[AT] Ford 8n Under Dash Resistor?

[Stephen Offiler]

3 volt coil... that's news to me, too.  Thanks Mike.

If originality is not a goal, but reliability is, you can sometimes
replicate the function of a wirewound resistor with a coil of regular
wire.  Depending on the resistance value needed, it might or might not
be practical.  Of course, the gage and length of the wire are two
critical variables and some math needs to be done to get it right.

Steve O.

On Tue, Jan 6, 2009 at 4:46 PM, Mike Sloane <mikesloane at verizon.net> wrote:
> Ron Cook is correct - the original resistor that sits behind and below
> the instrument cluster is to reduce the voltage to the coil - the old
> front mounted coil/distributor (found on very early 8Ns) is a 3 volt
> coil and it will overheat and burn out if subjected to the full 8 volts
> for very long.
>
> I have not had good luck with the replacement resistors that I have
> purchased from places like Valu-Bilt - they fail "open" after a short
> time in operation or even when the tractor is stored.
>
> Mike
>
> 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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>>
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