Thank you Harold, Wes and Jim for your replays. The horn seems to be working for now.

Here is what I did:

At Wes's suggestion, I clipped a ground wire to the lower cup and touched the wire to the center brass disk and the horn worked. This way I knew that the wiring, relay, and horns were working right.

I cleaned the contact plate and everything else I could with solvent and fine steel wool and reassembled.
The horn worked for a while but after a trip through town, it quit again.

I disassembled again and thought that the brass disk was too loose and moving so it didn't make contact. I found a thin black vinyl hose washer in my repair bin that was just the same size as the insulting washer behind the brass disk. I cut a slit in it so it would go over the wire. I put a small amount of craft glue on it to hold it in place
and put it behind the insulting washer to bring the brass disk closer to the contact plate. Maybe the spring is a little weak?

I reassembled again and waited for the glue to dry and it seems to be working fine. We will see if this is the permanent solution.

Thanks' again, guys!

other picture

Attach file:

---

  (320.17 KB)

My horn is not working, it was working intermittently for awhile.

I have replaced the relay with a new one from NAPA and replaced some frayed wire from the end of the steering column to switch terminal on the relay.

I hooked up a switch under the hood to the two terminals on the relay (B & S, in the wiring diagram) and a ground and it worked. I have removed the horn rim.
There is the spring and a copper looking disc that is attached to the wire that goes down the steering column

Now, how does it make contact to make the horn blow?

I have couple of pictures but I have forgotten how to resize them.

What is there something to replace, clean or adjust?
I have to have a way to signal people when I get a thumbs up! LOL

Attach file:

---

  (323.42 KB)

Thanks for all the replies and imput. You guys (and/or gals) are the best!

On the suggestion from Dave (Owen D.), I replaced the coil with the NAPA Echlin IC7 ($43.) They also had the cheaper model ($23.), but I went with the Echlin. I let the car warm up in the garage and it started easy and started after hot and after it sat a few minutes. I took it for a ride and it restarted fine.

This is my question: When I removed the old coil (Delco Remy #380 - 6 volt, I assume original to the car) I was careful to mark the negative and positive. It was opposite from what the forum and my wiring diagram showed. ( Wire to the distributor was on the negative.)

I debated this situation for awhile and decided to go with the way the wiring diagram shows, positive to the distributor. Obviously, the car ran fine.

Did I do this right? Why was the original coil hooked up the opposite way?

Can someone tell me how to test my coil? I have a cheap multi meter from HF.
What setting on the meter?
What results am I looking for from primary and secondary?

Should I test it warm since that is when I have trouble starting.?
Any other advise or cautions?

My car starts very easy when sitting in the garage. After a 20 to 30 minute ride today, it failed to restart. It was very hot here, about 90 to 95 degrees. This has happened twice now. Today, I waited about 20 minutes and it started right back up. Last week it started with a jump
( hence the new battery) but it had still sat for 30 minutes or so.

I got a new 6 volt battery last week and I am using mid grade gas with Star-Tron Enzyme additive. It is has been running perfect when started.

I know there are many experts out there,
What do you think is causing this

After needing a jump, I replaced my 6 year old battery with a new one from O Reilly's for $130.00. They got it to the store in about 5 hours.

Last season, I noticed two electrical problems:
My horn would work erratically and
My oilGauge would sometimes spike to the right and then return to normal.

I have not noticed either problem since I replaced the battery.

Does anyone think the failing battery may have caused these glitches?
Any opinions?

How long are 6 volt batteries lasting ?
I replaced mine in April of 2014, 6 years ago
I needed a jump today to get it running after a short drive.
What length of service are others finding?
.

Thanks for your help, Don. Your answer makes perfect sense.