The Ford Barn

shew01 · 05-07-2020, 07:34 PM

I have the back of the horn off because I’m replacing my radiator. While it’s apart, I’m wondering if I should clean up the rotor or commutator.

Les Andrews 1-196 says you can clean the rotor with a scotch pad, if you totally disassemble the horn and put the shaft in a drill. I’d rather not take the horn apart because it kind of works. It makes a noise, but not a nice ahooga sound.

Is it possible to clean the rotor or commutator while it is still in the car?

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30ccpickup · 05-07-2020, 08:21 PM

This may help http://modelabasics.com/horn.htm

shew01 · 05-08-2020, 04:25 AM

Since the makes a sound, I hesitate to take it apart. Would it help to brighten the rotor or commutator while the horn is still in the car? If so, what would be effective to clean the rotor or commutator while it is in the car?

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Jacksonlll · 05-08-2020, 05:43 AM

If you can, back off on the adjustment until it spins with no sound. Oil it and let it get up to speed for a bit. That motor needs to run. After the motor sounds strong, readjust it to a good ahooga sound. I find this helps for a while. If you get a horn to sound good. leave it alone.

1crosscut · 05-08-2020, 05:53 AM

Hold some fine grade sand paper against the commutator while the horn is spinning to clean it up. Usually makes a world of difference.

Jacksonlll · 05-08-2020, 03:28 PM

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I recently took a horn apart and found it all welded together. The motor frame was welded to the body where there should be screws and the cage was spot welded so you could not get the armature out. Did they make some after market horns like this?

Kurt in NJ · 05-08-2020, 03:30 PM

I just wipe with rag, usually just before parade, oil bearings every couple years

David R. · 05-08-2020, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1crosscut

Hold some fine grade sand paper against the commutator while the horn is spinning to clean it up. Usually makes a world of difference.

Note to self: use earplugs next time you do this.
I cleaned mine with electrical contact cleaner, oiled bearings and gently held a small folded square of 400 grit against commutator while it’s turning. Sounds much better now.

wmws · 05-09-2020, 09:09 AM

I recently took a horn apart and found it all welded together. The motor frame was welded to the body where there should be screws and the cage was spot welded so you could not get the armature out. Did they make some after market horns like this?

Yes my horn is that way. Very difficult to work on and tune. But it was cheep.

old31 · 05-10-2020, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wmws

I recently took a horn apart and found it all welded together. The motor frame was welded to the body where there should be screws and the cage was spot welded so you could not get the armature out. Did they make some after market horns like this?

Yes my horn is that way. Very difficult to work on and tune. But it was cheep.

Maybe an old JC Whitney horn?

05-07-2020, 07:34 PM	#1
shew01 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Roanoke, VA USA Posts: 1,908	Horn Cleaning I have the back of the horn off because I’m replacing my radiator. While it’s apart, I’m wondering if I should clean up the rotor or commutator. Les Andrews 1-196 says you can clean the rotor with a scotch pad, if you totally disassemble the horn and put the shaft in a drill. I’d rather not take the horn apart because it kind of works. It makes a noise, but not a nice ahooga sound. Is it possible to clean the rotor or commutator while it is still in the car? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

05-07-2020, 08:21 PM	#2
30ccpickup Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wakarusa, IN Posts: 928	Re: Horn Cleaning This may help http://modelabasics.com/horn.htm __________________ http://MODELABASICS.com/ How Things Work on a Model "A" Ford Fordbarners, Feel free to use the pictures on my site to answer questions and create tutorials/tech articles.

05-08-2020, 04:25 AM	#3
shew01 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Roanoke, VA USA Posts: 1,908	Re: Horn Cleaning Since the makes a sound, I hesitate to take it apart. Would it help to brighten the rotor or commutator while the horn is still in the car? If so, what would be effective to clean the rotor or commutator while it is in the car? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

05-08-2020, 05:43 AM	#4
Jacksonlll Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Michigan-- Member of Oakleaf of MARC Posts: 1,686	Re: Horn Cleaning If you can, back off on the adjustment until it spins with no sound. Oil it and let it get up to speed for a bit. That motor needs to run. After the motor sounds strong, readjust it to a good ahooga sound. I find this helps for a while. If you get a horn to sound good. leave it alone.

05-08-2020, 05:53 AM	#5
1crosscut Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Lincoln, Nebraska Posts: 1,909	Re: Horn Cleaning Hold some fine grade sand paper against the commutator while the horn is spinning to clean it up. Usually makes a world of difference. __________________ Dave / Lincoln Nebraska

05-08-2020, 03:28 PM	#6
Jacksonlll Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Michigan-- Member of Oakleaf of MARC Posts: 1,686	Re: Horn Cleaning Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I recently took a horn apart and found it all welded together. The motor frame was welded to the body where there should be screws and the cage was spot welded so you could not get the armature out. Did they make some after market horns like this?

05-08-2020, 03:30 PM	#7
Kurt in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: on the Littlefield Posts: 6,158	Re: Horn Cleaning I just wipe with rag, usually just before parade, oil bearings every couple years

05-09-2020, 09:09 AM	#9
wmws BANNED Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Coatesville, Pa Posts: 719	Re: Horn Cleaning I recently took a horn apart and found it all welded together. The motor frame was welded to the body where there should be screws and the cage was spot welded so you could not get the armature out. Did they make some after market horns like this? Yes my horn is that way. Very difficult to work on and tune. But it was cheep.