Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

Probably about the only 6v horns you find will be used on ebay or from someone here with a parts car. Not sure how loud a boat horn might be in comparison but Packards were no slouch in the noise department.

It might be low voltage so a couple of possibilities maybe worth looking into are dirty connections at one of the terminals or dirty or pitted contacts in the relay or in the horns themselves.

You can bend the tabs to take the case off the relay and clean the contacts with a point burnisher or emery cloth or just replace it with a new universal 6v horn relay.

The dome covers on the horns just pop off. There is a small slot where you insert a screwdriver and twist to force the cover rim over some small retaining bumps. Once off look for any rust and corrosion on the diaphragm and around the pitch adjustment screw. A build up will keep the diaphragm from moving in a full range. There are a set of contacts in each horn that could probably stand a cleaning. You could also check carefully for any wasp or insect nests built in the opening or down inside the air chambers that could be muffling the sound.

Great, thank you Howard. I'm on it. TC

Assuming the car currently has the stock 6v, another thought is if the car had ever been run on 12v a pair of 12v horns could have been installed. Not easy to tell apart but those would definitely sound weak if run on 6v.

Hi Howard,

I burnished the the tabs and put a new 6 volt Napa HR100 relay on. That seems to have done the trick unless my ears are playing tricks on me. Thank you for your help.

TC

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Hi Howard,

Regarding oil pan drain plug part #426205, (1954 359 L8) is there any modern updated cross-reference for a 5/8-18 plug? or will any 5/8-18 plug suffice? Say from Summit or Dorman etc....

Regards,

TC

Any universal plug with a 5/8-18 thread will work so it is a matter of finding one you like that is similar in head shape to the original. I remember back in the day aftermarket plugs with magnetic tips were available everywhere and heavily promoted in the theory you could examine any metal that might have been captured for signs of early engine wear. Like so many things then, probably just another gimmick but they were relatively inexpensive and sold well.

I would try for something that comes with a softer nylon or other modern composition sealing washer rather than the original copper or fiber washers. Before installing you might also examine the mating surface on the pan where the washer will seal for any scores or grooves. If any are found smooth them a bit before using a new washer.

Great, thank you!

tc