Horns - Hi Note Hit and Miss

R

rp61973

Member
After successfully fixing the pad sensor, I have turned my attention to the high note horn (offside) that is not working. I have good supply and earth but it only works if I put the horn directly across the battery (with thick cables). I then unscrewed and replaced the small adjuster screw (with a LH thread) squirted a little Servisol inside and it now appears to work when connected to the proper terminals terminals (not sure how long this will be for though). The unit appears to be half steel half aluminium and needs a good de-rust and coat of paint if it does not give up again first.

has anyone else had experience with non-working P6 horns?
 
Looks like a good way forward. The only place I have located a similar replacement is through Holden (www.holden.co.uk) who supply the reproduction Lucas Windtones. But they want over £30 + VAT for each one! Being a fusspot, I would like to try and get the original Windtones if I replace mine.
 
I suppose I wasted a lot of time, but I completely rebuilt mine by grinding off the rivets, cleaning everything, replaced the rivets with threaded holes and screws, and tuned them.
Nothing like the originals !!

Dick West
 
OrganDoctor said:
I suppose I wasted a lot of time, but I completely rebuilt mine by grinding off the rivets, cleaning everything, replaced the rivets with threaded holes and screws, and tuned them.
Nothing like the originals !!

Dick West
Click to expand...
I am with you Dick. I did exactly the same years ago but for the Austin (the horns are the same).
When i bought the Rover it had non original horn. I have replaced it with modern Rover items that were close. But some time i intend to find an original pair to restore and fit.
Isn't it great when those things are restorable? I hate plastic sealed stuff that you throw away when it fails.

Demetris
 
I have taken the high note Windtone apart (grinding the aluminium rivet heads off) and found the problem. During the 35 years of service, water has crept into the horn between the two paper gaskets. I have thoroughly cleaned/removed any light rusting from the internals, cleaned the points inside with some fine wet and dry and cleaned it out thoroughly with Servisol.

I have made up 2 new paper gaskets using my old school compass to make up the ring shapes. I have purchased some M4 x 16 button head hex screws and nylocs to fit the horn back together. I have adjusted and tested the horn on the car and it now gives a nice loud note!

Next job - finish derusting the exterior of the top half of the horn (I am using Bilt Hamber DeOx gel) and remove the flaking paint from the bottom half of the horn (aluminium). All that is needed then is some aluminimum primer on the bottom half, some red oxide primer on the top and then gloss black Smoothrite sprayed to finish off. I will get a picture when completed. I may also do the same to the low note horn!

These horns seem to be bulletproof. I note that Holden spares sells reproductions of these for £30+ + VAT!
 
High tone horn all finished and fitted and working well (I will upload picture). I have removed the non-functioning low tone horn only to find someone has fitted another High tone horn!

Has anyone a spare low tone horn that do not need/want? I would be happy to take a u/s unit, crack it apart and see if I can breath life back into it. Thanks. Paul.
 
This is the most fun, in my opinion; to completely disassemble the various parts and then make them just like (or maybe even a little better than) new.

Dick West
 
This is a picture of the refurbished High tone horn. In the end I did not use the Smoothrite paint - I tried it on the base of the horn and it just would not dry. I ended up cleaning the tacky paint off with some white spirit (this did not disturb the primer underneath).

In the end I used some black Hycote acrylic aerosol. This is a satin finish and covered the primer beautifully (it gives an almost plastic finish). I am very pleased with the results.

http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm145/rp61973/HORNH.jpg
 
Now I am picturing everyone down on their knees in front of the car squinting upwards to see this masterpiece.

Dick West
 
Good news - I have now located a low tone horn at a very reasonable price from a nice Land Rover lady on Ebay. Now I know the drill hopefully the refurbishment of this one won't take as long as the 1st one did!
 
Granted it is well hidden and you would need to pay homage to the front of the car to see it, but the mild steel top half of the horn was had seriously pitted for want of a good protective layer of paint and the ally bottom half was starting to go powdery in places. Hopefully this will see another 35 years of service before it needs a twiddle, clean and repaint again!
 
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