Tuning horns& horn mounting on a 63

[John D.]

My pal Norm said he doesn't like the sound of my horns on the 63. They blow OK and passed ops with no problem. So I asked a question on the other side about tuning them on the car and the replies were basically just turn the 12 pt screw and comical replies.
Then I went thru the archives here and Dr. Chuck Gongloff said in 2000 that to tune the horns it involves "Serial tightening of the rivets. Like tuning a snare drum".
Now I realize I could remove the horns as reportedly they are installed backwards anyhow (false rumor) and send them off to the horn gurus.
But I hate to take the car apart as for once it is in one piece. Any tips on what I should use as a guide to adjust the sound of the horns. Will just turning the 12 point screw do the job?
Subject #2. Horn mounting on a 63. The LWC car got dinged at Seven Springs regional because nice judges said the horns were installed backwards. My 455 and 456 face one another. We discussed this on Vh's and the consensus was that they are 100% correct as far as the mounting. The aims has a rather poor illustration of the horns in that the drawing is not that of a 63 horn. But the notes in the aims as far as the mounting of the horns are correct and matches 99% of the 63's I have looked at. So look at your 63 horns NCRS members and see if they do in fact face each other. Say 5:00 and 7:00. If they are facing out towards the parking light you might want to do more research. Thanx, John D

[William L.]

Re: Tuning horns& horn mounting on a 63

My pal Norm said he doesn't like the sound of my horns on the 63. They blow OK and passed ops with no problem. So I asked a question on the other side about tuning them on the car and the replies were basically just turn the 12 pt screw and comical replies.
Then I went thru the archives here and Dr. Chuck Gongloff said in 2000 that to tune the horns it involves "Serial tightening of the rivets. Like tuning a snare drum".
Now I realize I could remove the horns as reportedly they are installed backwards anyhow (false rumor) and send them off to the horn gurus.
But I hate to take the car apart as for once it is in one piece. Any tips on what I should use as a guide to adjust the sound of the horns. Will just turning the 12 point screw do the job?
Subject #2. Horn mounting on a 63. The LWC car got dinged at Seven Springs regional because nice judges said the horns were installed backwards. My 455 and 456 face one another. We discussed this on Vh's and the consensus was that they are 100% correct as far as the mounting. The aims has a rather poor illustration of the horns in that the drawing is not that of a 63 horn. But the notes in the aims as far as the mounting of the horns are correct and matches 99% of the 63's I have looked at. So look at your 63 horns NCRS members and see if they do in fact face each other. Say 5:00 and 7:00. If they are facing out towards the parking light you might want to do more research. Thanx, John D

John: I am in complete agreement with you on the positioning of '63 horns. Aiming the horns outwardly instead of toward each negatively affects the resultant combined two-note tone of the horns. The Judging Manual is incorrect on this issue, in my opinion.

[John D.]

Re: Tuning horns& horn mounting on a 63

William, Typically I don't say anything here about judging manuals but this horn issues does need brought to light before a ton of 63 owners go reversing their horns. We need more than heresay on our part. We need actual photos of unrestored cars and a second look at the aims page.
Maybe someone will post some nice pics here of the real deal unmolested 63 horns. Thanks, JD

[Mike M.]

Re: Tuning horns& horn mounting on a 63

i strongly favor the horns pointing inboard. mike

[Stuart F.]

Re: Tuning horns& horn mounting on a 63

For what it's worth, mine is pretty much an original 63 - leastwise I've had it since new. My horns point slightly inward at the 5:00 and 7:00 positions. I'm certain about the low note one on the passenger side, but I recall way back when I changed the high note for a 6 volt unit (which was a popular item back then) to make more noise. The horn looks almost the same and is aimed as the original, but the "curl" is on the top instead of the bottom, i.e. It is the same shape as the standard low note only turned 180 degrees. My original high note is around some place, but I have not found it yet. Sorry, probably not a good example.

Stu Fox

[Gary C.]

Re: Tuning horns& horn mounting on a 63

John, give Joe Perri at call 312-307-1977 or 773-631-1449. Joe's a nice guy and will give you advice on your horn tuning or he can rebuild them. Does the best job I've seen on horns for the fairest price. Good luck, Gary....

[Rick A.]

Re: Tuning horns& horn mounting on a 63

John,

or closer to home, you can call Ron Goralski in Maryland and he can talk you through the process - 410-987-1948

[Bernard M.]

