Massey Ferguson/Ford 8N

BigBob1234 · May 29, 2016

I have a tractor with an identity/electrical problem and I'm hoping somebody can help with both. My grandfather passed left me his tractor that hasn't started in a few years. The emblem on the hood says Ferguson 30, but while buying ignition parts, Ferguson parts (distributor cap and button) didn't match the old ones. Ford 8N parts did, however... I either have a Ford with a Ferguson hood or a Ferguson with a Ford distributor. Either way I have a tractor that still has no spark even thought I've replaced the battery, coil, condenser, (Ford) points & cap & button, wires, and plugs. I'm getting 6 volts at the coil primary and the secondary??? This is so bizarre. Any thoughts on either problem? Thanks!

Mike Groom · May 29, 2016

Bob,did you check across the points for fire with the cap off? A lot of the new points have a film on them and won't conduct,you may have to run some fine sandpaper through them to get contact.

teddy52food · May 29, 2016

6 volts at the 2ndary? How did you check to get that?

wjytexas · May 29, 2016

I have a '57 MF 50 with an 8N distributor. Runs fine.

Royse · May 29, 2016

"I'm getting 6 volts at the coil primary and the secondary???"

When you say primary and secondary do you mean the two
small terminals, battery side and the distributor side?
If so, that sounds right for when the points are open.
When they close the coil side should drop to zero.
If it doesn't the points aren't closing (could be physically or
electrically) or there is a bad connection inside the distributor.

If it is a Ford distributor there is a feed through post on the
side of the distributor. On the inside end of that post is a
brass strap that connects to the points. It often gets broken.

Anonymous-0 · May 29, 2016

Pictures, pictures, pictures. Then maybe someone can help you.

Elmo · May 29, 2016

Look at the engine. If it is a flathead it is a ford. If it is an overhead valve engine it is a Ferguson. Flathead has the spark plugs in the top of the head, overhead valve has the plugs on the side of the head.
Elmo

Steve@Advance · May 29, 2016

Easy way to tell if it's a Ford or Ferguson. The Ferguson will have an overhead valve engine, the Ford will have a flat head.

Checking the voltage at the coil, ignition on:

You should get battery voltage (if still 6v and no resistor) on the ignition side of the coil, and battery voltage on the distributor side of the coil with the points OPEN.

You should get 0 volts on the distributor side with the points CLOSED.

jwmfarms · May 29, 2016

You probably have a Tisco replacement distributor. They used a Ford style distributor, with the bottom end converted to replace the Delco in the Ferguson's Continental engine. I have run into this before, while working parts at an MF dealer. Hope this helps.

Massey Ferguson/Ford 8N

BigBob1234

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Mike Groom

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teddy52food

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wjytexas

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Royse

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Anonymous-0

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Elmo

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Steve@Advance

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jwmfarms

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