Topic: Plastic Tip on Top of Power Antenna
in Forum: C3 Electrical
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Guys, I know this is rather insignificant, but the plastic tip on the top of the power antenna mast, where can I get a replacement that will fit down inside the body mounting when the antenna is retracted? Again, thanks. Chic
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Milwaukie, OR - USA
Joined: 10/19/2015
Posts: 71
Vette(s): '78 Silver Anniversary T Top coupe,58k orig miles.
THM350 auto, 350 L48, JBM headers,Oyster White interior,.as of Nov '15 in process of painting.
I have looked at ALL the aftermarket folks with no luck..
|UPDATED|11/9/2015 11:38:09 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
The 78 power antenna setup was pretty unique..
The black plastic critter that fits thru the LR fender top is a guide ONLY for the antenna and was originally simply inserted from above and stayed in place with a couple of small 'ears'..Didn't attach to the antenna assembly below in any way.
You can possibly fabricate one using a rubber grommet such as fits in the top of the valve cover where the air hose inserts..
The hole needs to be sufficient diameter so the antenna TOP can be pushed thru it and the groove around the bottom wide enough to snap thru the fender and stay put.
Most auto stores have a wide selection of such grommets and they are commonly called PCV grommets.
Find one that has the top recessed down so the antenna when retracted has the end below the car's surface flush with the grommet top...
Measure hole in fender inside diameter and thickness of fiberglas fender top at the hole.
The grommet needs to be able to snap-fit into the hole in the fender.
Such a grommet like those for the Jeeps of older vintage are just about perfect.
If you are handy with files or a dremel, you could make one from a large rubber cork cut down, drilled and then the groove filed on the bottom..but a rubber PCV valve cover grommet selected properly and perhaps slightly modified would be simplest.
Top would be about 3/8" thick and flat with recess like the original was.. A slightly rounded top grommet would look fine..tho not original..
Careful work with a belt sander( grommet top on sander NOT sander on grommet top) will make it flat..
This is one of those small items that short of finding one on a junker vette 78 that had the power antenna and crawling underneath to remove it by pressing the little ears inward..you may never find..
Be creative..Jim
|UPDATED|11/9/2015 11:38:09 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
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Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
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#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Do you see what part you need in this illustration? This is from the GM Parts Manual.
Joel Adams
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Former Member
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Milwaukie, OR - USA
Joined: 10/19/2015
Posts: 71
Vette(s): '78 Silver Anniversary T Top coupe,58k orig miles.
THM350 auto, 350 L48, JBM headers,Oyster White interior,.as of Nov '15 in process of painting.
Adam, That parts blowup isn't for the 82 power antenna..
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/search/PCV+Valve+Grommet/02182/C0023.oap?year=1990&make=Jeep&model=Cherokee&vi=1180000
|UPDATED|11/9/2015 12:11:44 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
anyhow..here's what a close fitup in a PCV rubber grommet would look like..Jim
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/search/PCV+Valve+Grommet/02182/C0023.oap?year=1990&make=Jeep&model=Cherokee&vi=1180000
|UPDATED|11/9/2015 12:11:44 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Uh....he has an '82 car....
There were 3 different designs for the antenna in '78-9. 1st design used a die-cast gearbox housing(used in '78/early '79). 2nd design(mostly '79) had a plastic motor/gearbox housing. The 3rd design also had a plastic motor/gearbox housing, but was a different length. The 3rd design I believe was the service replacement.
The '82 cars would have used the 2nd design antenna.
|UPDATED|11/9/2015 12:17:19 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
There were 3 different designs for the antenna in '78-9. 1st design used a die-cast gearbox housing(used in '78/early '79). 2nd design(mostly '79) had a plastic motor/gearbox housing. The 3rd design also had a plastic motor/gearbox housing, but was a different length. The 3rd design I believe was the service replacement.
The '82 cars would have used the 2nd design antenna.
|UPDATED|11/9/2015 12:17:19 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
Former Member
Send PM
Milwaukie, OR - USA
Joined: 10/19/2015
Posts: 71
Vette(s): '78 Silver Anniversary T Top coupe,58k orig miles.
THM350 auto, 350 L48, JBM headers,Oyster White interior,.as of Nov '15 in process of painting.
Mid America shows this complete chrome assembly ofr a power antenna for the 82..
Looking at the pics, apparently it comes with an assortment of finishing black top caps..some slanted on the bottom etc..
http://www.mamotorworks.com/Corvette/product/power-antenna-1968-1982-chrome-660142-1
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
in Forum: C3 Electrical
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