Did some research today in response to a WTB in the members' classifieds and found some info that may be useful (or maybe not). The horn relay for '72 Chevelle is getting harder to find these days. I looked up that relay on several sites that sell parts and here is what I found:
AC/Delco Pn D1735 (aka 12339252) is listed at Rock Auto for $11.06 each.
Niehoff DR168L is listed ($9) at my local Checker, but is not available now.
Standard Motor Products HR147 is listed on the Checker online store ($10) and it looks like they may have them. The local Checker says that is not currently available either. So, I ordered a couple from Rock. EDIT:I looked at GM Parts Direct and they have it for $11.06, too. If anyone has any other alternate part numbers and brands, please add them to this post.

Lectriclimited carries one that will fit but to me it's a Vette relay. Close to $60.00 if I remember right. Too pricey for most daily driver guys.
http://www.lectriclimited.com/

Standard Motor Products HR147 is listed on the Checker online store ($10) and it looks like they may have them. The local Checker says that is not currently available either.
If anyone has any other alternate part numbers and brands, please add them to this post.

This is the response I received from Checker's after I placed an order for a Standard Motor HR147 relay...

Dear Bill,

We are happy to inform you that we have found a replacement for one of your products that is currently unavailable. Because of unexpected supply problems, the Standard Motor Products product you originally ordered is unavailable and we would like to send you a Borg Warner product in its place.

Below are the original item(s) and the substitute item(s) that we are sending at no additional charge. If the substitute item has a different warranty, PartsAmerica.com will honor the greater warranty.

Manufacturer Part # Description
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Old Standard Motor Pr HR147 PRODUCT
New Borg Warner R244 Relay

We will ship the Borg Warner product to you as quickly as possible. If this is unacceptable, please contact Customer Service. We apologize for any inconvenience this change may cause.

Thank you again for choosing PartsAmerica.com. We appreciate your business!

Thanks, Bill . We will add the Borg Warner number to the list of candidates.

Thanks, Bill . We will add the Borg Warner number to the list of candidates.
Not so quick, JW! Received this email from Checker's late yesterday... :mad:

Dear Bill,

We are sorry to inform you that the following portion of your order currently cannot be filled:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
QTY Part# Description Unit Price Total Price
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 BORR244 Relay
$9.59 $9.59
1 SMPHR147 PRODUCT $9.59 $9.59
================================================== ======================

We have checked multiple sources for this item, but unfortunately cannot fill this portion of your order. Most likely, the item is out of stock or discontinued. The item may be available in the future, but we cannot promise it at this time. It is possible that we can order a substitute part through a different manufacturer. If you would like us to check for a substitution please let us know. You can contact us by e-mail or toll free at 877-808-0698. In the meantime, we will deduct the cost of the unavailable item and ship the remainder of your order immediately. If none of the items you selected are available, your full order will be cancelled and no charge will be made to your account.
If you would like to contact us directly please feel free to either send us an email (status@partsamerica.com) or give us a call at 1-877-808-0698. Our call center is open 7AM-830PM M-F & 9-2 Sat-Sun.
Once again, we apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. We appreciate your choosing PartsAmerica.com as your fastlane to automotive expertise.


I do have one ordered from GMPartsDirect using the part number 12339252 you've listed above. We'll see if that one actually makes delivery.
The saga continues...

Some more searching turns up a KEM HR38 for $5.76 at Auto Parts Giant.com. Seems like lots of places show the Delco D1735 so it will be interesting to see if it is really the correct item, since the Delco web site shows a photo of a relay that is nowhere close to the original. Got some on order from Rock Auto and the tracking info says they got to Phoenix on Thursday. So the suspense will build until Fedex gets them here. (I hope)
EDIT: Of course, if all else fails a trip to the local dealer, searching for the delco D1735 would be in order.

The Delco D1735 is the one listed on the AC Delco site and I just got 2 of them from Rock Auto. No way. They have the wrong number of terminals and no junction stud and no paperwork advising me how to utilize this overpriced paperweight. Cross that one off the list. Too bad that GM does not know what parts fit their cars.

...Delco Remy knew what fit because they BUILT it!
AC Division knew what fit because they also BUILT it.
AC/Delco does not build ANYTHING....they just sell parts.:(

...and how could I forget...Rochester Products!

@#@&#$!!...I miss the ..."not so old" days.

How much of a demand is there for this relay?
Wondering how many would have to be ordered to get someone (Standard etc.)to build them.

I need one!!!

D1775 is the Delco # thats in my 1985 catalog.GM#3996283
Both interchange to HR147 Standard and R244 BW.
Unfortunately....they come up as discontinued in my employers(Uniselect/Mawdi) computer database.

Have not given up yet. Found the KEM HR38 relay at a site called Auto parts Giant.com. And the photo looks correct and the price is under $6 each. Got to wait a week to find out what they really have. And what I might get.

I am a 66 guy ill admit. So I am not the most familiar with this as I have never really looked that close at one on 72s before. Can someone post a picture of one? I know what a horn relay looks like, but not really sure why 72 is different.

