FIAAM horn source

Steve Meltzer · Post by **Steve Meltzer** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 12:40 am

Anyone have a reasonably priced source for obtaining an FIAAM air horn compressor? I have the phone number to the company, and will call them on Monday. In the meantime, any ideas for a vendor? thanx s

Rudy van Daalen Wetters · Mon Apr 02, 2007 1:23 am

How about ebay? I see a number of them and not too expensive.

Rudy van Daalen Wetters
1963 GTE s/n 4001
1966 330 GT s/n 8705

David Booth · Post by **David Booth** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 1:46 am

Only problem is, the modern FIAMM stuff is completely different from the horns and compressors used in our cars. My GTE has FIAMM horns, but the cabriolet has Marchal Stridors - maybe an early owner change-out, who knows? And a ratty Marchal compressor and a single horn bigger than either of the the ones on my car sold for $1,600 on e-bay a couple of weeks ago. Ouch. The proper vintage FIAMM horns and compressors occasionally come up on e-bay motors, but although they won't be as sky-high as the Marchals, they will not be cheap. You could also ask the usual suspects: Tom Shaughnessy, Fred Petroskie..

matt · Post by **matt** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 4:38 pm

The Fiamm roadmaster set-up is hard to find. Every once in a while they are on e-bay. You may also try t rutlands, they had one a few months ago. Expect to pay 400 dollars or so. Once you get it, you can have the compressor crinkle finished and the horns painted, them purchase the Fiamm disc that goes on top from Parker Hall for 25 dollars, and the red oil top from Mike Dunn for 50 dollars, because they are usually missing or damaged. You may also need new red hose line for 50 cents an inch from Mike Dunn. When you have everything finished you will then need the pretty little Fiamm oil bottle that goes into the tool kit, They cost 400 dollars if you can find an original, however repros may be available, which I think Tom S has. Yes, it's another expensive project. Good luck on your new project.

Steve Meltzer · Post by **Steve Meltzer** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 5:41 pm

are those units rebuildable? mine sure looks correct, but while the radiator is out, I may just paint a new Hella unit black and call it a day. I'll bet I can find some great wines for the $600 or so I'd have spent on an expensive dirt catcher in the front of the car! thanx so much. s

Post by **330GT** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 7:47 pm

Steve Meltzer wrote:are those units rebuildable? ...

Sure they are. Most times, the only problem is that the air vanes are rusted in place. It's easy to tell. If the ammeter takes a large jolt to the left but there is no noise, the motor is trying to turn but can't. Just take off the top (three screws), pull the center with the vanes out and clean everything up. Oil and it should be fine.

For more details, look at http://www.parrotbyte.com/kbc/ferrari/AirHorn.htm

Steve Meltzer · Post by **Steve Meltzer** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 8:53 pm

Hallelujah! that's great. I'll pull it and take it apart, as, luckily, it's the real deal. thanx again. Kerry. s

matt · Post by **matt** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 12:58 am

Caution. Be careful when you open the top not to loose the small ball bearing that rests on the top of the motor spindle. You can get blank wrinkle paint from eastwood. It works pretty good if you get the piece warm.

Art S. · Post by **Art S.** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 7:02 am

OK, now the magic question, what oil do you use? Does Parker Hall make reproduction oil to go with the reproduction bottle? :D

Regards,

Art S.

Post by **330GT** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 8:23 am

Art S. wrote:OK, now the magic question, what oil do you use? Does Parker Hall make reproduction oil to go with the reproduction bottle? :D

Regards,

Art S.

My non-OEM oil bottle is in the picture. Tri-Life Pneumatic Oil. Any place selling air tools should stock some brand in a small bottle. As far as that goes, any light weight oil like 3 in 1 would be fine too.

Rudy van Daalen Wetters · Tue Apr 03, 2007 8:21 pm

I tried the pneumatic oil that Kerry recommended. Works great.

Rudy van Daalen Wetters
1963 GTE s/n 4001
1966 330 GT s/n 8705

larryingreenback · Post by **larryingreenback** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 8:57 pm

I was about to buy a new Fiamm compressor several years ago, and when I called Serio Sartor (then with FAF ) he suggested I take the compressor apart and oil it: I did so and has worked well for several years now. He is a treasure of information and now works for Ted Rutland, so I would suggest you call him for details....

Larry Benson, 330 GTC

John Vardanian · Post by **John Vardanian** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 12:28 am

The Fiamm on my Lusso reacts immediately to the horn button. As soon as the button it pressed the horn barks loud and strong.

My PF coupe's horn compressor is by Marchal, but it works the same way as the Fiamm. Except, it has three veins, as opposed to the two of the Fiamm. However, there is a lag in the bark, almost as if the compressor needs time to build up air pressure.

Could the wrong oil cause this or is it because the compressor is a different manufacture? I have opened the top and things look okay. Any similar experiences?

Thanks.

john

Rudy van Daalen Wetters · Thu Apr 05, 2007 1:18 am

Maybe by design, the Marchal compressor is slower and needs a longer period to build up the necessary air pressure. Perhaps purposely so. The French consider a loud horn very rude and an offense. Many French cars come standard with a soft 'city' horn and a louder 'country' horn. Using the 'country' horn in town will get you a ticket. I can appreciate the Fiamm which says "I have arrived, so get out of my way!"

Rudy van Daalen Wetters
1963 GTE s/n 4001
1966 330 GT s/n 8705

John Vardanian · Post by **John Vardanian** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 11:44 pm

Hi Rudy,

I never thought of it that way. You may have a point.

john