[AT] Ford 8n Under Dash Resistor?

Ronald L. Cook rlcook at longlines.com
Tue Jan 6 12:44:49 PST 2009


That is a ballast resister and is supposed to be there.  As it heats up 
it cuts the voltage down to 2-3 volts to the square coil.  I don't think 
that coil can take full voltage for an extended period.  At least that 
is how I remember it.

Ron Cook
Salix, IA

william.neff.powell at comcast.net wrote:
> Hello,
> 
> My brother-in-law let his 8n sit for about two years. Before he let it sit I had given it a tune up, carb rebuild, points, condenser, oil changes, plugs, coil, and I had it set up for 8 volt, it was previously 6 volts. Took generator to local auto-electric shop and he set the regulator for 8 volts. 
> 
> So, it had been sitting un-tarped for a while. I kept bugging him to get it going. Last Sunday I helped him start it. Bought a new 8 volt battery, opened the petcock and fuel started dripping out of the carb. Took the carb apart, lots of oxidation, was starting to varnish. Cleaned that out. 
> 
> It would not start after cleaning the carb. Checked the spark, there was none. Before bothering with take the distributor off (which is a pain as most 8n owners know) I checked the coil line for voltage using his headlight wire because he had no voltmeter. No light. Started tracing the wire back from the switch, I had light at the switch. Then I noticed a small block under the dash that had a wrapped wire resistor. The ignition toggle switch (no key on tractor) sent a wire to the resistor and after the current went through the resistor it was on to the coil. 
> 
> So, that little resistor was rusted out and useless... I bypassed the resistor and the tractor started right up. 
> 
> Is the resistor necessary? I'm guessing it's there to stop the points from frying up? Or it is in there to compensate for an 8 volt system, although I put in the 8 volt system  I did not add the resistor. (Who knows if it was 8 volt in the past?)  If the resistor is necessary where can I find one? 
> 
> Regards,
> 
> Will Powell
> Pottstown, PA



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