I know how hard it is to find a replacement horn relay so
I actually repaired the one in my '72 bu. The bracket holding it to the firewall was also broken and I repaired that as well but thats a separate story. Make sure you DISCONNECT THE POSITIVE TERMINAL FROM THE BATTERY BEFORE REMOVING THAT RELAY! The junction stud is at 12 volts from the battery and will make lots of fireworks if it touches that frame, body or anything else that is grounded. Ask me how I know this! :o

You can check the condition of the relay coil with a simple ohmmeter. As I dont have one in front of me, I can't say for sure which terminals are the ones for the coil. I will try to get a pic or two along with the hookup info unless someone out there has it handy. I am at work and none of my stuff is here. If the coil checks out as good (reads something like 80 to 200 or something low on the OHMS scale. If it reads OL (digital) or doesnt move the
needle at all (analog meter) it is open and would need to be rewound or replaced.

Dont have any photos handy but a lot of times, the only thing wrong with relays is the contacts have worn down inside and just need a little adjustment by bending the stationary contact mounting arm. Those are the little round thingies attached to the moveable relay arm and the stationary contact arm. YOu just have to carefully pry the little metal tabs that hold the relay cover on to get to these goodies. Just be sure top mark which wires go where on the relay and when you remove the cover, GO SLOWLY. There are very fine wires in there that you dont want to mess up. You can also burnish the contacts with a VERY FINE fingernail file or emery board. Just a little is all you need. you can check the operation by applying 12 volts across the coil and watching the relay work and putting the ohmmeter probes on the normally open relay terminals. The meter should get very close to zero ohms if the contacts are doing their job... before you put the cover back on, install the wires in their proper place and test it. If it now works, you are done. Put it all back together and honk away! If not repeat the adjustment process. Just be aware that there is exposed electrical parts and can make lot of sparks very close to the carburetor. That would not be good so be careful.
Sorry this is so long but hope it might help

Dave

Are you guys just trying to stay original, or is there some reason you could not use a different relay? I would think a relay is a relay (within similar specs of course), and while a little splicing might be in order, but functionality could be restored.

Of course, for restro purposes, originality counts.

The relay for the '72 is odd because it has a threaded post that is used as the junction blocl and is the source of power for the relay. With that, there are only 2 wires from the harness that connect to the relay. So, to use another type, one would need to provide a junction block and modify the wiring harness a bit.

Well, you can scratch GM p/n 12339252 off the list. It arrived today...$20 worth of the wrong part. Not even close. :sad:
Actually looks the same as the AC Delco D1735.
The quest continues... :(
JW...looks like the KEM HR38 may be our only hope.

I show the old GM number was 6273328 changed to 3996283.
Buick Farm Nos Buick parts shows 7 of the 6273328 relays in stock
for $23 ea. They have them listed for 73 Skylark.
here is a link to the web site
http://buickfarm.com/

This is their photo of the part
https://commerce.infoage.us/BuickFarm/Upload/Pictures/1124200501656-Picture.JPG

Thanks for the info Shooter!! :cool:
Looks like the same as a Chevelle...a little pricey but I ordered one this AM. :thumbsup:

5 left now
$25.00 + $8.00 shipping.

Yeah, looks like it has a much stronger mounting bracket also. Not that plastic thing attached to the original. Thats what broke on mine.

5 left now
$25.00 + $8.00 shipping.

That's been the problem Dean. All previous sources dry up as someone finds them. Almost impossible to find any functional ones at the junkyard anymore.

Success!!!
Arrived today from the Buick Farm ...in a NOS box. :eek:
Told them it was for a '73 Skylark...$23 plus $7 S&H
You da' man...Thanks Shooter! :thumbsup:

Great..
The last five seem to have been sold real fast. I hope they went to the needy and not the greedy.....and show up on E-bay to be sold at 3X the price...

Rene
66_Malibu

Great..
The last five seem to have been sold real fast. I hope they went to the needy and not the greedy.....and show up on E-bay to be sold at 3X the price...

Rene
66_Malibu

Wouldn't be the first time a posted source was dried up quickly. When RiskyVT (Greg) found some a while back that source died quick after the address was posted.

Wanna buy one?
$50.00 + $16.00 shipping.

Just kidding, I bought it for my friend's 72.

Great..
The last five seem to have been sold real fast. I hope they went to the needy and not the greedy.....and show up on E-bay to be sold at 3X the price...
Exactly!! :(
I must add...quick delivery too. Ordered online last Sunday. Sitting at my doorstep this afternoon via USPS from Delaware.

I got a couple on order from an online parts place and expect some kind of results in the next few days.

I took the time to email Rock auto to tell them that the application data (D1735 for '72 Chevelle) is wrong and got a response from a real person. They will look into removing that application from their catalog so we will not get to order the wrong part again. Of course they offered to take back the parts, but I thought that it would be more trouble than benefit.
On another note, I have not yet gotten the KEM relays from Auto Parts Giant and it has been ten days ; it may be time to email them and find out what is up.

Electric Limited does have a 72 horn relay, doesn't have the plastic mounting but will work. It's not cheep.

Today I got an email from Auto Parts Giant telling me that my order for the KEM relays is cancelled. I guess they could not find those. So, if you see a relay for a '72, grab it.

Today I got an email from Auto Parts Giant telling me that my order for the KEM relays is cancelled. I guess they could not find those. So, if you see a relay for a '72, grab it.

Yeah Jeff but they are getting tough to find. A good quantity of the ones I yank are no good. Still I try to help TC if I can.

Some of the old farm tractors used car parts in their electrical systems. The parts' prices can be quite reasonable. Surprising where you find stuff. Delco voltage regulators were commonly used on tractors.

http://www.collectorsautosupply.com/
6273328/3996283
kinda pricey...but claim they have lots of them.