9N tractor vs: 8BA starter interchange?
 

I am putting an 8BA flathead in a 9N tractor. I have an Awesome Henry kit and am mid-way through the process. I rebuilt the engine so it is new, but bone stock. Tractor had an almost new 12V starter. The V8 came with a nasty crusty out-in-the weather starter. Do these interchange? They look really close. Thank you for any knowledge and experience you can share.

I am a bit torn on starters anyway. To make this work you have to holesaw a 3" hole in the tractor bellhousing to use a stock starter. I have considered using a mini-starter so I wouldn't have to cut the hole-but I really want this tractor to have a stock look to it. Also, I don't need the extra torque since my engine is stock.

Re: 9N tractor vs: 8BA starter interchange?
 

Don't quite understand your question, but you will need to use whatever starter drive that works with your flywheel. l have an 8n but it is all stock, you should be able to change starter drives. Try posting to the link below, a few people on that forum have done the V8 conversions.

http://www.ntractorclub.com/forums/nboard/index.html

Re: 9N tractor vs: 8BA starter interchange?
 

Boy, they got forums for everything!

Re: 9N tractor vs: 8BA starter interchange?
 

My question is this: I have a new starter for a 9N tractor that came with it. I am putting an 8BA into this tractor. The 8BA core I bought had a crusty starter core. When I put the 2 starters side-by-side they look very similar. Is a 9N starter the same as an 8BA starter? Or the same except maybe the Bendix? If I can use the new starter I have it would save me from buying another one.

A second part to the question is if a gear reduction starter is worth avoiding the extra work of cutting a huge hole in the tractor housing. I think I am just being lazy here. If the 9N starter will work then it is a no-brainer-use it. But if I have to buy a starter, is it worth another $100+ above the cost of a regular starter to get a gear reduction and not to have to cut the housing?

Sorry for my un-clearness. Hope this is easier to understand what I am asking. Thanks!

Re: 9N tractor vs: 8BA starter interchange?
 

The first thing I purchased after I bought an early Ford tractor was a parts catalog and maintenance manual. You will need these whether you have a V8 or not. I don't have a N series tractor so I don't know what the part number is for the N series. The later NAA & 100 series have flange bolts to hold the starter on. The flathead used the two starter through bolts to both hold it on and keep it together. If the N is that way too and it has the same shaft length then it might be the same. The Bendix might be different though.

Re: 9N tractor vs: 8BA starter interchange?
 

Why can't you just do a test fit? If it bolts on and the drive lines up, try it out; it'll tell you if it's gonna work.

Re: 9N tractor vs: 8BA starter interchange?
 

The starters are different. The tractor starter is the same as the V8 60hp starter.
If you are going 12V I would go with the gear drive mini starter.

Re: 9N tractor vs: 8BA starter interchange?
 

Do your own 12 volt starter way easy

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=55549

R

Re: 9N tractor vs: 8BA starter interchange?
 

Thank you!

Re: 9N tractor vs: 8BA starter interchange?
 

I am using the gear drive mini starter on my Model A. It sounds "different", but seems to start a lot quicker than even the old 6v starter on 12v.

You are correct in that it looks different. Of course, your tractor is going to look different anyway with a v8 in it. I'd go for it!

Re: 9N tractor vs: 8BA starter interchange?
 

I know it will look different, but what I am going for is "Ford built a factory 9N with a V8" look. I want a how it might have looked in 1939. It will be painted red (yes, I know it should be gray, but red looks better IMHO) no chrome, iron heads and intake, etc. I am changing to an alternator for clearance but that will be buried. The starter is so visible. I guess I could paint it red too. Anyway, thanks for the advice. I will have to get off the fence and decide in the next few days.

Re: 9N tractor vs: 8BA starter interchange?
 

Unfortunately all the aftermarket kits I've seen require you to cut the bell housing to use the original tractor or car/truck starter because of the design of the starter drive. There is a company called Automotive Electric Services (see link below) that sells a bolt-on replacement for the Funk tractors, which will work for your kit as well. It does not look like original, but is an option.
In answer to you question, I'm pretty sure you can use your tractor starter if it bolts up okay. I know the starter drive has the same teeth on both so will mesh with the ring gear. I know there are some differences in V8 starters, but I'm thinking that is between the older engines before 1949 when the bell housing was integral to the engine. If the starter does not bolt up, I know many of the starter parts can be swapped between the two. And by the way, a 6 volt starter will work fine even though you are running 12 volt.

Automotive Electric Services

Re: 9N tractor vs: 8BA starter interchange?
 

The Funk brothers kit for 8N tractors used the big cast iron oil pan set up for the V8 conversions so that it would retain the unit strength required to keep the assembly rigid. The more modern kits use steel framing around the sump like the 6 conversions did but I don't know how well they will support the front axle assembly. Funk used I-beam for support on the 95 HP 6-cylinder conversions. I think they used the N type flywheel so they could use an OEM type starter. The Funk's built a good kit. They learned engine conversions by trial and error converting Ford Model B 4-bangers for use in their early airplanes before the war. Their Model B-85-C airplane was a good one too but it came along when you could buy war surplus stuff for pennies on the dollar so they had to resort to AG production stuff.

I think they even made some OHV 215 6-cylinder conversions before Ford discontinued the 8N tractors for the 1953 NAA Jubilee OHV tractors.