I grew up on a 1939 Ford-Ferguson 9N, as soon as I could reach the pedal, until I wore that one out and traded it in for a 1950 8N. I always made those tractors do wonders in all type of farming situations and wanted to restore one in my current retirement. I bought what I thought was a 1941 9N at a farm auction. Later I discovered it was a 1945 2N. I thought I made a good purchase, until I got home and the motor bearings started squeeling, from no oil presure. This started a whole sequence of problems from the previous owners changes, lack of maintance, etc First was a complete engine overhaul (oil pick-up got squashed between crank and camshaft). Put in new clutch plate and throwout bearing. Replaced the left axle oil seal and bearings rebuilt the lower lift pins in differential housing, with tin from cans and red loctite. Cleaned out all the transmission, hydraulic and differential sumps, and new oil added. New gas tank and manifold. The previous owner had added a 12 volt alternator without other modification, which caused the wiring harness to burn out, requiring a complete rewiring. Installed a 12 volt generator from a John Deere junk combine, with a new voltage regulator. Polarized it to positive ground, like original, Installed a new 6 volt coil and bought and installed a 12 volt to 6 volt resistor (from Steiners) front mount coil with a ballast resistor, rebuilt entire front mount distributor. Changed turf tires to field tires (use on rims at auction). Finally cleaned and sanded and fixed rust outs with fiberglass and bondo. Spray painted it the 8N red and gray.
Final conclusion is I invested more time and money than I will ever recover, but I learned alot and try to educate other Ford tractor restorers. Especially on all Ford-Ferguson, Ford and Dearborn implements, and operation, having operated many in the 50'S.
Finally found a "Dearborn model 19-1 bulldozer" with chains and loaded tires, it now starts and runs good and plows snow all winter. In summer I put the Ferguson buzzsaw on and saw wood for the steam engines at Charlton Historic Park Gas and steam show, near Hastings Michigan.
My Dads 1958 Ford 600 has been completly restored and hopefully will finish the red painting this winter-spring and will join this 2N in work.
Charles Krammin,
age 74,
near Hastings Michigan
Ken bensley says
I thought 1945 2Nd were all grey. Trying to find what shade of grey was the original paint