1947 8N Ford ballast reserter red hot

[Dannah Schuler]

Hi,
I'm new here. Joined to help my Father.
He has a 1947 8N Ford . He has replaced the coil , distributor and rebuilt the starter.
Problem is the motor spins but the ballast resistor turns red hot.
I'm probably not phrasing the question correctly or giving enough info but it is a start.
Thank you for any help.

 

[HFJ]

wire from the resistor is shorted to ground somewhere?

 

[old]

Hi,
I'm new here. Joined to help my Father.
He has a 1947 8N Ford . He has replaced the coil , distributor and rebuilt the starter.
Problem is the motor spins but the ballast resistor turns red hot.
I'm probably not phrasing the question correctly or giving enough info but it is a start.
Thank you for any help.

Take the wire off the top of the coil and then turn the ignition switch on. If it get how then you have a short some place. If it doesn't get hot good chance there is a short in the distributor or the points are bad and not opening as the y should

 

[Eman85]

Is it 6V or 12V? What was the original problem that caused all of the parts replacement?

 

[Dannah Schuler]

Flat head 4.
Parts where replaced because is was not starting then but that was 10 years ago.
Thanks for helping

 

[old]

Flat head 4.
Parts where replaced because is was not starting then but that was 10 years ago.
Thanks for help

Sorry wrong post

 

[Dannah Schuler]

Is it 6V or 12V? What was the original problem that caused all of the parts replacement?

Flat head 4.
Parts where replaced because is was not starting then but that was 10 years ago.
Thanks for help

 

[Jim.ME]

Flat head 4.
Parts where replaced because is was not starting then but that was 10 years ago.
Thanks for help

Welcome to the forums. Folks here need answers from you, we can't see it ourselves, you need to answer questions asked.

1. Is it an original 6-volt system or a 12-volt conversion?

2. Front or side mount distributor?

3. Where is the resistor, that is getting red hot, located on the tractor?

4. Please explain: "Problem is the motor spins but the ballast resistor turns red hot." Does "motor spins" mean it is turning with the starter but not running, commonly called cranking. Or the engine starts and runs, commonly called running.

You can also post a picture of the resistor and other things you may not be able to identify. Pictures can help people understand what you are looking at even if you may not have the correct terminology.

 

[Jim L WA]

If I understand correctly, the coil and distributor were replace 10 years ago? Components can go bad during that time. Do what Old said, to start with and let us know.