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| | | | Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 547 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 547 | 1958 Apache with "snail" Horn.
It worked before I had to shelve everything in 2013 when the engine crapped out. Now when I hook up the horn I just hear the relay click when I press the horn button. I tried cleaning up the contact point. If I try jumping power to the contact point and ground the horn assembly, I get nothing. Can you rebuild the old horns, or should I shop for a modern hi and low note horns setup? Recommendation on new setups? Thanks for the help!
58' 3200 235 3-speed/OD
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2013 Posts: 1,361 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Sep 2013 Posts: 1,361 | A trick I've had luck with about half the time. Find the tone adjustment screw on the horn. It's likely a screw the side of the horn with no apparent purpose. Then while your ace helper presses the horn button, adjust the tone screw. Just turn it one way then the other.
As mentioned, I've had pretty good luck with this bringing a supposedly junk horn back to life.
Good Luck,
RonR
RonR
1951 3600 with Clark flatbed, T5, 4.10 rear
1970 340 Duster
1990 5.0 V8 Miata (1990 Mustang Gt Drivetrain)
1964 CJ5
| | | | | Joined: May 2001 Posts: 1,904 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2001 Posts: 1,904 | My horns didn't work when I got the '48. I slipped a razor blade between the 2 flat pieces of vibrating Bakelite (?) to free them up.
That worked for about 27 years but I've developed (or re-developed) a problem and the horns are now iffy. It seems more like a contact problem at the steering wheel, though.
1948 3/4-Ton 5-Window Flatbed Chevrolet 34 Years. Now with a '61 261, 848 head, Rochester Monojet carb, SM420 4-speed, 4.10 rear, dual reservoir MC, Bendix up front, 235/85R16 tires, 12-volt w/alternator, electric wipers and a modern radio in the glove box.
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 1,094 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 1,094 | I have a horn set up out of a chevy trailblazer, it's two horns on a bracket very loud.
Tommy
59 apache 1/2t
261 short stepside
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2019 Posts: 36 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Dec 2019 Posts: 36 | Find the adjustment screw. Sometimes it's inside the horn. You will have to remove the cover by prying out the metal crimps on each side. There will be an adjustment nut and screw. You will have to adjust one way or the other about 1/8 turn at a time until you find the sweet spot and the horn will work again. I have fixed many of them that way. | | | | | Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 547 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 547 | ***** Update ***** After looking up different video on repair old horns, I removed the cover on mine and found it was very rusty. Everything in there has come kind of corrosion on it. I don't have the tools to do the best job on cleaning it all up. I found a few restoration services online, but they all want around $250-$300 to do a repair/restoration. So for now I have shelved the unit and I went with some of these: Hella Trumpet style horns: Universal Kit I wired them up and they work loud and clear.
58' 3200 235 3-speed/OD
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