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After searching all over the web and a few local old Ford stores, I found neither the contact, nor even a diagram of the crucial parts for my truck, equipped with the custom horn ring, not button.
The horn ring 1/3 twists onto the column.
Three tabs lock the horn ring on; the spring stands it off, but for momentary contact with the 'cup' in the wheel.
Column receiver slots and center-drilled shaft for the horn wire. Newer truck columns are undrilled. that 'cup' is here.
Finding a wire is easy for a 'horn button' truck. I made mine with a sealing disconnect at the underhood end of that wire.
Luckily, my truck came with the tubular insert that houses the spring-loaded contact and sits inside the shaft. I bought a spring but a spring from a pen would probably be okay; either cut to about 3/4" (not really a critical, precise length). That spring has the horn wire running through it . The upper end terminates in a contact for the circular contact plate, recessed in the center of the horn ring. They need constant contact; the momentary contact that grounds the circuit, activating the horn, is made by the horn ring assembly.
Dual circular disks surround the horn ring spring. The three-tabbed disk holds the assembly on the column; other is electrically isolated from the grounded column, until the horn ring is pushed. This disk is what the contact on the end of the horn wire pushes full-time against. the larger diameter allows momentary contact with the metal cup inside the steering wheel.
That metal cup is bolted to the steel, grounded (-) column shaft shown above.
The missing link! Luckily my truck had the fluted steel tube that fits into the drilled column shaft. The spring fits inside that tube, housing the horn wire and pushing against the insulator and contact.
My assembly (second try) in place. The length just needs to reach the center of the 'cup'; not longer as I found with #1.
As bakelite (non-conductive washer) seems no longer available, I downsized a 1/4" wooden dowel, drilling a center hole for the wire. The spring and contact must be insulated from contact with the metal sleeve inside the steel shaft.
Initially, I hammered down a piece of 1/8" copper tubing to a rounded tip, allowing soldering to the horn wire. There's no real rubbing action on that tip, so I found a single filament automobile socket wire's brass contact easier to fit, and shorter.
All that was left was fitting the horn ring in place and testing. I was thrilled, but no one will ever see my handiwork (so it's YOUR job to ).
Thanks. I hope it helps another FT enthusiast who doesn't want some damned horn button put somewhere. .
WESLEY OBSOLETE PARTS in Liberty KY has 2 = 606-787-5293.
GREEN SALES CO. in Cincinnati OH has 7 = 800-543-4959.
------------------------------------------------------------------ B9C-14308-A .. Wire Assy-Horn Switch-64" long - Use with Horn Ring / Obsolete
Applications: 1959/60 F100/1100 Custom Cabs.
NOS PARTS SOURCE in Olathe KS has 1 = 972-937-2201.
MCDONALD OBSOLETE PARTS CO. in Rockport IN has 1 = 812-359-4965.
CARPENTER NOS OBSOLETE PARTS in Concord NC has 1 = 800-476-9653.
WESLEY OBSOLETE PARTS has 2.
OBSOLETE RELIABLE PARTS in Nashville GA has 2 = 229-686-5101.
Bill, thanks. I have that diagram and looked for the parts; even bought a kit locally.. It doesn't show a horn ring but a horn button.... rather different parts, unless I am missing something.
Bill, thanks. I have that diagram and looked for the parts; even bought a kit locally.. It doesn't show a horn ring but a horn button.... rather different parts, unless I am missing something.
The picture is generic, there isn't one that shows the horn ring. What matters is: The basic part number for the wire in the pic is 14308
When you look this number up in the parts catalog (scroll down to see it), you will see the two different part numbers/applications I posted.
Pic from 1957/63 catalog, the 1956 application came from the 1948/56 catalog.
Then,I checked with Green and DC and they had the same assy I'd bought locally; that would not work with this wheel. They were correct for the button.
I was uncertain,given the truck's age and my unfamiliarity with them, if the wheel was stock, from a car or newer truck or what. I had no reason to believe this truck is a custom cab, hence would not come with this wheel. Gradually, I came to believe this is a '58 or 9 wheel (white) that was painted black as the '57 should be.
I really appreciate your widespread and detailed support of us all. Of import thing to me with this 'driver', is the horn works and is not a hack job.
Thanks again for that. Nice to verify, from a reliable and limitless source, what I found on the infamous web.
I have shopped all of those, and bought from two, plus a few others, like MidFifites. they, however, have almost no parts for non-fatfender Fords.
have you ever attended Pickups Limited's Western Nationals show in June? this year it'll again be 0n June 13th at canyon RV park, a short way east of you, off the 91 fwy. We're a bunch of great people, who happen to own these trucks.
Last couple of years, there were nearly 200 trucks, most stunning, from Canada, Oregon, Utah Mexico City with walk0-ins galore, even a couple Aussies!
Have you ever attended Pickups Limited's Western Nationals show in June?
This year it'll again be on June 13th at canyon RV park (aka gopherhole acres), a short way east of you, off the 91 fwy. We're a bunch of great people, who happen to own these trucks.
Last couple of years, there were nearly 200 trucks, most stunning, from Canada, Oregon, Utah Mexico City with walk-ins galore, even a couple Aussies!
2008: The 2 Aussies (FTE member Aussie53 and his brother) were staying at a cheap motel near Disneyland.
They weren't getting any sleep due to the many kids running around screaming at all hours of the night.
I invited them to stay at my home (I had another FTE member from WA as a guest), then I drove them around in my new Fusion to:
Blue Oval Truck Parts in Anaheim, Truck and Car Shop in Orange, Early Ford Store in San Dimas and the '40's Limited car show held at La Palma Park on Sunday following the Nats.
I attended the Nats 2008/2013, wasn't there last year. Besides the FTE members, several members of SoCal Galaxies attend. You may know Carl K, a pal of mine who has an immaculate '67 F250.
And even though I live about 20 miles away, I've driven over on Friday afternoon, then stayed at the Ayres Hotel several times. I also attended one of the swap meets that Ed puts on.
Nice. I'm just getting to know the guys outside the real active ones. For the past 3 years, I've done the video display, now that all our old archive items are digitized.
Hey did you do the lettering on your instrument panel (temperature/fuel?) It looks like new. There was someone who did that but the letters didn't come close to the originals.
Also it appears you have a 1968-up stock radio in it. Now I like that and it gives me ideas for later. I don't do the aftermarket stuff, prefer to keep it all Ford.
05-04-2015, 11:00 PM
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