Ford Funk Conversions

By: John Smith of Old Ford Tractors

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Back in 1948 the Ford tractor owners were looking for more power to be able to pull a 3 bottom plow instead of the standard 2 bottom. A fellow named Ollie Glover of the Glover Equipment Company in Milford, Illinois started converting the Ford N's to use the 95 horsepower industrial 6 cylinder Ford engine. A chance meeting with company representatives led to his teaming up with the Funk Aircraft Company of Coffeyville, Kansas, and Funk began manufacturing and selling the conversion kits for the N tractors.

About that same time, Delbert Heusinkveld was installing the 100 horsepower Ford V8 engines into 8N's. He met with the Funks and convinced them to make the kits for the V8 as well as the 6 cylinder. Most of the Funk conversion kits were sold and installed on new tractors right at the dealer.

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The Funk production records were lost in a fire in the early fifties but estimates place the number of flathead 6 cylinder kits produced at around 5000, V8 kits at only 100 to 200. A limited number of overhead valve 6 cylinder kits were also sold before production of the conversion kits stopped in 1953.

No one knows how many original Funk Fords are still around as many were converted back to their regular engines in the decades to follow. It seems the highly collectible Funks of today were held in low regard for many years and used tractor dealers found them difficult to sell.  The Funks are easy to spot by their raised and extended hoods which accomodate the larger radiators. Kits to convert 8N's to V8 power are available today. Check with www.staufferv8.com.

This unrestored 6 cylinder Funk conversion was one of the early kits that used the channel iron frame supports. Later models had Funk manufactured cast iron oil pans.

Below are a few photos of original 6 cylinder and V8 Funk Fords.

This unrestored 6 cylinder Funk conversion was one of the early kits that used the channel iron frame supports. Later models had Funk manufactured cast iron oil pans.

The Funk has a look and feel all it's own. Note the cast aluminum bolt-on hood extension.

The 95 horsepower 6 cylinder has plenty of power for pulling, running irrigation pumps, etc.

The owner of this one has added his own personal touch by having several parts chrome plated. Pretty.

A nice V8 Funk conversion from Montana.

Original Funk V8 conversions have a cast iron Funk oil pan to make for a clean installation. No outside rails or braces like the currently available V8 conversion kits.

Bob Meyer from Gurnee, Illinois with his V8 Funk conversion.

Below are a few photos of early Funk conversion advertisement and a later ad for the OHV 6 cylinder.

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Early Funk conversion advertisement for the OHV 6 cylinder.

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Early Funk conversion ad for the OHV 6 cylinder.

Thanks to John Smith of Old Ford Tractor for allowing us to use this information.