Re: Tuning horns& horn mounting on a 63

This was an issue at our most recent Chapter judging. It came up in regard to a very nice, albeit restored, 1963 coupe. Some point deduction relating to mounting was made but I can't remember the extent. The owner posed the question to either Roy Sinor or Carlton Colclough via e-mail after the meet and was vindicated. The photograph in the manual (latest edition) depicts the horns appearing to point straight down. I believe that the correct orientation was determined to be down and inward; approximately 5 and 7 o'clock.

[Chuck G.]

Re: Tuning horns& horn mounting on a 63

Then I went thru the archives here and Dr. Chuck Gongloff said in 2000 that to tune the horns it involves "Serial tightening of the rivets. Like tuning a snare drum".

Now I realize I could remove the horns as reportedly they are installed backwards anyhow (false rumor) and send them off to the horn gurus.
But I hate to take the car apart as for once it is in one piece. Any tips on what I should use as a guide to adjust the sound of the horns. Will just turning the 12 point screw do the job?

Subject #2. Horn mounting on a 63. The LWC car got dinged at Seven Springs regional because nice judges said the horns were installed backwards. My 455 and 456 face one another. We discussed this on Vh's and the consensus was that they are 100% correct as far as the mounting. The aims has a rather poor illustration of the horns in that the drawing is not that of a 63 horn. But the notes in the aims as far as the mounting of the horns are correct and matches 99% of the 63's I have looked at. So look at your 63 horns NCRS members and see if they do in fact face each other. Say 5:00 and 7:00. If they are facing out towards the parking light you might want to do more research. Thanx, John D

John.

When horns are rebuilt, when they reinstall the diaphragms, even pressure is placed on all the rivets to get the right tension, thus my analogy to tuning a snare drum.

Once the horn is done, and it blows nicely, there is no way to change the note of the horn. If it's an A note horn, it will always be an A note horn.

The note the horn produces is a function of the diaphragm and the length of the convoluted tubing leading up to the bell, or trumpet.

Turning the 12 point screw affects the vibration of the diaphragm. It won't change the note. Adjust the screw to get the clearest, loudest tone, and that's it.

Also, I agree that the horn bells face in, with the passengers side bell facing 5 o'clock, and the drivers side facing 7 o'clock.

Chuck

[John D.]

Re: Tuning horns& horn mounting on a 63

John,

or closer to home, you can call Ron Goralski in Maryland and he can talk you through the process - 410-987-1948

Thank you sir for courteous reply. Now I see you did't read the good post old JD put up here Mr. Aleshire. It said HOW CAN OLD JD adjust the horns his lonesome self. Not trying to learn trade secrets although I tell my every day to the world-just trying to see if the job can be done on the car without taking it apart again. For once the LWC is in one piece.
I guess I will just turn the 12 point screw and see if I can change the sound of them by seat of pants. I wish I had listened to you blow..
the horns of course on your Lady at 7 Springs to see if sound was to my liking. I could change the wording of that sentence but it may get me deleted.

[John D.]

Re: Tuning horns& horn mounting on a 63

i strongly favor the horns pointing inboard. mike

Since you and CC are like brothers we of the DB will elect you Dr. Mike to pass the word on to CC and RS to correct obvious typo in the new 5th.
Maybe my horn got some of ur chew stuck in it at 7 Springs!!!!

[John D.]

Re: Tuning horns& horn mounting on a 63

This was an issue at our most recent Chapter judging. It came up in regard to a very nice, albeit restored, 1963 coupe. Some point deduction relating to mounting was made but I can't remember the extent. The owner posed the question to either Roy Sinor or Carlton Colclough via e-mail after the meet and was vindicated. The photograph in the manual (latest edition) depicts the horns appearing to point straight down. I believe that the correct orientation was determined to be down and inward; approximately 5 and 7 o'clock.

Bernie, Actually it was determined by a little guy with gray hair that the horns should point away from each other. Can't say who it was though. All I know is my 63 LWC got nice ding. LWC was robbed Bernie. I mean it was the difference between blue and red ribbon. Just kidding. If I could just pass ops for once I wouldn't have to worry about all this little crapola. Almost made it thru ops till a bystander whose name is like the mexican drink said hey dudes the LWC door locks are on backwards.

[John D.]

Re: Tuning horns& horn mounting on a 63

Thanks for good answer Dr. Chuck. SO it appears that everyone on this post agrees that the 63 horns face one another-5:00 and 7:00.
Your MD pal is elected to straighten out this typo in the new 5th with his bro CC.