The Ford Barn

smittykid · 07-13-2015, 06:57 AM

I figured I would ask the experts before I get into this project. I'm getting power to the horn. When I push the horn button on the steering wheel, I can hear the motor turning inside the horn. On a rare occasion the horn will attempt to "aooga" but it's pretty faint. I've tried the adjustment screw, but that doesn't seem to help. What should I be looking for when I remove the back cover of the horn? Mike's "A" Fordable parts sells a rebuild kit. Thanks

Jon-Ohio · 07-13-2015, 07:59 AM

Try moving the armature back and forth -there shouldn't be any looseness/play . If there is, you can bend the tensioner tang on the outer motor base plate to take up the looseness - but don't over bend it either which can cause problems. Also check the ratchet wheel on the armature end for looseness.

Jon in Ohio

Slotblog · 07-13-2015, 11:14 AM

Confirm the diaphragm is not installed backwards... as was the case on a horn I bought here a while back. Flipped it over and it works just fine.

700rpm · 07-13-2015, 04:10 PM

Remove the motor cover and observe the motor when you push the button. If the motor spins freely but no Ahooga you have an adjustment problem or your diaphragm need attention. If it doesn't spin freely or spins slowly it might be brushes or a dirty commutator. If it doesn't spin at all there is a short or a bad ground or a broken connection somewhere.

JohnLaVoy · 07-13-2015, 04:11 PM

I have also seen the diaphragm in backwards. I have a video on the rebuild of a horn on You Tube. youtube.com/modelatimes and look for the horn video.

Jeff/Illinois · 07-13-2015, 05:53 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

To keep my original from sprouting legs and taking a hike, I bought the Sparton horn that Snyder's sells a couple of years ago. Man oh man that baby puts out an AHOOga that can be heard in Kansas City

sounds great.

That may be one option after you check out what is going on with your's. Maybe you have a cheapo repop from the 70's they were pretty bad--------------------

Mike V. Florida · 07-13-2015, 11:49 PM

On the bottom on the horn motor there is a wavy disc (ratchet). The wavy disc rubs against a nub on the diaphragm. As the ratchet spins it causes the diaphragm to vibrate and make the sound. As the motor speeds up you get the AHHHH, at speed OOOOO and as it slows the GAHHH.

Your motor is spinning that's 80% right there. Now, as mentioned, you need to see if the ratchet is rubbing on the diaphragm.

smittykid · 07-14-2015, 06:19 AM

Thanks to all! It's supposed to rain today so I think I'll tear into it today. I'm sure there will be more questions coming on my part. I will report back. Thanks again, Smitty

JohnLaVoy · 07-14-2015, 08:49 AM

A&L make the repro horns everyone sells. They will sell the motor unit separate if you want to keep your original horn. But the repro complete unit is really nice and you really can't tell it is not original.

Jeff/Illinois · 07-14-2015, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnLaVoy

A&L make the repro horns everyone sells. They will sell the motor unit separate if you want to keep your original horn. But the repro complete unit is really nice and you really can't tell it is not original.

I'll second that John. Ours looks great on the car looks like a fully restored original. And works perfectly.

smittykid · 07-14-2015, 11:50 AM

GOT HER FIXED!! I took the horn off the car and cleaned and adjusted a few things. The diaphram was not on backwards. Got it all back together & realized I forgot to reinstall one of the gaskets. The hardest part of the whole deal was lining up the rear cover. It sounds great! Thanks to all for all of your help.

07-13-2015, 06:57 AM	#1
smittykid Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: NW Pa./Sc. Posts: 252	Sparton horn questions I figured I would ask the experts before I get into this project. I'm getting power to the horn. When I push the horn button on the steering wheel, I can hear the motor turning inside the horn. On a rare occasion the horn will attempt to "aooga" but it's pretty faint. I've tried the adjustment screw, but that doesn't seem to help. What should I be looking for when I remove the back cover of the horn? Mike's "A" Fordable parts sells a rebuild kit. Thanks

07-13-2015, 07:59 AM	#2
Jon-Ohio Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 191	Re: Sparton horn questions Try moving the armature back and forth -there shouldn't be any looseness/play . If there is, you can bend the tensioner tang on the outer motor base plate to take up the looseness - but don't over bend it either which can cause problems. Also check the ratchet wheel on the armature end for looseness. Jon in Ohio

07-13-2015, 11:14 AM	#3
Slotblog Senior Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Norcross, GA Posts: 243	Re: Sparton horn questions Confirm the diaphragm is not installed backwards... as was the case on a horn I bought here a while back. Flipped it over and it works just fine.

07-13-2015, 04:10 PM	#4
700rpm Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 6,039	Re: Sparton horn questions Remove the motor cover and observe the motor when you push the button. If the motor spins freely but no Ahooga you have an adjustment problem or your diaphragm need attention. If it doesn't spin freely or spins slowly it might be brushes or a dirty commutator. If it doesn't spin at all there is a short or a bad ground or a broken connection somewhere. __________________ Ray Horton, Portland, OR As you go through life, keep your eye on the donut, not the hole.

07-13-2015, 04:11 PM	#5
JohnLaVoy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Rocklin, CA Posts: 779	Re: Sparton horn questions I have also seen the diaphragm in backwards. I have a video on the rebuild of a horn on You Tube. youtube.com/modelatimes and look for the horn video.

07-13-2015, 05:53 PM	#6
Jeff/Illinois Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,973	Re: Sparton horn questions Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) To keep my original from sprouting legs and taking a hike, I bought the Sparton horn that Snyder's sells a couple of years ago. Man oh man that baby puts out an AHOOga that can be heard in Kansas City sounds great. That may be one option after you check out what is going on with your's. Maybe you have a cheapo repop from the 70's they were pretty bad--------------------

07-13-2015, 11:49 PM	#7
Mike V. Florida Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Florida between Sarasota and TampaSouth Florida Posts: 14,054	Re: Sparton horn questions On the bottom on the horn motor there is a wavy disc (ratchet). The wavy disc rubs against a nub on the diaphragm. As the ratchet spins it causes the diaphragm to vibrate and make the sound. As the motor speeds up you get the AHHHH, at speed OOOOO and as it slows the GAHHH. Your motor is spinning that's 80% right there. Now, as mentioned, you need to see if the ratchet is rubbing on the diaphragm. __________________ What's right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have great capacity - intellect and resources - to do some thing about them. - Henry Ford II

07-14-2015, 06:19 AM	#8
smittykid Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: NW Pa./Sc. Posts: 252	Re: Sparton horn questions Thanks to all! It's supposed to rain today so I think I'll tear into it today. I'm sure there will be more questions coming on my part. I will report back. Thanks again, Smitty

07-14-2015, 08:49 AM	#9
JohnLaVoy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Rocklin, CA Posts: 779	Re: Sparton horn questions A&L make the repro horns everyone sells. They will sell the motor unit separate if you want to keep your original horn. But the repro complete unit is really nice and you really can't tell it is not original.

07-14-2015, 11:50 AM	#11
smittykid Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: NW Pa./Sc. Posts: 252	Re: Sparton horn questions GOT HER FIXED!! I took the horn off the car and cleaned and adjusted a few things. The diaphram was not on backwards. Got it all back together & realized I forgot to reinstall one of the gaskets. The hardest part of the whole deal was lining up the rear cover. It sounds great! Thanks to all for all of your help.