How repairs / restores horns

• Dec 30, 2018

• #1

vintage chromoly

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hello all.
My “horn” on my 68 coronet has never really worked well.
Today, I removed both of the horns and bench tested them.
One works, marginally and one not at all.

Is there a go to guy that rebuilds / restores these horns?

I’m assuming that these are original, but who knows? I’ve never researched horns.

Here are a few pics
The top two pics is one horn and the bottom two pics is the other horn:

 

• Dec 30, 2018

• #2

moparnation74

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The presto lite is correct for your year. The date stamp is on the bottom side in your last picture. There is one "high" and one "low" and both are stamped this. The delco is a replacement. I base that on the date of the 49th week of 68.....

In the service manual they describe the adjustment but I have never had to do that....

https://www.forbbodiesonly.com/mopa...gtx-restoration.127388/page-16#post-910663231

 

• Dec 30, 2018

• #3

dart4forte

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We restore horns

 

• Dec 30, 2018

• #4

vintage chromoly

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Thanks!
The one prestolite is the “lo” dated
5 8

Probably the original from the car as my car is a March SPD.

 

• Dec 30, 2018

• #5

moparnation74

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vintage chromoly said:

Thanks!
The one prestolite is the “lo” dated
5 8

Probably the original from the car as my car is a March SPD.

Click to expand...

I agree....and the high went bad and was replaced......Remember that's in weeks and not months. So 5th week of 68...given a 3 month window it is no doubt IMHO that is the original horn....

So keep in mind when you search for a replacement.....The pairs on my charger and the GTX have the same week......I have not researched them in great detail because I had the original horns...If they were missing I would have done more. So I cannot 100% say both horns have to be and exact match but two survivor cars I restored they did...

I bet Don @Moparparts will be able to hook you up....

 

• Dec 30, 2018

• #6

vintage chromoly

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moparnation74 said:

I agree....and the high went bad and was replaced......Remember that's in weeks and not months. So 5th week of 68...given a 3 month window it is no doubt IMHO that is the original horn....

So keep in mind when you search for a replacement.....The pairs on my charger and the GTX have the same week......I have not researched them in great detail because I had the original horns...If they were missing I would have done more. So I cannot 100% say both horns have to be and exact match but two survivor cars I restored they did...

I bet Don @Moparparts will be able to hook you up....

Click to expand...

thanks Justin!
I’ll reach out and see.

 

• Jan 1, 2019

• #7

oldbee

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Did you try tweaking the adjustment screw on horn? Never takes more than 1\4 turn either way.Parts loosener on the thread ahead of time!!!! If froze up internally,no amount of turning will help. Jeff

 

• Jan 1, 2019

• #8

oldbee

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If they're like an air horn on semi's, its a brass diaphragm (steel center?) Touching a magnet, air horns didnt need the magnet.

 

• Jan 1, 2019

• #9

vintage chromoly

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I haven’t tried that Oldbee.
I just hit them with 12vdc to see what was up.
I did notice the adjustment screw though.
Thanks for that tip.

 

• Jan 1, 2019

• #10

68gtxman

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vintage chromoly said:

I haven’t tried that Oldbee.
I just hit them with 12vdc to see what was up.
I did notice the adjustment screw though.
Thanks for that tip.

Click to expand...

Every horn that I had that didn’t work did so after keeping the power on it and turning the adjustment screw. Not sure about the tone, but I think the tone is more related to the length and shape of the horn and not the adjustment screw. Wear ears plugs when playing with them.

 

• Jan 3, 2019

• #11

dadsbee

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THANKS OLDBEE !!! I was looking for a "new" lower (HI) Sparton horn as mine hasn't worked in 40+ years. As soon as i cracked the adjuster it worked again!!! WHAT>> WHAT DID YOU SAY.... EH... Someone suggested ear plugs...

 

• Jan 3, 2019

• #12

oldbee

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NICE, the screw is just an adjustment(slight) to allow the diaphragm to vibrate.