MG-Cars.net

Welcome to our resource for MG Car Information.

Recommendations

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MGA - Missing Horn

I really feel foolish.
I bought a 1956 MGA last fall that is in close to mint condition, absolutely no rust on the body and only 13000 original miles. This is my first “A” and I can’t find the horn, it doesn’t want to honk and I’ve looked in all of the obvious spots to no avail. I have been told it had been stored with the owner of an “A” for a while and I’m wondering if he needed a horn and helped himself. I don’t mind replacing it but I would like to be able to find the wire and mount it in the appropriate location. I was hoping someone could point me in the right direction so I won’t have to open up the wiring harness to trace the horn wire. Thanks.
Paul

Paul
You should have two horns mounted under the front of the car just behind the front valance. I can send a photo if you need one.
Kris
Kris Sorensen

kris

Only one horn was fitted as standard - on the right hand side. The second was an optional extra.


Paul

The wires for the hooter should branch out of the main cable loom down the right hand side towards the front of the car. One should be a Brown cable with black stripe and the other a brown cable with green stripe.

Hope this helps

Steve
Steve Gyles

Paqul,

Now's the time to buy one of the many useful books out there: Clausager's "Original MGA" is an ideal one to start with. also Green's "MGA Restoration Guide" among others.

cheers,

Joe
Joe Cook

Paul, if you're new to the MGA you might not be aware of the placement of the horn button. It's in the center of the dash at the lower edge of the speaker grill. Sorry and I apologize if you already knew this, but just wanted to cover all the bases before you started tracing the wiring.
Bill Young

Thank you all for your help in finding the location of my horn, I do know the location of the horn button and have bought a number of (reprint of originals) manuals and part lists.
I feel I have now adequate information to solve my problem.
Again thank you.
Paul

Paul,
Tell us a little about your car! As you discribe it it is truly remarcable for a car of its age. What is its history. Thanx.
Steve.
Steve Meline

Here are 2 horn brackets: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MG-MGTC-MGTD-MGA-ORIGINAL-HORN-BRACKETS_W0QQitemZ4624354606QQcategoryZ6755QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
They mount under the radiator shelf to the frame extensions that look like:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MG-MGTC-MGTD-MGA-ORIGINAL-HORN-BRACKETS_W0QQitemZ4624354606QQcategoryZ6755QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
The horn looks like:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Working-Lucas-Windtone-Horn-MGA-TR3-Morgan-Bugeye_W0QQitemZ4622518122QQcategoryZ10076QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
If you would like a picture as mounted ask and I can take one to E-mail to you
R J Brown

If you determine that you need a new horn, there is a guy in Massachusetts named E.Lawrie Rhodes (sp?) who buys, sells and refurbishes original Lucas horns and wiper motors. I don't have his contact info, but he advertises each month in the British Marque newspaper.

Regards,
M.D.
'57 Coupe
M. D.

Paul
Check your mail.
Kris
Kris Sorensen

Paul

Please note the horn brackets shown on the ebay site above are both the same hand. You would require RH & LH brackets to fit both horns, if you require the real twin tone sound. The brackets bolt directly to the chassis, behind the front valence. You should see the original holes there.

Note also that the horns mount on these brackets with the dome uppermost. If upside down they fill up with water, which does nothing but bad things to electric horn contacts.

Pete
Pete Tipping

Hey guys, I'm looking at Kris' entry. I thought the horn went on top of the "radiator duct panel" (456-240, the 'floor' panel in front of the radiator). Thats where it was when I got the car. I couldn't find a picture in Clausager. I guess mounting the horn below the panel may help radiator air flow, getting it out of the way. Does the horn mount UNDER the car?

Also, I mounted an oil cooler on that panel about 3" out in front of the radiator since I thought that's where they put them in MGBs. From other posts, however, I have gathered that an oil cooler is better mounted BELOW that panel, again, under the car. I have big holes for the hose's but if I just flip it over I guess I can just use the same holes and have the hoses on top in stead of the cooler. I guess that would also help radiator cool-air flow. Do you'all agree? Thanx,

Steve.
Steve Meline

The orignal oil coolers were mounted on top of the panel in front of the radiator and the hoses came up from under the panel. It would seem to reduce the cooling from the radiator, but you have to remember that you are now cooling the oil too, so the overall cooling may not be changed much. If the oil cooler is mounted under the panel, the valance blocks the air flow reducing the benefit of the oil cooler. I have seen where some people have cut an opening in the valance to let air flow to a cooler that is mounted under the panel.The horn is mounted to the bottom of the front frame extension on the right side. There are holes there that fit the horn mounting bracket. Always mount the horn with the dome up, as mentioned by Pete in an earlier reply.
Ed Bell

To mount the oil cooler under the radiator duct panel there must be a hole for air. I eliminated the bumper and am making a hole in a Moss racing style fiberglass valence. The valance hole will include a formed duct to the oil cooler. I remounted oil cooler and installed a thicker core in the radiator. I mounted a pusher electric fan on the left front and a puller electric fan on the right rear side of the radiator. The oil cooler is as far forward as possible, it is in front of the cross tube of the front frame exyension. Now I can cool the 200 HP from the ported Mazda 12 a rotary engine. After a 12 year,I hate you relationship, of only running in cold weather or at night I am in love with her again. In fact I have added a front anti-sway bar and the red lower control arm bushings now that I can drive her. Yes it is a she. A tempermental b*tch that screams when I have my way with her.
R J Brown

Hi again
In the MGA Manual (Section A.45 - Fig A.13) it shows the positions of the oil cooler (above duct) and horn mounting holes. The horn(s) have to move forward when the oil cooler is fitted.

How's it going Paul?

Pete
Pete Tipping

Paul & Pete,

If you have the wrong horn bracket, it can be converted by cutting it thru the bend and re-welding it on the opposite side. I needed to do this to get the correct side bracket for a spare high note horn I added.

A little grinding, sandblasting and paint, it looks like the real thing.


Chuck
Chuck Schaefer

Thanks men.
R.J., how did you finish the hole in the glass valence and how did you construct the duct to the oil cooler? Thanks
Steve
Steve Meline

Horn brackets for both sides and great repro horns(loud!)are available from Scarbourough Faire.
Paul Hanley

Steve my body man has the valance and is doing it for me right now. I have never personally done fibreglass work. The duct will be formed as part of the valance. The oil cooler is 3 1/2 in behind the lip in the center and 1 1/2 in behind the valance at the ends of the cooler. The cooler is mounted as far forward as possible for a short duct.
R J Brown

RJ

When you are finished please post pictures of what you have done. I am sure that others besides myself would like to see it.

Thanks

Larry
Larry Hallanger

This thread was discussed between 21/03/2006 and 27/03/2006

MG MGA index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGA BBS is active now.