Tractor Stories – Testimonial To Old Friends

After sitting outside in the elements for Twenty Five years the 1947 Ford 2N came to life yesterday after being on life support for a few years.

The project was going slowly;  I had parts cleaned, painted and stored throughout the garage. I was certain I would remember where I put them. For the most part I did remember but some parts are good at hiding.

Anyway lifelong personal friendships were renewed today when the 2N engine started.  And that was on three cylinders as I forgot to take the test lead off of the fourth cylinder plug. Cylinders firing after sitting for many years is one of the all time great sounds.

My Friend always wanted a Ford N tractor because they were a fond memory of his early years in Indiana.  And so he purchased this 2N and the problem of hard starting; no starting and finally just sitting out there in the elements began.

But that was OK because my friend liked to see the 2N tractor sitting out by his barn. Seeing the 2N sitting out there added a dimension to his life that few others understood.

Once in awhile my friend would kick the 2N tires, check the oil and reminisce about the day he would get the 2N running. Together we tried the basic fundamentals of starting an old tractor.  We just did not know what we did not know. This is usually when a 12 volt conversion enters the discussion.

Time changes everything and my Friend hauled the 2N to my garage.  For the first time in over twenty five years the 2N sit inside under a roof out of the elements. I regret not taking some before photos with my friends.

The front tires on the 2N were mounted on car rims welded on the hubs. Tractor tires were hard to come by during WWII and old worn out car tires worked fine once the rims were altered.

The last job my Friend and I did together was cut those car tire rims off of the 2N hubs. No matter how bad my friend felt he always wanted to help with the project. But this was not work; it was quality time.

The electrical wiring was original. There were at least five different colors of paint on the 2N but the bottom coat was the original Ford Gray. Few like the Gray color but I would not want the 2N with any color but Gray.  The first Gray Ford tractor we saw was at the Henry Ford museum in Detroit Mich.

The 2N project was interrupted a number of times but the most notable interruption was my friends passing. I assumed He would always be around just as the 2N was always sitting in the field or in the corner of my garage.

The 2N project became a priority and I committed more time. After much to do; yesterday the 2N came to life with over thirty pounds of engine oil pressure on the new gauge.  And yes the 2N is rewired with the original 6 volt electrical system.

Not quite finished with the 2N project yet; could be the 2N may never completely be finished.  Great Friendships are never completed.

R. Shreve
Brinkhaven, Ohio