My Flathead V8 tractor build story

[markdtn]

I wanted to stay as close to an original as possible. My vision is to look like 1950. No zoomie headers, no aluminum heads or multiple carburetors. The only major deviations are the mini starter and aluminum radiator/electric fan. The alternator is also more modern, but it seems almost every tractor has converted to a Delco 10Si alternator. Just a few items on what it takes to put a V8 in an N tractor. 1) To use a regular V8 starter you have to cut away a piece of the tractor bellhousing. If you use a mini-starter you don’t. 2) With either kit the engine lengthens the tractor. I used NAA drag links for the steering that were longer than the 2N. When I converted the 8N I had to change 1 of them again. With a RR kit you need NAA radius rods too. 3) the 8N throttle rod works with 8BA and some bending. On a 2N it takes more work to change the throttle arm motion from side-to-side to push-pull but it’s doable. 4)Radiator. With the AH kit you pretty much have to use a stock width radiator. I started out with an N radiator with extra inlet and outlet. Went through 3 iterations of electric fans and controls. Could not keep it cool. Ended up with a taller and thicker aluminum radiator and a 3.0 Taurus 2-speed fan. Cooling issues went away. I think I am on the edge of problems but on a 5 mile ride I can keep it out of the red and that is good enough for me. I doubt I could plow in July with it so thankfully I don’t need to do that. With a RR kit you do more hood fabrication so you could use a wider and taller radiator and would likely have less issues. 5) Battery tray. On an 8N the stock one works. On a 2N it is too tall with a fuel tank underhood.