Great video, helped a lot with my installation. One thing I found out, by accident when looking on an antique tractor forum, is that the Pertronix part needs suppression spark plug wires, not the standard wires with a steel or copper core. I called Pertronix and they confirmed this. It's not mentioned in the instructions. Steiner Tractor has them, so does a company called Brillman. Pertronix says without the suppression wires, the electronic ignition can fail.

I had to switch my 2n over to 12 volt because I couldn't keep the generators working also..i done this about 10 years ago and havent had a problem since..just did a tune up with points, condenser. And rotor..ive been running this tractor here on my farm for 35 years. People love to see it in my gardening videos..ty for doing this video.. Rick in NC

Great looking tractor and well cared for. Just performed this same upgrade on a friend's 1946 2N but instead of connecting the red wire of the Pertronix ignition to the coil positive (37:30 in the video) I ran a dedicated wire from the ignition switch to the red wire of the ignition. Reason being, if connected to the coil terminal the voltage to the electronics in the ignition is dropped to 8-9 volts by the ballast resistor. This is less than the intended 12-14 volts normally applied to the electronic ignition during operation. One additional modification was to connect a ground wire from the stud that holds the electronics to the plate to the threaded hole where the condenser once attached to provide the best ground possible. Great work!

I rebuilt my Ford 8N last year, changed it over to an electronic ignition, thanks for making this amazing education step by step video Jason!! It started on the first crank over!!

I painfully watched another conversion video before I found yours, ty for a great edited learning video *****

This is a great video on the conversion I have been considering. Great Job Jason!

Great video!... You can't go wrong when you deal with Derek at Just 8N's! I'm fortunate to live about 20 minutes from his shop and he has been a tremendous help every time I go in!

Terrific video! I just bought a Ford 8N and a Ford 900. The 8N is a six volt and it runs fine - I used it last summer to operate a brush hog. The wiring is a mess on both tractors. The 900 uses a 12 volt but the alternator isn't charging the battery. I appreciate gentlemen like you who show me the right way to perform upgrades that don't take away the history of these historic machines. Thank you, Jason!

Jason, I keep coming back to your videos year after year as I do misc maintenance on my ford tractors. Your videos are by far some of the best on these models. Thank you.

My dad did that years ago on a ford tractor, convertto 12. Volt, alternator and electronic ignition. But left the starter as a six volt. Everybody said it would burn out . That starter was never changed ,it started so fast and easy.

One of the best informational videos I’ve seen by far.

The best description of any repair on KZfaq you have.

Yes as everyone else said Very good video. I'm like you today I put on and adjusted 3 different sets of points and even a new complete base plate with points set too, for a front distrisbuter and 3 times it ran for one minute and the points would not open and close for more than a minute and it quit running. ....Most New points are junk....I'm going Electronic on this one I have done it in the past and most of the times it's very easy install . When you put your test light on the coil to see if you had power I like to take it one step further and turn the motor over with the test light attached coil to see if the light blinks on and off telling me the points are opening and closing properly....GREAT JOB !!

Great video man; had an 8-N on the farm growing up. As a young boy I remember using it to feeding the cattle in the cold winters we used to have in north Georgia back un the 60’s. Rarely did it ever fail to start even in the coldest winter day and If it didn’t, it was always a battery issue. Just don’t make um like that anymore ! Great content and very informative 👍

Hi, I am back again and having a other look and would like to add a second comment. Always run the earth lead from the battery direct to the engine and then earth the engine to the bodywork, doing it this way gives a perfect power flow to the starter motor and eliminates any loose or dirty connections in the body or frame. I have been a heavy diesel mechanic on trucks and earthmovers for over fifty years so I am talking from experience.

Again thank you so much for your help I do not know a lot about these older tractors but I am very much wanting to learn. I enjoy doing all the work myself and do not like having to have other people work on my equipment. So your knowledge and the fact that you will take time to help his extraordinary. Thank you very much

Just bought a '40 9N with 12V but with points. Gonna get changed ASAP. Perfectly clear and information filled presentation - thank you, sir! Joe S (USAF Ret. AK and ID)

Again thank you for all the information on the electrical work

Hi Jason, just got finished watching this entire tape video rather and I’m glad I did because it’s exactly what I’m gonna be doing to my Ford two and when I get up and work on this spring when it gets up warm up West Virginia but I’m converting it over to 12 V and I’m gonna put headlights tail lights and electronic ignition too so it exactlyshow me how to do all that so good take thank you

I am not a tractor guy but the information on the electrical system was great. Nice looking tractor.

Very thorough video. Back in the day my Dad had a 9N. He took the front wheels off and replaced them with car tires. It was a lot smoother driving across a plowed field.

