Brute Force, Ignorance and Left-Handed Drill Bits.
Rebuilding the carburator on a 78 year old Ford 8N. Pictured is the seat for the fuel inlet needle valve.
Cammed out the slot trying to get it started with a regular screwdriver.
Widened/deepened the slot with a die grinder disk, then broke half of it off applying more force. I was sure I was screwed when that happened.
Next thought was to drill it out and hope I could clean up the threads enough to get the new one in. Not having the appropriate tap caused me great concern, so I thought I'd try an easy-out, tho my batting average with those is abysmal at best.
Drilled, tried the easy out but the brass was too soft for it to bite. So, back to the drill it out and hope for the best, went to the next size up of left-hand bit and the bit grabbed and started to turn it out. Gingerly bumping the bit a little at a time worked it out.
Whew. I was NOT looking forward to trying to find another carb. Not to mention the expense.
Be careful when following the masses. Sometimes the M is silent.
July 31, 2026, 08:48 AM
HRK
Those issues ae both frustrating and yet satisfying albeit not at the same moment!
Pictures of the 8N coming?
Ever watch Vice Grip Garage on TV?
Derrick Bieri bought an older 8N and restored it for an episode, interesting show.
This is an online video he did on another one, he buys old vehicles and gets them back running.
July 31, 2026, 09:15 AM
BigSwede
Good job, my relationship is rocky with easy outs
Those 8N's are awesome, I saw a stat that like 95% are still in use. Amazing
July 31, 2026, 09:17 AM
SpinZone
I've had great luck with left handed drill bits. When I get to the easy out stage, I use some penetrating oil and a left handed drill bit. It does the trick a surprising amount of the time.
“We truly live in a wondrous age of stupid.” - 83v45magna
"I think it's important that people understand free speech doesn't mean free from consequences societally or politically or culturally." -Pranjit Kalita, founder and CIO of Birkoa Capital Management
July 31, 2026, 09:30 AM
PHPaul
Belongs to a customer/acquaintance. I've had it over a year as money dribbles in to fix it.
Wiring harness, brakes and axle seals are done, rim replacement in process - waiting to see if old tire can be salvaged.
Got a nasty miss when running, pretty sure it's a sticking valve, could use a valve job but there's no money in the till at the moment. The front tires/rims/hubs are a complete fustercluck, all welded together and only one of them holds air. That's another $500 that should be spent but I ain't holding my breath.
If the tire can be swapped, I'll get it back on it's feet and get it running as well as I can without spending any money and no more of my free time than absolutely necessary.
Be careful when following the masses. Sometimes the M is silent.
July 31, 2026, 05:21 PM
vthoky
A good friend of mine had an 8N he was going to restore. I was super excited to help with the project!
He gave it to his church before we got into it… someone there was going to tackle it.
I’m glad it’s got a good new home, but I was really looking forward digging into that engine.
Politicians seem to have forgotten that they work for us, not the other way around. — — — — — — — — — — — — God bless America.
August 02, 2026, 12:56 PM
OKCGene
White wall tires?
Blast from the past.
Got any curb feelers for it?
Love those old tractors. .
August 07, 2026, 03:02 AM
92fstech
You are one lucky SOB, lol. I can count on one hand the number of times an easy out of left-handed bit has actually worked for me. Oh, and brass is a retarted material to make screws out of, and they always get stuck in old gummed up carbs. The one saving grace is that at least it's soft and easy to drill. Glad it came out for you!