Hybrid Ford 8N Does 50 Mpg

Hybrid Ford 8N Does 50 Mpg TRACTORS Antiques 29-1-22 Install a 1948 Ford V-8 into a 1949 Ford 8N tractor and you end up with a hybrid that does 50 mph on the open road. All Jack Zembower had to do was design an adapter plate to match up the bell housing to the transmission, replace the cast iron oil pan with rails for a frame, and redesign the carburetor, air filters and distributor. Of course, nothing is really that simple in a project like this, especially when you cut steel plate with a drill press. "It took about 1,200 holes to cut three pieces of steel plate out so I could weld them together to make the adapter plate," recalls Zembower. Other changes weren't quite as time consuming, although the larger engine did require some adaptation to fit under the 8N hood. With no room for the original V-8 carburetor, Zembower crafted a water-heated manifold to sit where the carburetor normally sat. It extended to each side of the engine. He mounted an 8N carburetor to each side for dual carburetors. A second air cleaner was mounted opposite the original, and dual exhaust pipes were also mounted on the engine. Limited room beneath the hood also required the distributor to be redesigned. Instead of running the distributor off a gear on the camshaft, Zembower replaced it with an earlier design that runs directly off the camshaft. It was used on 1946 û 1948 Ford engines. "The transmission is original, but I added an over and under auxilliary so it can cruise," says Zembower. "I also changed the rear tires from 28-in. to 24-in." Because the hood remained the same, it takes a second glance to realize a V-8 sits in place of the original 4-cylinder. To mount the engine once the cast-iron oil pan was removed, Zembower installed 1/2-in. by 4-in. steel rails from the bell housing to the front axle supports. He then attached the V-8 to them. He also extended the hood about 2 inches ahead of the front axle to make more room for the engine. Zembower estimates he has approximately 4,000 hours in the project. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Jack Zembower, 437 McClain Rd., Enin Valley, Pa. 16120 (ph 330 549-3605 or 724 336-5380).

To read the rest of this story, download this issue below or click here to register with your account number.