Need Some Help
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Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 3,730
Likes: 13
From: Waynesville, OH
Need Some Help
Well, I made a smart move and replaced the horn button, support cup, and star-shaped horn spring since I found out the stuff that came with Earl was not original after all.
Then I made a really dumb move and broke the little round insulator that goes around the horn wire and keeps it from making contact with the cover on the horn button support cup. It's a flanged bushing - about 1/4" long with the flange OD somewhere around 1/2".
I checked with several vendors and they can sell me the complete wire/insulator combo, but nobody has just the insulator. I thought I'd see if anybody here has a parts truck or a box-o-horn parts with the insulator for the horn wire. The wires themselves wear out regularly I'm guessing. They get all greasy and the cloth covering abrades and gets torn off the wire. I suspect that the insulators, however, are pretty much intact on most trucks - even after fifty years.
Well, if anybody has one of these little insulators, I'd certainly be willing to pay for it and the cost of mailing it to me. PM me if you have one and thanks for any help.
Then I made a really dumb move and broke the little round insulator that goes around the horn wire and keeps it from making contact with the cover on the horn button support cup. It's a flanged bushing - about 1/4" long with the flange OD somewhere around 1/2".
I checked with several vendors and they can sell me the complete wire/insulator combo, but nobody has just the insulator. I thought I'd see if anybody here has a parts truck or a box-o-horn parts with the insulator for the horn wire. The wires themselves wear out regularly I'm guessing. They get all greasy and the cloth covering abrades and gets torn off the wire. I suspect that the insulators, however, are pretty much intact on most trucks - even after fifty years.
Well, if anybody has one of these little insulators, I'd certainly be willing to pay for it and the cost of mailing it to me. PM me if you have one and thanks for any help.
old and in the way
Joined: Jul 1997
Posts: 5,910
Likes: 1,042
From: Lovely Hueytown Alabama
george,
if all else fails.... find some nylon or plastic solid rod...larger than you need... figure out the o.d. of the original and chuck the new rod up in a drill or drill press or lathe if you have access and turn one down... then drill out the center.... and whalaa... (that's a magic word) new insulator. don't start getting scientific... just take a file or sandpaper to it and cut it down... it ain't hard george...
later
john
if all else fails.... find some nylon or plastic solid rod...larger than you need... figure out the o.d. of the original and chuck the new rod up in a drill or drill press or lathe if you have access and turn one down... then drill out the center.... and whalaa... (that's a magic word) new insulator. don't start getting scientific... just take a file or sandpaper to it and cut it down... it ain't hard george...
later
john
Thread Starter
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Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 3,730
Likes: 13
From: Waynesville, OH
Colonel, I've attached a pic of what I'm looking for, thanks.
John, you are right, as usual. I was talking with Evan and we kept starting out trying to find a lathe. For this soft material, a drill press and file will work just fine. Thanks for the brain jigger - I think most of it is running at some speed again.
John, you are right, as usual. I was talking with Evan and we kept starting out trying to find a lathe. For this soft material, a drill press and file will work just fine. Thanks for the brain jigger - I think most of it is running at some speed again.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,283
Likes: 1,046
From: NM
George, the local True Value has an assortment of nylon flanged bushings in a Dorman-style bin. If there isn't one near you, send the dim's and I'll check it out for you. If there is a Sears Hardware near you, they have an even better assortment (I think some of them are in the "Lamp Parts" assortments).
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 932
Likes: 9
From: DFW, TX
George,
Here are a couple of suggestions from one of your favorite resources, McMaster-Carr.
1. page 3488, MS35489 sealing grommets, many sizes to chose from
2. page 3489, PVC sealing grommets, although these may not be small enough
Good Luck,
Kent
Here are a couple of suggestions from one of your favorite resources, McMaster-Carr.
1. page 3488, MS35489 sealing grommets, many sizes to chose from
2. page 3489, PVC sealing grommets, although these may not be small enough
Good Luck,
Kent
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 785
Likes: 0
From: Canada
Horn Insulator
George, let me know if you have found one, or made one. If not send me your address, and I will send you one, no charge. 
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Thread Starter
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Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 3,730
Likes: 13
From: Waynesville, OH
Thanks for the offers guys. I really appreciate how much this group comes together when they can help out another member.
After John made his suggestion, Evan cast me a rod of acrylic resin in the right size. 20 minutes on the drill press with a sharp, heavy steel blade, a box cutter knife, and a drill bit and I have a new one that works perfectly.
Once again, I appreciate the effort all of you went to in checking things out for me!
After John made his suggestion, Evan cast me a rod of acrylic resin in the right size. 20 minutes on the drill press with a sharp, heavy steel blade, a box cutter knife, and a drill bit and I have a new one that works perfectly.
Once again, I appreciate the effort all of you went to in checking things out for me!