Jason...thanks for posting this video! I kind of stumbled onto your channel, and this conversion really interested me. I don't own a tractor, but enjoy working on vehicles. I wanted to let you know that your presentation was awesome!! Great camera angles so viewers could get a clear view, audio that was clear, and spot-on knowledge of the subject and explanation of the process. Thanks again and keep up the great work!

22:00 to 40:00 electronic ignition section. I had installed one on an 8n side distributor with instructions. This helped out Thanks

Awesome video. I used your video to do my 12 volt conversion on my 1947 2n. I ordered all my parts through Just8ns and was extremely pleased with the quality of parts. I have my own youtube channel and was going to video my conversion but nothing beats your video. very informative with step by step instructions. Thanks for putting in the work and time in to making this video.

liked your video nice looking tractor. I am doing and convert a 6N 6volt to 12volt and electronic ignition had a water pump go bad and dump all the antifreeze fan hitting shroud and sheared blade off a never got into radiator. I purchased the old tractor last year to handle job I was doing was a hassle to jumper it all the time. I'm a machanic have work on anything that rolled pushed or carried in door so I here you on the quality poor made products out there these day parts quality products use to last years and if they failed your could repair them or purchase a OEM standard repair kit these days its sucks because if you have a part fail you replace it with a worse quality made part that made in china you be lucky if you get a year out of it

Just watched this video for the second time, my brother has a 58 8n that sat for a while and was already converted to 12v. It won't run when it gets hot, sooo, so this video explains alot !!! I'm an OK mechanic, so this helped me answer all the question- problems that we are having ! Going to redo it your way!! Thanks! You have no idea how simple you made this for me! Good day! Especially about the resistors, figured there was one in the alternator , Going with electronic ignition also!

Nice walk though especially on the ignition . We had upgraded the 8n to 12volt long ago but electronic ignition looks like a nice addition...

Thank you I can hardly wait until it gets warm enough so I can go up and start working on the tractor

This is really helpful. Thanks for posting it.

MIne's a 1950. Redoing it now. Great video. You do excellent work. Thanks for posting .

There is a time for everything. Parts in a bag should you sell and you don't strike me as a seller. I love the fine detail and effort to keep original as most won't have a clue. I never apologize for making my stuff work for me as its mine and I can throw it off a cliff if I want to. You and I both know the satisfaction of using a tool that means something to the holder

A whole lot of great info. Man I love those old tractor's .

So cool! It is nice to see someone taking care of a historical farm tractor!

You make such informative videos. This was helpful in so many ways. Thank you so much!

ABSOLUTELY ONE OF THE BEST VIDEOS IVE SEEN.. YOU KNOW YOUR STUFF ! Thank you

Jason with your help, I just got Rachel running!!! Total rewire and electronic ignition. Never heard it run this good!! Bought 5 years ago finally get some satisfaction!. Driving her (41 ser# 85407) from Brunswick md to martinsburg wv cause I can't get a trailer..... thanks for your videos, hydros is next

thank you Jason , I was very anxious to hear it running , I hope you'll give that red a new coat, good luck with this piece of antique its beautiful , I just bought one its an 8N original shape it's already converted to 12 volt I will check the conversion as soon as my 8N will arrive to its new home.

Very helpful video. Excellent detail and rationale for each decision. Am impressed with what these old tractors can do

'MERICA! awesome video. Really appreciate your knowledge an explanation. I will be buying my first 9N I believe it's a 48. Hopefully my conversion to 12 volts goes smooth

Another "Great" for the video. Nice work explaining the centering of the static timing. When I installed the 1247 electronic ignition on my '50 front mount 8N I think I had to run a separate 12 volt line from the ignition switch with a diode to keep the tractor from running after I shut it off. I did have an after market ignition switch with no accessory terminal though.

Appreciate the details and explaining the parts and info on them. Thank you and keep it up

Absolutely excellent conversion, workman ship first class. Any detractors are just jealous numb-sculls.

Great video. I appreciate your attention to detail and the clarity of the video and explanation of what you’re doing. Thanks!

Good video - and I agree with you about the Pertronix. i've been using them a long, long time. I think the first one I bought was $12 or $18 ( can't remember now - about 1970). Over the years I've converted 7 or 8 vehicles and never had one go bad. Believe me, the're more than $18 now.

