And the two horns...

[rodo]

Putting it all back together. PO took the horns off. I'm trying to get them on. Great, I have found one hole for mounting two horns. EAch has the wee bent bracket and bolt/nut. Am I missing some kind of bracket that holds both horns? Or does one hang behind the grill and the other...goes somewhere else? Why are the small things so difficult?

[wetminkey]

My '79 has two, separate mountings. One, above the driver's edge of the radiator,...second, on the other side of the airdam partition, above carb intake. Both mount via holes in the sheetmetal just fwd of the radiator,...one each side of the driver's side hood-spring mount. I'll get a couple of pics tomorrow.
Same here. Had to figure this one out without much help, other than some old photos, and some deduction.
Todd.

[rodo]

Thanks, Wetminky. After I posted I got frustrated and actually went and sat on the ground in front of the car...and there is the other hole, way on the side, just as you described. Bam, bam, horns are in.

Now the bit of chrome trim that screws into the front of the hood. The one I took off was mangled; the one from the donor car is better but not the right angle. What does one do to get this on, just bend, twist, and shove? Can't imagine trying to get it to fit w/o scratching the paint.

[wetminkey]

Cool! Glad you found that bolt hole and got the horn installation figured out,...I hope I did!
Does your's look anything like this when done?

I think I got them oriented correctly,...
Thanks, Todd.

[wetminkey]

For others that might need to see those bolt holes:

BTW, rodo, that stainless 'nosepiece',...you'll not be bending it. It's stainless,...STIFF! If you have to, you can cut the mounting plate of the piece in a couple of places with a hacksaw to allow for some change in the curve,...but not much! Bend it off of the car and trial the fit each time. Look for a rubber seal/gasket that will protect your paint. Same seal/gasket goes around the entire front stainless trim.
Best of luck with your hood trim!
Todd.

[rodo]

Thanks a ton, Wetminky, that is exactly it. Fortunately the horns are nearly infinitely adjustable. Popped them in the bolt holes and then found just the right angle for the attachment to the mount. Turned out easy in the end.

And great tip on the hood chrome piece!

Hm, interesting vent opening you have behind the horn on the right in the image, the one with the grill over it. I don't think I have that!

[wetminkey]

Carb draws 'higher pressure' air from the grille area through that opening (kind of a RAM system). A large hose, like a snorkel, connects the opening to the air cleaner intake on my '79.
I hope this thread will help others with horn installation questions,...I really couldn't find any specific threads, or good pics of horns installed, within the forum.
Todd.

[rodo]

Yes, it does help with horn installation. It was one of those things that just got lost in the shuffle of taking the car apart.

Grill makes sense as does why I don't have one.

Now I just need someone to explain how to get the rusted screws out of the door receiver on my donor car so I can put it on my good spider.

[mikewof]

I'm curious about the horns on the stock Spider.

My '75 has horns that sound like boat horns, the compressor takes about a quarter second to wind them up and ramp up the volume. I had always assumed the previous owner (I bought her in about 1983 or so) had taken out the stock Fiat horns and put in those boat horns. But after reading this thread, I now wonder, are those boat-sounding horns the standards?

[18Fiatsandcounting]

But after reading this thread, I now wonder, are those boat-sounding horns the standards?

I wouldn't describe them as boat horns, but yes, the early spiders had two trumpet air horns with an air compressor. I don't know what year they switched to the more common "electric vibrator" type horn. Maybe mid 70s.

The reason I wouldn't describe the early horns as boat horns is that they sound like a stuck pig. Definitely gets your attention, and I like them as it gives it a European sound.

Sometimes the trumpet air horns are a little slow to start up, and there are two possible reasons: 1) the compressor needs oil, or 2) the trumpets need adjustment, and there is a locknut on these so they can be screwed closer to or further from the vibrating air diaphragm. There is actually a fairly precise sweet spot for maximum volume and quickest response.

-Bryan

[Nicketts]

82 spider here. Horn works but seldom use because the button, on steering wheel, can stick on. A second tap will free it, but…anyone have this issue? Don’t want to mess anything up experimenting.

[mikewof]

But after reading this thread, I now wonder, are those boat-sounding horns the standards?

I wouldn't describe them as boat horns, but yes, the early spiders had two trumpet air horns with an air compressor. I don't know what year they switched to the more common "electric vibrator" type horn. Maybe mid 70s.

The reason I wouldn't describe the early horns as boat horns is that they sound like a stuck pig. Definitely gets your attention, and I like them as it gives it a European sound.

Sometimes the trumpet air horns are a little slow to start up, and there are two possible reasons: 1) the compressor needs oil, or 2) the trumpets need adjustment, and there is a locknut on these so they can be screwed closer to or further from the vibrating air diaphragm. There is actually a fairly precise sweet spot for maximum volume and quickest response.

-Bryan

Thanks, maybe they're stock then. Mine twin-air horns are tuned, they sound really great together, I'll try to take a recording and some point and post. Maybe the "stuck pig" ones are out of tune?

[18Fiatsandcounting]

I'll try to take a recording and some point and post. Maybe the "stuck pig" ones are out of tune?

I could be wrong, but I think the original trumpet horn sound was more of a squeal than something like a fog horn, or the more common "honk" of American cars. Rather shrill, but as I said, it definitely gets your attention.

The adjustment of the trumpets changes the volume but has only a minor effect on the tone. Now that I think about it, it does kind of sound like a musical trumpet.

Yes, please post a recording if you get a chance.

-Bryan