. The original front tires were about 3 or 4 inches in width. The front tires on your tractor look like they are about 7 or 8 inch’s wide. It is likely that someone wanted to install the wider tires on the front of your tractor and needed to use the old “hubs” to increase the space between the tires and the steering “swivel”. Great work on getting it running again!

Thank you for saving such a beautiful lil tractor , i wish more people did this

My cousin bought an 8N probably 35ish years ago and brought it to me and wanted me to get it running etc. I was 15ish, and I did. It was pretty fun working on that old jewel, sort of makes me want to find another. Thanks for the memories.

My uncle had one of these Ford models from the late 1920s early 1930s looking much like this one. It ran long after he was np longer able to drive it. One tough little tractor. He used his to haul 4 foot length pulp and hardwood from country areas just outside of Sussex NB Canada. It hauled amazing loads that far exceeded its size. Great little tractor.

Love that you have saved a machine that helped build this land so many years ago. We had a 8n that my grandfather bought back in the lake 60s until my dad sold it 10 years ago. Thanks for sharing Matt.

Good job getting it going, Matt - always good to save something from the scrap heap!

Really enjoyed this! Great save. Thanks for sharing.

Great to see her come to life again!

Another awesome video keep the great content coming 👍🏻🇺🇸🚜👍🏻🇺🇸🚜

Matt, I have the exact same tractor sitting in my shed. It supposedly ran 5 years ago but I never messed with it until last weekend. I am ecstatic that you made this video to help me along getting back and running. As a plus it has the brush hog attached to it as well.

My grandpa had an old 8n. It's really nice to see its close cousin coming back to life. First tractor I ever drove.

What a cool video. Learn a lot from your videos. Thank you for making these.

Had one of those growing up. Learned more about mechanics working on that when I was young. Glad you saved it from getting crushed

I loved watching you work, as you clearly know what you are doing. I had a 1953 Ford NAA that I used and worked on for about 10 years. I finally "restored" it, new parts and paint and nearly everything. That was a good old tractor! It is so great that you save a nice old machine from the scrap pile.

My Grandfather had the model and it ran like dream but he sold it while I was in the Army I wish we had it in the family. I firmly believe I would be using it today I glad you rehab this great tractor

You’ve got everything I’ve ever wanted. A home with a garage full of tools.. Thanks for doing all this filming. It really is appreciated. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

These tractors are some of the most reliable machines made, period. They were a solid established tractor on the seen giving Deere a run for their money. Nice work fella finding out that the high tension output spring was burned short from service in the field. This was definitely overlooked by the previous owner. One can definitely hear the exhaust leak for sure. Nice job Matt. Look forward to see more from you Sir. Peace vf

I could watch you getting old machines like this running everyday. What an awesome tractor and looks like so much fun!

Awesome! From Australia. ❤ to see oldies running again. Thanks

You are amazing at what you can do.

The easiest way to work on the distributor is to remove it and work on it on the bench. Lay the cap back, one wire, two bolts. The shaft end is offset so it only fits one way. You don't have to worry about timing. They don't have live power so as you found out the lift and PTO only work when the clutch is out.