Thank you Jason for this very informative video. I converted mine to 12 volt using the kit from just 8n's and also there was a guy on the forum I forget which 1 it was.maybe the 8n forum.( I have a 1948 8n by the way,) who pulled the guts out of his coil put an external coil and then ran the coil wire down through the old cap and soldered the secondary coil wire in place where the coil contacts the dist. cap and that's what I did and it works really good I have an external coil that I got from Napa with an internal resistor 12 volt and it really works good and I just wondered what I'd have to do to put the electronic in there I'm using the points and condenser right now so probably just the same thing I just have to solder or just put the The wire coming up from the electronic ignition system to where I placed the coil wire now and that would probably work ideal.🎚️🇱🇷🇱🇷🇱🇷🙏🚜🚜btw the old 8n whom I named " BUbba-Tom" starts@the first punch of the starter button after it's warmed up.

Im the proud owner of a IH 434 witch i got after my dad passed away (it was his) and speaking of coolant i actually cant remember the last time the coolant on it was changed, i think i was 1 or 2 yrs old (im 14 now) so thats 12 yrs of pulling tree stumps out of the ground and driving medium sized row boats to the beach douring hot summerdays (20* plus) and ripping trees out like plants with roots and everything with me at the wheel (i was 10-11 so i remember it like yesterday) and now its sitting in a shed at one of my dads friends (my godfather) where im currently restorating it, i bumped the radiator a few days back and its leaking fluid so its gonna be the dirst time in over a decade its gonna recieve new fluids 💦

Great content! So happy you did this like they really should be done. Made the whole process on conversion seem like a cake walk, even though I'm certain it wasn't as easy as you made it seem. The addition of the Dennis Carpenter headlights also was in keeping with the original, being an actual Ford die that made the shell and rings. The braided wire loom was a logical and perfect departure for your connections. Thank you for your efforts. Know that if I should find myself working on a Ford N-series tractor one day, I'll have the know-how and confidence to tackle the job at hand. Will be staying tuned in for all your content in the future.

I don’t have a tractor yet but I’m glad I watched this video I’m still in the market for a 9n 8n or a 2n

Thank you! This video answered a few questions I’ve trying to find answers for regarding an 8n a buddy of mine has that someone swapped the 12v kit over from another 8n onto this one. There has been more than one issue or I should say conflict with the 3/4 12v kit and 1/4 6v system. 😤

Great video Jason....I have an 8N and it is in rough shape. Had it converted to 12v and this would have been very doable even for a non mechanic like myself. Thank you.

As always another great video watching you work is fun for me keep up the good work I would love to be there with you

Piney life Suggested your KZfaq channel and I am here for your guidance. Thank you for your knowledge and expertise. And hello, from Romulus, Michigan.

Man am happy you posted this going to change over thanks for the information Jason.

Thank you for explaining so well!.just what I need to get Rachel running well again. Thanks Tom in md

thank you Jason, replaced the coil and the 8N runs great.

Your very good at teaching a pretend mechanic like me how to do it the right way. Thank you now I'm able to try it myself. At least I've got a video to keep me from messing up. A shad tree mechanic such as myself always ends up with a few extra parts at the end of the job. Lol.

Great video. I've got a 1940 9n and the charging system never worked. I've seen videos and everyone wired up there systems differently and sorta scared me on doing a conversion. So I am ordering both a 12volt charging system and ignition system( always burning up points). Thanks for showing me/us how easy it is to do

Outstanding video! Tractor looks great 👍

Im doing my conversion now. I can see how the distributor is designed to only be installed one way but my distributor will go on either way so it definitely could be put on 180 out. To anyone reading this take note of the orientation of the shaft when you take the distributor off just in case.

Hello Jason I have a 8n 12volt with a 12volt coil also along with the white resistor so I don't need that great video

Great video thank you for sharing, i just bought 52' 8n an find this super helpful. Thanks again and beautiful work!

Really nice explanation of conversion. Very professional install! Looking at getting one of the tractors eventually...not sure which one tho!

Liked, subscribed, and did the notifications. Like your videos - very well done. I appreciate you taking the hood off of the tractor so that we could see what is going on. WOW- your tractors are CLEAN! I have a 1952 8N with Sherman transmission

Very good job look very nice are used to drive one of them he has a go on a big vegetable farm we have five or six of them

Good stuff. Will be using your knowledge on my ‘49 8n. Thank you!👍

12 Volt system is the only way to go on those tractors, we had a 8N the whole time I was growing up and that thing would barely start unless we had a brand new battery in it, we replaced batteries generators wiring everything and it never was dependable and I finally converted it over to 12 volt and just left the 6 volt starter in it and from that day on it started perfect every time and I never did have to change that starter, just a quick bump on the starter button and it was running every time, 12 Volt is the only way to go, hands down.

Great video, I really enjoyed it. Nice touch painting the alternator black. I've been on the fence about converting my 9N to 12V. It currently has a 3rd brush generator and I've had a few issues. I had to replace a cutout because it wouldn't close. I didn't notice for a while so the generator got really hot spinning with no load on it. With the new cutout it's charging but it's overcharging, I can't get it to charge any less than 9 amps on its lowest setting so I'm guessing it's only a matter of time before it needs the generator rebuilt.

