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Old 03-09-2013, 08:48 PM   #1
mngreen
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Default Adjusting ahooga horn

I can only get my Stewart horn to sound correctly with the motor cover off or with the cover on with the hold down screw put on very lightly.

Any suggestions?
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Old 03-09-2013, 09:20 PM   #2
MikeK
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Default Re: Adjusting ahooga horn

Check if the U shaped motor frame is secure/tight to the center flange.
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Old 03-09-2013, 09:34 PM   #3
Tom Wesenberg
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Default Re: Adjusting ahooga horn

When I adjust the horn I always make the final adjustment after the cover is screwed on. The cover tension will pull on the frame a bit, so I often have to turn the adjustment screw one click. Also the original cover screw is only threaded enough to hold the cover in place. Repro screws have enough threads to screw them on too far is you tighten too much.
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Old 03-09-2013, 10:41 PM   #4
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Default Re: Adjusting ahooga horn

Thoroughly clean the commutator/armature contacts with very fine sandpaper. Also the two wire connections at the base if they are the clip in type or similar.
As said above, adjust with the cover on.
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Old 03-11-2013, 10:35 AM   #5
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Default Re: Adjusting ahooga horn

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg View Post
...the original cover screw is only threaded enough to hold the cover in place. Repro screws have enough threads to screw them on too far is you tighten too much.
Thanks for bringing this up. In fact, the cover screw on my Stewart Warner is threaded all the way causing me it to over-tighten. I got to thinking and came up with the following bright idea, absent an original cover screw, of course.

I dug up a nut to function as a "stop position" on the screw. I inserted the screw through the cover and put on the nut at different positions until I got the screw to tighten against the horn frame while not letting the cover bind on the housing. After doing the above, my horn sounds a lot better, but not perfect. (One note: it is very easy to short out the horn with the nut assembly described if you are not careful--I did so and saw smoke! Luckily, my main 30A fuse at the starter junction blew to save the day)

How hard is it to find an original designed screw for the job?
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Old 03-11-2013, 11:34 AM   #6
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Default Re: Adjusting ahooga horn

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Quote:
Originally Posted by mngreen View Post
Thanks for bringing this up. In fact, the cover screw on my Stewart Warner is threaded all the way causing me it to over-tighten. I got to thinking and came up with the following bright idea, absent an original cover screw, of course.

I dug up a nut to function as a "stop position" on the screw. I inserted the screw through the cover and put on the nut at different positions until I got the screw to tighten against the horn frame while not letting the cover bind on the housing. After doing the above, my horn sounds a lot better, but not perfect. (One note: it is very easy to short out the horn with the nut assembly described if you are not careful--I did so and saw smoke! Luckily, my main 30A fuse at the starter junction blew to save the day)

How hard is it to find an original designed screw for the job?
Easy. Any good Model A supplier will have them. About $1.50, I think.
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Old 03-11-2013, 12:10 PM   #7
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Default Re: Adjusting ahooga horn

try A&L for the correct cover screw....i am sure al has it...
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Old 03-11-2013, 01:03 PM   #8
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Default Re: Adjusting ahooga horn

The screw(s) I've obtained from a couple of diff sources threaded way too much.
Paul in CT
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Old 03-11-2013, 01:36 PM   #9
Tom Wesenberg
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Default Re: Adjusting ahooga horn

If you look closely at the brush holder on the left, you can see a circle where a repro screw was run into it until it bent the side of the brush holder and locked the brush in place.
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File Type: jpg Sparton Horn Repair.jpg (59.5 KB, 233 views)
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Old 03-11-2013, 01:57 PM   #10
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Default Re: Adjusting ahooga horn

Here's a picture of an original cover screw. Also note how the wire terminals plug in from the ends of the clips, and not under the sides. Also note the felt washer that fits around the adjustment screw before the cover goes on.
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File Type: jpg Horn Cover Screw.jpg (54.6 KB, 241 views)
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Old 03-11-2013, 03:21 PM   #11
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Default Re: Adjusting ahooga horn

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg View Post
Here's a picture of an original cover screw. Also note how the wire terminals plug in from the ends of the clips, and not under the sides. Also note the felt washer that fits around the adjustment screw before the cover goes on.
Thanks Tom. Now I'm going to have o go out and look at my adjusting screws.
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Old 03-11-2013, 04:09 PM   #12
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Default Re: Adjusting ahooga horn

I just ordered one from Bratton's....are they okay?
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Old 03-11-2013, 05:40 PM   #13
1931 flamingo
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Default Re: Adjusting ahooga horn

Ahhhhh ................................felt washer. ! ! ! !

I wonder how many horns out there DON'T have the felt washer??
Source for the felt washer?? Snyder's doesn't show one.
Paul in CT
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Old 03-11-2013, 05:50 PM   #14
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Default Re: Adjusting ahooga horn










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Old 03-12-2013, 05:38 PM   #15
1931 flamingo
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Default Re: Adjusting ahooga horn

OK< felt washer not shown in pic above, nor in snyder's catalog. It looks like it's shown in mac's new catalog.

How important/effective is it?? Do I really need one?? SOURCE??
Paul in CT
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Old 03-12-2013, 07:27 PM   #16
30ccpickup
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Default Re: Adjusting ahooga horn

Paul,

It is labeled in the 2nd drawing as a dust felt. The dust felt helps to keep the inside of the horn clean. It is placed over the screw and between the cover and the adjusting bar creating a seal which prevents the dirt from entering the horn. I live on a dirt road and it helps.

Paul
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Old 10-31-2020, 01:24 AM   #17
GT1929
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Default Re: Adjusting ahooga horn

Lost the Cover Screw for Horn does anyone know what size & threads per inch?
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Old 10-31-2020, 07:01 AM   #18
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Default Adjusting ahooga horn

Quote:
Originally Posted by GT1929 View Post
Lost the Cover Screw for Horn does anyone know what size & threads per inch?
I recently purchased a new horn from Bratton’s, and the screw looks like what Snyder’s sells.

https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/P...earchByKeyword

Bratton’s has a different lock washer.

https://www.brattons.com/horn-cover-screw.html


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Last edited by shew01; 10-31-2020 at 08:26 AM.
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Old 10-31-2020, 11:22 AM   #19
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Default Re: Adjusting ahooga horn

Sparton 8/32 x 13/16
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Old 10-31-2020, 01:55 PM   #20
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Default Re: Adjusting ahooga horn

I had to add a aground to my horn. In fact, I have added a separate ground for each of the lights. Finally, I added a ground from the engine to the frame.
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