Horn issue...

Yeah, I have that ground wire on the column. I jumped the horn wire to that and the horn sounded. No problem there.

It turns out, by checking with the ohm meter on various places, I found that the steering rod's bottom portion (going into the steering box) was fully grounded, but the top portion (collapsible column, so two part steering rod) was not sufficiently grounded. I checked this by removing the steering wheel and grounding the horn wire to the chassis, for example, to the shift lever on the column. That closed the circuit and the horn sounded. But, when I checked the connection between the horn wire and the top portion of the steering rod (where the steering wheel nut is), there was resistance indicated by the ohm meter. Indeed, when I jumped these two points the horn didn't work.

I forgot that I had done some work on the steering column during the engine swap (I'm getting older...). Specifically I had changed from the pot coupler to a Borgeson steering U-joint. Long story short, I swapped out the '67 steering rod for a '68 unit. The '67 had a metal clip that electrically connected the top portion of the steering rod to the bottom portion, while the '68 shaft had no clip. I believe therefore that is why the top portion of the new ('68) shaft was not properly grounded. I did note that jumping the horn wire to the retaining clip that holds the bearing at the top of the steering rod, the horn sounded. So, I installed a wire, between two screws that secure the retaining clip for the steering shaft upper bearing, and that rubs against the steering rod. The (rather stiff) wire rubs against the steering rod and secures the ground. I used dielectric grease on the wire/column in that area so it won't wear over time.

I have no doubt there is a better way, but this was expedient, creates a good ground for the horn, doesn't interfere with anything and will be long-lasting.

Brian