Rebuilding horns?

[Terry F.]

Hi, has anyone had any experience rebuilding horns on there corvette. I have a pair that I would like to restore. I put a battery charger across the lead and nothing happened. I am assuming they are both bad.

I see that there are kits sold to rebuild them. Any suggestions appreciated. Thanks, Terry

[Donald T.]

Re: Rebuilding horns?

Did you ground the horns? The horns are grounded when they are mounted on the core support. If you are bench testing, then you will need to provide the ground, otherwise they won't work.

[Mike E.]

Re: Rebuilding horns?

Ron Goralski does a good, reasonably priced job with rebuilding horns. Most have had moderate success, at best, with the rebuild kits.

[Tracy C.]

Contact info for Ron? Can he do a pair of 63's?

I contacted the "Horn Works" but he didn't have the right stuff for anything earlier than 64.

tc

[Jim W.]

Re: Contact info for Ron? Can he do a pair of 63's

Ron did my '67 horns a few years ago and he may be able to help you with your '63. The contact information I have for him is e-mail byegonevette@aol.com or call 410-987-1948. Good luck. Jim - Member #2978

[Terry F.]

Re: Rebuilding horns?

Ground???? Sure I grounded it. I put one lead on the ground and touched the other to the terminal. Nothing happened.... Hmmm? I don't think they are working.

Terry

[Tracy C.]

thanks Jim!! *NM*

[Tracy C.]

Re: Rebuilding horns?

Try the same approach on a charged battery. Ground the horn frame to the (-) post and use a jumper wire from the (+) post to the terminal on the horn.

Sometimes a charger doesn't deliver the amp jolt you need to excite the horn's guts and make it beller...

tc

[John O.]

Re: Rebuilding horns?

Hi Terry
It takes alot to rebuild horns properly. There is a guy Dennis Portka in Hamburg N.Y. He is listed in the Drive Line book under services. He rebuilds horns the right way with the right rivets.He also sells horns. He is very good.Look in the book and call him. I talked to him months ago and i'm sending my horns to him when i'm ready.If you have trouble finding his number, let me know.

Good luck...John

[Joe R.]

Re: Rebuilding horns?

If you plan to have your car judged, it might be wise to have them professionally restored. The rivets need to look right and the horns need to operate reliably for the operations test. Many people who attempt their own rebuild end up with unreliable operation. Dennis Portka (716-649-0921) is an established horn restorer who did a nice job on my horns.

If you don't plan to have your car judged, a set of generic replacements will cost a lot less. Just be sure to keep the original horns for a possible future restoration.

[Donald T.]

Re: Rebuilding horns?

I concur with comments on Dennis Portka. He restored my horns and they came out great. The waffle pattern on the rivets is dead on. Be prepared for sticker shock but that's just like everything else.

[Joe C.]

Re: Rebuilding horns?

Terry:

Yes, I rebuilt my horns, but the slightest twist in the case halves, or unevenness in flattening the rivets will result in an inoperative unit. If the diaphragm is not perfectly aligned and flat, it will be constrained, and therefore, unable to properly vibrate.
Before final assembly, I used nuts-and-bolts instead of the rivets, until I got it aligned correctly. It took a few attempts. After assembly, I had to adjust both for proper harmony (correct "hi" and "lo" notes). They both look "correct" and work perfectly, with a "correct" note.
If you have time, patience, and skill, then purchase the complete diaphragm and rivet kit from Corvette Central. Other parts houses might have it, too. If not, then you should send them out.
One final "note": if there is corrosion in the area where the terminal is rivetted to the case, then that may cause an "open" between the terminal and the coil, inside. The terminal has an insulator underneath, so be careful while cleaning it. Try rotating the terminal back-and-forth SLIGHTLY, a couple times. Test as described above: touch a PAINT FREE area of the case/bracket to the - batt terminal, and jumper the terminal to the + terminal. This may very likely be your problem.

Joe

[Terry F.]

Re: Rebuilding horns?

Thanks, I was having that same thought. I new the horns draw a lot of current. These particular horns came from a very dry climate and are rust free on the outside. I am hoping to make them work. I will attach them directly to the battery and see what happens. Thanks, Terry

[Terry F.]

Great suggestions! Thanks everyone! Terry *NM*

[John H.]

Re: Rebuilding horns?

Ron Goralski just did another one for me, and it's flawless, with about 50% of the sticker shock from the other restorer.