Great video Jason so many use full tips in here dave from Ireland

Great video, you explained a lot,and I learned a lot as well so thanks.

Great video! It was very well done.

Thank you now I will change my 9n

Thank you for sharing your great video, I found it to be very informative. Thanks again!

Really an awesome video, I can't say enough about it !

Thanks Jason. I watched your other 2N videos as well. These will be extremely helpful to me when I tackle my 2N.

Great looking tractor and great job God bless you

Great video. Thanks

Great video. I’m a pretty big fan of antique tractors.especially the ford n models. I just subscribed

EXCELLENT THANKYOU

Outstanding video !! Very interesting !!

Boy I really know what you mean about the low quality import parts. It sure gets aggravating messing with that stuff. Especially when it goes down at the worst possible time. I had no idea electronic ignition was available, thats good to know, thanks :)

Great video thanks.

Electronic Ignition is the way to go.

Very detailed, Thanks!

great tutorial, very in depth.

Great to see you back again!

One big problem with using the 6 volt coil on a 12 volt alternator is that you have reversed polarity on your spark plugs. With reversed polarity, the spark jumps from the ground electrode to the hot electrode. The problem with that spark would rather jump from a hot surface to a colder surface. Making a hard starting hot tractor. I know, my grandpa & my uncle had 8, 9N, 2N, & 8N. Some 6 volt, some 12 volt with an alternator, some 12 volt with a battery charger. The way that you can check your spark plug polarity is, hold the spark plug terminal away from the plug, insert a sharp pencil in the gap. If the flare is on the spark plug side of the pencil, excellent! NOTE: I like to put a rubber replacement eraser on the pencil, if you touch the metal band, you will get shocked! Look in the tune up section of an old Motor’s Manual. Either the blue car edition or the green truck & pickup edition. Good luck. Looking good. Hello from north east Montana. 10 miles from the Canadian border.

Jason thanks for another great video.

Very good job, thanks for sharing.

Superb video

Nice job. Very informative.

Excellent video sir ! Thank you .. 47 .9N

Good sir thanks 🇮🇳👍🚜

Nice Video. Wish you could still get those radiators for $200 lol.

A good place to buy you battery terminals is napa. Solder on terminals. Best way in my opinion to make your own. About the same price too.

Jason... great video... Can you make a video explaining the wiring throughout these tractors? I love how you give an understanding of all the critical features..

I did this conversation as a young man with a hand drawn print

What you're doing to that tractor is the best upgrade you could of done to it it's not going to make it maintenance free but it's sure going to help you out of some stuff that is always having to be done to it and its more reliable for sure thanks for sharing it with us the new wiring harness is the best way to go with it expeshley with the newer altanateor charging system and the electronic ignition system the ones that have the problems with the electronic system is because thy had a short some were in there wiring every thing I have made this type conversations to seem to have more power because there working like there supposed to be and I've always gotten better fuel mileage out of them because of the better firing going to the spark plugs I would make a upgrade to the cap and wires while I was going that far with it and regap my spark plugs that old girl hasn't had that good of fire going into them plug's sense it was new run some sea foam through her to clean all that old carbon build up from that old weaker firing system it came with 50 years ago clean them old valves up she will definitely run better for sure that's why I say it's the best fix you could ever do to it

god you Tractor is sexy compared to mine. Wish I new some one that would rebuild my motor on my. Because it has low power but it still gets the job done. I changed mine to 12 volt because it starts faster and starts even on cold days with out any problems. I also maid my key start no need to push a button anymore I took all that out. and its no longer positive ground.

You dont have to worry about them generators if they dont charge unless your using the lights on the tractor after dark otherwise just charge the battery after your dine using it

I bought an 8n at an auction for 400 the rebuilt the motor new everything and could not get it to run and they said that they thought the cam gear broke or came off or it was out of time. I got it home took the hood of anticipating on taking it apart. I put a battery in it turned it over a few times and all it did was back fire through intake and couple time through exhaust looked at plug wires they were correct then I popped the cap and realized it had electronic ignition in it got looking at the wires out of the distributor which they did a really nice job putting it all in nice cloth wire loom and everything but they had the red lead on the neg side of coil and black on the pos side I switched them around and still did the same thing I played with it a little and then called pertronix they told me it was probably junk but how to check it and I ended up ordering other ignition got it in a couple days put it in and tractor fired right up so I got a rebuilt 8n with no hours on it for a little over 500 with the cost of buying the tractor and the cost of the new ignition