The Ford Barn

KenBolton · 02-27-2022, 08:56 AM

I have two professionally rebuilt horns. Neither makes the complete Ahaa-ooh-gaa sound. I’ve assured lubrication, grounds, adjusted from one extreme to the other as well as consulted with the rebuilder to no avail. They either produce the first two syllables or a squawk. I know one diaphragm is repro but have no knowledge of the other. Please advise me as to next steps.

Of course the title should read “Horn”!!

nkaminar · 02-27-2022, 10:38 AM

The three syllables are are produced when the horn is accelerating, at a constant speed, and decelerating. The armature moves in and out during these three different modes because of the magnetic forces involved. The movement in and out causes the three different sounds. It may be that your horn is in too good of a condition and that the armature is not moving in and out. It could also be the combination of voltage and wiring.

J Franklin · 02-27-2022, 12:27 PM

Does it do this on the bench with direct battery connections? Have you loosened the adjustment screw? Could it be poor ground through the horn button?

Fullraceflathead · 02-27-2022, 12:43 PM

1 thing that can change the sound of the horn is if the diaphragm is painted especially heavy paint

Certimafied · 02-27-2022, 02:36 PM

I've had to do a little playing with mine again recently. I found that the gaskets make a difference too, The two on either side of the diaphragm.

fried okra · 02-27-2022, 08:49 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Does running a 6V or 12V system make a difference in the sound?

J Franklin · 02-27-2022, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fried okra

Does running a 6V or 12V system make a difference in the sound?

Depends on the horn voltage requirement.

Harpkatt · 02-27-2022, 11:17 PM

Running a 6v horn on 12v will make it sound awful.

J Franklin · 02-27-2022, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harpkatt

Running a 6v horn on 12v will make it sound awful.

Or visa versa.

Ray64 · 02-28-2022, 07:33 AM

Seems as though the motor is not up to speed. Maybe needs a rewind or brushes looked at.

RB_Nielsen · 03-01-2022, 10:26 PM

Take a piece of sand paper and clean up the armature to a nice copper shine making certain the individual sections don't have gunk that overlaps between section

02-27-2022, 08:56 AM	#1
KenBolton Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Fall Creek, WI Posts: 213	Born Third Syllable I have two professionally rebuilt horns. Neither makes the complete Ahaa-ooh-gaa sound. I’ve assured lubrication, grounds, adjusted from one extreme to the other as well as consulted with the rebuilder to no avail. They either produce the first two syllables or a squawk. I know one diaphragm is repro but have no knowledge of the other. Please advise me as to next steps. Of course the title should read “Horn”!!

02-27-2022, 10:38 AM	#2
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,897	Re: Born Third Syllable The three syllables are are produced when the horn is accelerating, at a constant speed, and decelerating. The armature moves in and out during these three different modes because of the magnetic forces involved. The movement in and out causes the three different sounds. It may be that your horn is in too good of a condition and that the armature is not moving in and out. It could also be the combination of voltage and wiring. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

02-27-2022, 12:27 PM	#3
J Franklin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 5,962	Re: Born Third Syllable Does it do this on the bench with direct battery connections? Have you loosened the adjustment screw? Could it be poor ground through the horn button?

02-27-2022, 12:43 PM	#4
Fullraceflathead Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Chillicothe, Missouri Posts: 1,175	Re: Born Third Syllable 1 thing that can change the sound of the horn is if the diaphragm is painted especially heavy paint __________________ "If I asked people what they wanted they would have said faster horses." -Henry Ford "Primitive technology is not a design flaw" 1928 Ford Model A Roadster Pickup 1930 Gordon Smith Air Compressor 1941 Willy's Pickup 1960 Thunderbird-For Sale 1964 Buick Riviera 2x4 425 1965 Pontiac GTO, 455 Super Duty 2004 Dodge Ram SRT-10, V-10 Viper 1977 Charger Jet Boat,460 Ford,Jacuzzi Jet Front Engine Nostalgia Dragster,Supercharged 296 "Fullrace Flathead" Ford Engine Build up on DVD ask

02-27-2022, 02:36 PM	#5
Certimafied Member Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Belmont N.C. Posts: 85	Re: Born Third Syllable I've had to do a little playing with mine again recently. I found that the gaskets make a difference too, The two on either side of the diaphragm.

02-27-2022, 08:49 PM	#6
fried okra Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Daniel Island,SouthCarolina/Knoxville, Tennessee/Sanibel Island,Florida Posts: 292	Re: Born Third Syllable Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Does running a 6V or 12V system make a difference in the sound?

02-27-2022, 11:17 PM	#8
Harpkatt Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Long Island Posts: 172	Re: Born Third Syllable Running a 6v horn on 12v will make it sound awful.

02-28-2022, 07:33 AM	#10
Ray64 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Grafton,OHIO Posts: 727	Re: Born Third Syllable Seems as though the motor is not up to speed. Maybe needs a rewind or brushes looked at.

03-01-2022, 10:26 PM	#11
RB_Nielsen Member Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Iowa City, IA Posts: 84	Re: Born Third Syllable Take a piece of sand paper and clean up the armature to a nice copper shine making certain the individual sections don't have gunk that overlaps between section