330 GTC horn compressor lubrication

Moderators: 330GT, abrent

Post Reply
250gte2259
Posts: 23
Joined: Mon Apr 27, 2020 12:47 pm

330 GTC horn compressor lubrication

Post by 250gte2259 »

Is there an easy procedure for accessing the oil filler on the horn compressor? The compressor is located way down behind the grill in front of the radiator. Practically inaccessible. The owners' manual shows the compressor sitting on the left hand fender liner ahead of the brake booster. My car is a late example so maybe they moved it after they published the manual.
User avatar
tyang
Posts: 4060
Joined: Wed Nov 27, 2002 10:28 pm
Location: New York
Contact:

Re: 330 GTC horn compressor lubrication

Post by tyang »

The 330 GTC horn compressor is really a bear to oil, even without the plastic cover they're supposed to have. It may be easier to unbolt the compressor to oil it than to try and reach the oil fill hole. Internally, there is a bit of wadding that is supposed to absorb whatever oil you insert. it's on the air intake side of the air compressor, so every time you operate the horn, a bit of oil gets sucked into the compressor, oiling the compressor vanes. I always try to remember to toot the horn every now and again to keep the internals of the horn moving and lubricated.

Good luck!

Tom
'63 330 America #5053
DWR46
Posts: 621
Joined: Tue Sep 22, 2009 8:23 pm

Re: 330 GTC horn compressor lubrication

Post by DWR46 »

If you can route a piece of safety wire down and into the oil hole so that the wire does not touch anything on the way down, you can put drops of 3-in-1 oil on the wire and they will follow the wire down and go into the oiling hole. I have done it this way for years. Works on lots of hard to access oil points.
250gte2259
Posts: 23
Joined: Mon Apr 27, 2020 12:47 pm

Re: 330 GTC horn compressor lubrication

Post by 250gte2259 »

Thanks for the guidance. How can you tell when it's topped off?
DWR46
Posts: 621
Joined: Tue Sep 22, 2009 8:23 pm

Re: 330 GTC horn compressor lubrication

Post by DWR46 »

Five or six drops every year or two. Doesn't need much oil.
John Vardanian
Posts: 1906
Joined: Wed Sep 04, 2002 12:13 am
Location: San Francisco Area

Re: 330 GTC horn compressor lubrication

Post by John Vardanian »

Similar to Dyke's suggestion, but use small diameter copper tubing. Good luck.

john
PF Coupe
User avatar
peterp
Posts: 314
Joined: Sun Feb 12, 2006 9:42 am
Location: NJ

Re: 330 GTC horn compressor lubrication

Post by peterp »

tyang wrote: Sat Feb 20, 2021 10:49 amInternally, there is a bit of wadding that is supposed to absorb whatever oil you insert. it's on the air intake side of the air compressor, so every time you operate the horn, a bit of oil gets sucked into the compressor, oiling the compressor vanes.
I'd love to see an internal photo to see where that wadding is located. It's been a while since I had mine apart, but I don't think my compressor has it. I suspect that wadding makes all the difference in the world for how long the oil lasts and in preventing oil from being blown into the air horns.
Peter P
1966 330 2+2 series 2 #8169
Post Reply