Problem with YTC's Governor for 8N

Hello. This is my first post to the forum. The customer service people at Yesterday's Tractor Co. suggested I present my issue to the forum with hopes of finding a solution.

I'm working on my late father's 1948 8N. Long story short, the governor was leaking oil where it bolts to the engine. When the bolts were tightened, the top one pushed into the cam gear and all hell, (or should I say teeth) brook loose. From what I understand, this is not an uncommon problem. Anyway, tore the engine down and replaced both the crank and cam gear. Noticed that the governor shaft was slightly bent whereas the gear wobbled slightly when spinning. Assume one of the cam teeth got wedged in between gears and bent the shaft. As a result, I decided a new governor was in order. Among other things, I purchased a new governor from YTC. The unit is distributed by Atlantic Quality Parts - their part No: 1109-6400 / YTC part No: 8N18204B.

After installing the governor, the engine ran wild as if the governor wasn't working. In order to get the engine to calm down, the governor adjustment screw had to be turned way in whereas the throttle lever only moved a couple of inches. I double checked the linkage; all is in order. I called YTC and they suggested I search this forum for a solution. Only thing I came up with was the governor wasn't functioning. At that point I decided to revisit the old governor. Although the gear shaft was indeed bent, I was able to straighten to the point where the wobble wasn't as pronounced. I reinstalled the old governor and the tractor ran as it should -- perfectly. I called YTC to relay my findings and was told they never had a governor return for an 8N, (of the specific part supplied by Atlantic). I explained that either the unit I had was defective or the wrong one for my 8N. I was assured I had the right part. The customer service rep agreed to process a return authorization and sent me another governor. Installed the new (second) governor this afternoon, and have exactly the same problem; it does't work. This time I called the distributor and explained the situation. The customer service rep wasn't able to tell me much more than I already knew. She suggested I call back to YTC for a resolution.

So, that's my story. What I'm looking for from the group is 1) How or can the YTC governor be made / adjusted to work with my 8N? or 2) Can someone definitively tell me this governor will not work with my tractor? For those familiar with the workings of the 8N governor, there's not a lot that can be done in the way of adjustments. My thinking is this should be a "plug and play" type install. Can anyone shed some light on my situation?

Respectfully,
Jay

Put the long bolt on top, huh? See tip # 1.

The governor most certainly is not plug & play. You need to adjust it. The best instructions are in the I&T FO4 manual. That's tip # 39. Maybe someone else can post a link to an online version.
75 Tips

The spring needs to be adjusted so that there is no preload or slack. With the gov in your hand spinning the shaft rapidly should cause the arm to retract.

Yep, like Bruce said, there are FREE downloadable versions of the I&T F-04 manual and an original scan of the Ford Governor Repair Manual over on the primary Ford N-Series Tractor site. The admins here won't allow anyone to post any links to the site nor even mention them in a reply or post so you'll have to email me for directions...

[i:654c4848f0][b:654c4848f0]<font size="4">Tim *PloughNman* Daley(MI)</font>[/b:654c4848f0][/i:654c4848f0]<table width="100" border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" bordercolor="#000000"><tr><td height="25" colspan="2" bgcolor="#CC0000"></td></tr><tr><td> </td><td></td></tr></table>

I really appreciate the comments. I did manage to find the manual referenced. So from what I gather, I need to check the the gap inside the governor between the washer and governor fork -- adjust as necessary. Then I need to measure and most likely bend the arm that attaches to the carb until it's in spec. As I don't have the the jig, does anyone know what the Go-No Go measurement is? Guess I can approximate using the old governor as a guide, but it'd be nice to actually have the correct distance.

And just to get on my soapbox for a minute. Is it too much to ask that adjustment instructions come with the part? Or that customer service is able to provide proper guidance for a part they sell? Or better yet, that the part is calibrated when assembled? Obviously the answer is yes, but perhaps If I make enough noise, that can be changed...

Again, thanks for the info --

" Is it too much to ask that adjustment instructions come with the part?" Yes

" Or that customer service is able to provide proper guidance for a part they sell?" Yes

" Or better yet, that the part is calibrated when assembled?" No

Parts stores sell parts. Mechanics or wannabe mechanics install them.

That being said, if the part itself is out of spec, the parts store should make it good. And it sounds like they did.

When you buy a set of points, do they come with instructions? When you call the parts counter for advice, do you really expect them to tell you how to install them?

You either learn to do this stuff or pay someone to do it.
75 Tips

Mr. Handler, I would make the observation that with the advent of the internet and growth of online sales that there are many parts that anyone can purchase for all manor of machines and pieces of equipment. I have found that there are rarely any instructions included. For the many years that these same parts were available only from dealers or factory authorized service centers, the assumption was that the person that was buying the part was trained in the type of repair that was being done as opposed to being a do-it-yourselfer.

I have never brought a new governor I just can't imagine a new one is that far out of wack. I would think with no more adjust that is available you would never know it it was out a tiny bit... If I had to take it apart and set the shims up I would consider it JUNK!...

Sounds like to me its not working at all It would be interesting to know if the drive gear is slipping on the shaft... I had one do'dat no gov control at all, it was hard to use the tractor with the engine running away...

I am not buying into you have to fudge with it to make it work... It should plug and play and work with in reason...

I bought a new governor from a different vendor, but it was the same Atlantic Quality Parts part No: 1109-6400. The machining was poor, the screw that held the guts in the casing even when tight allowed the balls and bearings to bind when the fork was engaged. I ended up purchasing a rebuilt unit from a different vendor. That worked perfect with almost no adjustment.

If you search the treads you will find several post on the same problem. It is always NEW governors. I can assume they were all from Atlantic Quality Parts! I messed with my new governor for a week, until I took it off and examined it and found that the machining was bad, and sent it back to the vendor I purchased it from.

That is from my experience!