Resurrecting My Ahoooga

[JayGriff]

Hi all. I'm new to the barn and have enjoyed following a number of quite helpful threads (and private messages) since becoming the new owner of my old coupe (30'). It belonged to my grandfather who restored it in the mid 90s, and I'm very fortunate to have gotten my hands on it.


My local club has likewise been quite helpful in answering questions and showing me how to get her tuned up and running well.


I thought I might pose this question since I haven't been able to find a lot on the subject, which is the horn. The car currently has what I believe to be a pair of operable later era (and very loud) bell horns, but I want to return the ahooga horn back to service. I took it off the car but it has no wiring or connections at all. I haven't found any identifying marks or labels, but the guts appear to be period correct, possibly original.


I'd like to test it to see what happens, but I have no idea where the wiring is supposed to connect internally. Can someone help me understand where to connect a lead to a battery for my test?

 

[slammin]

Welcome to the Barn! If you could post a photo of the horn. Remove the motor cover and take good pictures of the motor from both sides. The Barn gang should be able to identify the maker by the motor construction. On another site there is an illustrated guide to tuning up the horns. I thought I had it saved but can't find it. Do a search for horns in this forum. You will find lots of threads, including the post with a link to the page I can't find.

 

[burner31]

Horns are quite easy to hook up.
But a picture of yours would sure help.
Your wiring hook up may be under the cover
Oil it up real good
A horn relay really helps too

 

[JayGriff]

Thanks all! Pictures coming soon...

 

[slammin]

Jay,
Here is the link I mentioned in post #2. I think you will find it very helpful.
http://modelabasics.com/horn.htm

 

[JayGriff]

Yes the link is helpful indeed, thanks! Here are pics of both sides of the horn motor as requested. Looks pretty much like the horn in #3 to me.

 

[Alan Greenleaf]

Horn is a Stewart Warner, the motor looks nice, be carefull if you unscrew the ratchet plate as it is left hand thread and breaks very quickly.

 

[slammin]

As Alan stated it is probably a Stewart Warner horn. Spartons were almost identical. Both usually had their name stamped on the flanges. Many times the marks were filled by paint. Your brushes look good. You should be able to turn the commutator with your fingers. If you follow the instructions in that link, you can clean assemble and adjust the horn. In your first picture you will notice two brass stampings on the base. Thats where you hook up your wires. SWs are considered by many as the best. I rebuilt one and am very happy with it. You shouldn't need to use a relay. If you have a factory style wire loom there should be a yellow wire and a blue wire with yellow trace. These power the horn. Connect them to those contacts by the motor. It doesn't matter which way. Pushing the horn button on the steering wheel completes the circuit.

 

[JayGriff]

Thanks again gentlemen! My car is 12V negative ground. I'll need to step that back down to 6V via resistor of some sort, correct? I believe I've seen previous threads on this subject also but advice on best solution is much appreciated.

 

[Mike V. Florida]

Here is some more info;

Recessed screw is Sparton
Proud screw is Stewart Warner

 

[Mike V. Florida]

Thanks again gentleman! My car is 12V negative ground. I'll need to step that back down to 6V via resistor of some sort, correct? I believe I've seen previous threads on this subject also but advice on best solution is much appreciated.

Two solutions present themselves for 12 volts, Purchase a resistor (http://www.mikes-afordable.com/product/A13820B.html) or rewind the fields.

 

[chap52]

Here is a video on restoring the Model A horn. Good info. Chap
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ss7j-3Lf1Ck