The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay Dual Horns

Hello,

In my rebuild, I have gotten to the horns. I don't know if they work or not, and don't have a 6v to check. The horns are here.

Horns

I took the caps off, and the insides are pretty rusted. I am looking for a way to ID these, as I don't think they are original, and it'd be nice to have some sort of exploded diagram. I'd like to take them apart, clean, and reassemble.

Any takers?

Thanks, Steve

Original to what?

Cletis, it may have misspoke. After I wrote that, I found another link on a search that indicated that these were an option. It could have been purchased as an option, or added later. I'll never know.

I have a 1953 3100.

All I know is that I like them, and want to refurb them. So, I'm looking for any diagrams that I can find.

I have a 51 panel that had old, original two note horns in it. I assumed they were
as bad as the rest of the truck , but I stuck them on the shelf anyway.

So, now the truck is almost done I assume I'll need to buy aftermarket horns.
But, I take the old horns off the shelf, cosmetically clean them up and shake out
the bug nests, and hook them up on the garage floor with a 12 V battery.

After a few muffled "goosefart" noises they cleared themselves out and MAN! what
a beautiful two note blast they made!! Needless to say I'm going to use them although with a 455 Buick & electric pusher fan installed I need to get creative as to wear I put them!
mike

Shaanxi,

The standard horn was mounted on the intake manifold in 1953, and the matching accessory hi-note horn was mounted on the passenger side of the firewall (after drilling holes). A reinforcement plate for inside the cab was provided.

Nonetheless, people seemed to be very creative in choosing where they mounted the horns (in 1953 and earlier Advance-Design years). Your horns seem to be mounted on either side of the engine indentation in the firewall. That looks good.

Hook them up to 12V. It won't damage the horns and you'll know for sure if they work. If they work, I wouldnt bother opening them up, just paint them and put them on the truck.



I installed mine on the sides of the framerail right behind the front sheetmetal on my '46 (factory dual horns) as my 455 Buick and everything else in the engine bay didn't leave much room for the big old horns. Same thing, connected to 12V they're very loud and if I honk at someone in traffic they're looking around me for the big rig or fire truck. I love it!

Ok. I hooked them up to a 12 volt battery, and one works great and the other does nothing. I've put it on the shelf for now, as I can use the working one right now. I'll try and get the other one working down the line. I'd love to hear them together, and don't know how long I'll be able to resist refurbing the other. However, it doesn't look like it'll be easy.

Is it cleaned up and making good ground/power contact? I know I had that issue with mine.

On my truck the horns were mounted to the radiator support. One was facing up. And one was facing down. The one that was facing up was full of water and organic stuff. It was very dead. The other one works great. Lots of rust and nasty stuff in the dead one. Still have not fixed it. Good luck.

thanks guys. I think I got a good test. I did the same test on each...one worked and the other now.

Oh well, on to the next task....

On my 59 GMC. The horn does not work either. All the original wiring is there and everything else works. I am assuming this is correct: The horn button furnishes a ground to the horn relay on the firewall, which in turn furnishes hot to the horn?
I have made sure the horn is grounded and I removed the wire, and touched a jumper hot wire to the post, and nothing happens.

Most horns work similar to how you say. The power is always present to the horn relay. Completing the ground circuit by pressing the horn button activates the relay and sends power to the horn. The best way to test it is to remove it from the truck, touch then metal housing to the negative post on the battery, and the wire to the positive post.

Steve,
I believe you have the Dual Seashell Horns - a Chevy product
http://s1117.photobucket.com/user/h...1946_zps0fa6e7df.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0
This is all I have regarding these horns.
There is a pair on eBay for $85.00
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ORIGINAL-VI...ries&hash=item35d1fc5d7a&vxp=mtr
Harold

Harold, Those are exactly it! That is great. I have one working, and will rebuild the other.