1933 Horn Sound?
 

Dear Ford Friends,
I am restoring a 1933 Roadster and was wondering what the horn should sound like? For those that have a 33 Ford, does the horn have the Ahoogah sound (like the 28-31 Model As) or the beep sound? Thanks very much for your help.
Mike

Re: 1933 Horn Sound?
 

At the three minute and 56 second mark in this video link below, they sound the horns. This is the correct sound for these horns. The two horns are adjusted to different tones from one another to get this correct sound when both are working in unison. I'm pretty sure the horns on both the '33 and '34 make the same sound....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdxEpb2cUPM

Re: 1933 Horn Sound?
 

The motor driven horns have the Klaxon or Ah-oo-gah sound. The small motor turns a ribbed disc in contact with the diaphragm to make the sound. The 1932 model year was the last of the Klaxon types for passenger cars. There were stragglers in the trucks for a year or two.

In 1933 they began using an electric vibrator coil in contact with the diaphragm to make a solid tone report. Some are high pitch note and some are low pitch note to get a dual horn harmony sound. Many of the early V8 Fords were standard models and only had one horn. The Deluxe models had the dual horns.

PS: Dual horns have different vibrator diaphragms for high and low notes. You can't adjust the pitch of the output tone but the harshness can be adjusted out for a more mellow quality.

Re: 1933 Horn Sound?
 

Thanks very much for your replies. This is very helpful!

Re: 1933 Horn Sound?
 

Actually, the deluxe, 2nd right side horn when added on the 1933 and up cars/trucks, has a small cup shaped weight added to the diaphragm assembly to change the sound.

Re: 1933 Horn Sound?
 

With respect, the vibrator horn replaced the motor-driven horn on '32s about mid-model year, including commercial vehicles and big trucks.

Re: 1933 Horn Sound?
 

So that's why the diaphragms were interchangeable from the 1932 model year. I learn something new all the time. I didn't figure it would interchange with a Klaxon type. Too much difference. I just know that I've seen 1932 cars with them.

There is a lot of info in the parts books but obviously not near enough info. They tend to reflect the changes and not the originally issued parts.

Re: 1933 Horn Sound?
 

Thanks again -- any recommendations where I can find interior horn parts? I have checked Macs, Speedway, etc. and do not see any horn parts.

Re: 1933 Horn Sound?
 

The centers (operating portions) of the two horns are basically the same through '37 and it may prove cost effective to find working versions of the later ones to replace what you have, retaining the bell, cover, and mounting bracket of your existing horn(s).

Re: 1933 Horn Sound?
 

I expected the horns on the car in the video to make a good parp or loud beep sound. They sounded most peculiar to me. Is that really what they are supposed to sound like?

Mart.

Re: 1933 Horn Sound?
 

Hi all; For you fellows using 12 Volt and Vibrator horns... A RG 9 member just converted his '33 dual horns with High/low vibrators from HARBOR FREIGHT. They fit on the original plates and worked excellent.. even tunable! Newc

Re: 1933 Horn Sound?
 

I have a post here on the barn showing a VW horn I fitted to an original spartan 34 horn. I think the beatle sound is close. Ken

Re: 1933 Horn Sound?
 

I agree. It sounded sort of harsh or sickly to me. Some adjustment or service might be needed on that particular car.

Re: 1933 Horn Sound?
 

I googled low and high vibrators :eek: but I couldn't find anything I could use in my horns...

Re: 1933 Horn Sound?
 

He may be referring to the guts removed from a regular set of horns. The horns I see on the Harbor Freight site look to be the 12-volt types.

I've used guts from old Delco and Motorcraft horns to fix a few old ones before.

Re: 1933 Horn Sound?
 

Got a link to that?
I'm very interested in updating a couple of Sparton horns for my 33. Actually, I only have one right now and its in sorry shape. I'm in the process of Delux-ifying my 33 Tudor Standard.

Re: 1933 Horn Sound?
 

Will that work on a 6V?

Re: 1933 Horn Sound?
 

1933 original horn sound
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdHhR98jVAO

Re: 1933 Horn Sound?
 

Thanks Frank - that's more like what I thought I remembered...

Re: 1933 Horn Sound?
 

One Horn? Sounds to me as though just one horn is sounding in that video....