Mounting Additional Sparton AHOOGA Horn on a 26 Touring

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Mikey1968
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Mounting Additional Sparton AHOOGA Horn on a 26 Touring

Post by Mikey1968 » Thu Apr 29, 2021 2:47 pm

Hello all,
I want to keep the original Ford sick duck horn but repaired a Sparton AHOOGA horn that I wish to mount in addition; keeping both horns. Looking for ideas on where to mount and the brackets used. Pics please. A search showed a couple people mounted on the radiator rod.
Thanks,
Mike


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Re: Mounting Additional Sparton AHOOGA Horn on a 26 Touring

Post by TXGOAT2 » Fri Apr 30, 2021 9:57 am

I would not mount a motorized horn on the radiator support rod. One end of the rod is attached directly to the upper radiator tank, and any mass added to the rod will add to the mechanical stress on the radiator tank when the car is running. Normal vibration and road flex strains will be amplified by the mass/weight of the horn assembley and transmitted directly to the radiator tank. It's also a very hot location, and it could also reduce airflow through the radiator. If you must mount anything on the brace rod, attach it as close to the firewall end as possible, and try to attach it in such a way as to avoid adding any stiffness to the rod. The rod needs to flex along its length to prevent excess strains from normal chassis flex and vibration from reaching the radiator.


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Re: Mounting Additional Sparton AHOOGA Horn on a 26 Touring

Post by John Codman » Fri Apr 30, 2021 10:32 am

X2 to the above.

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DanTreace
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Re: Mounting Additional Sparton AHOOGA Horn on a 26 Touring

Post by DanTreace » Fri Apr 30, 2021 10:46 am

Very little room on the passenger side of the 26-27 with the coil box and standard Ford buzz horn.


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If your Sparton is the large motor drum Model A type, those can be exterior mounted, you could hang it on the 26-27 headlamp bar.

If the motor Ahooga horn is smaller type, about the only space in the engine compartment is on the driver's side. Make a bracket of heavy steel (lots of vibrations, so flimsy thin angle isn't best.) Go high enough to keep exhaust manifold heat from baking the horn. This is a motor horn mounted to engine head bolts, seems a good strong bracket....this is one way.

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The best way is always the simplest. The attics of the world are cluttered up with complicated failures. Henry Ford
Don’t find fault, find a remedy; anybody can complain. Henry Ford


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Re: Mounting Additional Sparton AHOOGA Horn on a 26 Touring

Post by Mikey1968 » Fri Apr 30, 2021 10:56 am

Thanks for the tip on the strain on the rod. I agree it didn't seem ideal. It is not the Model A horn. I need to go get a pic.


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Re: Mounting Additional Sparton AHOOGA Horn on a 26 Touring

Post by Mikey1968 » Fri Apr 30, 2021 11:24 am

Here's what I have. Note the bracket it came with. I also ordered a Model A bracket on the chance it might fit and offer an option.
Attachments
20210430_110044.jpg


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Re: Mounting Additional Sparton AHOOGA Horn on a 26 Touring

Post by jiminbartow » Fri Apr 30, 2021 12:55 pm

I’ve done exactly what you are proposing on my ‘26 coupe. I originally had the proper goose horn on my car when I bought it, but was shocked and disappointed when I first heard it after I hooked it up and tried it. Needless to say, I did not like it, so I eventually found a 6V Klaxon ahoogah horn, which I loved and, as a voice, fits my T much better. I installed both the goose horn and the Klaxon ahoogah horn, but after awhile, even though the goose horn is the proper one to use, I took it off and am using the Klaxon horn exclusively because I rarely used the goose horn, for the Klaxon horn elicited more smiles and reactions and I just like it better. The ahoogah sounding horn is what most people associate the T and most cars from the 20’s with, even though it is incorrect. Jim Patrick

PS. In answer to your question...My goose horn came with a raised bracket that allowed me to bolt it down using two of the head bolts. Each horn was wired separately and each had a button mounted on the steering column next to eachother.

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Re: Mounting Additional Sparton AHOOGA Horn on a 26 Touring

Post by Mark Nunn » Fri Apr 30, 2021 1:28 pm

I have a Klaxon mounted on the frame rail under the floor boards. You can't see it unless you really look for it. It's plenty loud down there.

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Re: Mounting Additional Sparton AHOOGA Horn on a 26 Touring

Post by varmint » Fri Apr 30, 2021 1:54 pm

Mark Nunn beat me. I was also going to suggest underneath in the frame area and it should be louder than stuffed in the engine compartment. I like the "Cronk" noise of the original horn only because that is what it is and it's educational. Be sure to include a fuse in the circuit.
Vern (Vieux Carre)


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Re: Mounting Additional Sparton AHOOGA Horn on a 26 Touring

Post by jiminbartow » Fri Apr 30, 2021 2:32 pm

Sorry to disagree, but I would advise strongly against installing any antique all-steel horn under the car (this does not apply to modern plastic reproductions. I agree that you should hide them). The diaphragm of the vintage, all-steel klaxon horn is blued steel and is protected fairly well from the rain and elements when installed properly in the engine compartment and is plenty loud. Also, the heat of the engine quickly evaporates any moisture that happens to be pulled in by the fan through the radiator and makes its’s way into the horn bell through the radiator. This is not the case when installed underneath the car. The rain, mud and road grime is funneled into the horn bell and the constantly wet mess sticks to and builds up on the diaphragm, diminishing the clarity of thesound and eventually rusting out the diaphragm, not to mention the stones and pebbles that could be kicked up, damaging the horn. A cool, nicely restored and painted original horn should not be hidden under the car, but in view for all to see. Jim Patrick


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Re: Mounting Additional Sparton AHOOGA Horn on a 26 Touring

Post by Herb Iffrig » Fri Apr 30, 2021 3:27 pm

How about mounting the horn under the car backwards?


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Re: Mounting Additional Sparton AHOOGA Horn on a 26 Touring

Post by TXGOAT2 » Fri Apr 30, 2021 3:35 pm

You might put the larger, heavier oogah horn on a rigid mount where the sick duck horn is now and hang the sick duck horn on the radiator brace with some type of flexible material, like an exhaust pipe hanger. It might be possible to find space in the floorboard for a manual type oogah horn.


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Re: Mounting Additional Sparton AHOOGA Horn on a 26 Touring

Post by Mikey1968 » Fri Apr 30, 2021 7:00 pm

All great ideas. Decisions, decisions.

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