[AT] Ford 8n Under Dash Resistor?

william.neff.powell at comcast.net william.neff.powell at comcast.net
Tue Jan 6 10:53:28 PST 2009


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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