In Reply to: Ford posted by Caleb on February 16, 2023 at 11:21:56:
Caleb-
The FORD-FERGUSON 2N WARHORSE tractor was built on a 9N Tractor having the front mount distributor, and as stated already, the Magneto will not adapt to a later 8N engine after 1950 made with an Angle (Side) Mount distributor. The Magneto used was the FAIRBANKS-MORSE No. FMJ-4B73. I see them pop up on fleabay on occasion. There are however, several other special parts that were used on the 2N Warhorse that are even harder to locate for restorers. Some have spent ten or more years searching for these parts. There are a lot of old posts in the archives on the warhorse - plug in keywords '2N warhorse' and select 'ALL' from the MATCH box on the left then from the 'ALL' list on the right arrow down and select the N-Board forum by post numbers you want, and you can select and read the old posts. Veteran members like David 'Stumpy' Knowles and Chris Eby have restored 2N warhorse models and may be able to offer you advice and/or have some original items they'd part with. Here are some of the original 2N parts that were on the Warhorse. The steel wheels are pretty easy to find, they pop up all the time too, but all the rest are like tring to find a dinosaur egg.
2N WARHORSE PARTS, inconclusive:
No Electrics or Rubber
Steel Wheels
Magneto
Idler & Pulley Assembly
Marvel-Schebler TSX-38 Carb, with double throw choke lever
Front Choke lever from Carb to RH Dogleg
2N -17040 Spring Loaded Hand Crank
Steel Plate/Plug welded on AMMETER dash port
Steel Plate/Plug on Starter Pocket
Wiring Loom
Some parts like the plate plugs can be made, the hand crank can be made from a standard 9N crank making the added spring and spinner handle, and the front choke lever can be made as the print is here on this site somewhere. I have a TSX-38 carb I might sell. The other parts will be hard to find and could take years to locate.
Chris Eby's finely restored 2N Warhorse, before and after:
WIRING CONDUIT LOOM/PLUG WIRES:
Now, you do know that not all 2N's were Warhorse models, right? That is a misconception often made by some. On February 10, 1942, all US manufacturing came to a halt at Ford. It was not just Ford, it was all US manufacturing. rationing was enacted, and There had been plans at Ford to make some new changes and release a new model soon, the 2N, but steel wheels, magneto, and no electrics or rubber were never part of those changes. The war changed that. The 2N was not produced, did not begin production, until October, 1942 and the 6372 units built then were ALL warhorse models. By releasing it as a new model, the 2N Ford-Ferguson was able to get away with adding some of their planned changes plus making it the steel-wheeled/magneto warhorse unit approved by the War Board. It also allowed them to increase the sticker price as well. Warhorse production was over by April of 1943 as Ferguson went to Washington DC to plead his case that the country needed tractors to support the US war abroad as well as domestic efforts for food production. President Roosevelt had Harry bring a standard 9N tractor and a few implements to his farm in upstate New York to demonstrate. Roosevelt came and saw, loved the tractor and what it could do, bought the 9N and all the implements on the spot and the next day began to rescind his War Board directive restricting homeland production for all US companies. By late April, 1943 the new 2N model was ramping up production and now with electric starter and generator and on rubber tires. Only about 12, 000 units, maybe up to 15,000 Warhorse units were actually built. You'd have to take the block serial number to determine if it falls into the model years of late 1942 thru early 1943. However, many guys have built a warhorse with their 9N or 2N that really weren't orgininaly and that is fine, you wouldn't be the first and it is after all your tractor and you can do whatever you want with it. You will need to get an early block to use or find another 2N that will work. Good luck and keep us posted.