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Topic: power antenna on 74

in Forum: C3 Body


power antenna on 74

Posted: 6/21/05 8:02am Message 1 of 4
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Canada
Joined: 8/6/2004
Posts: 533
Vette(s): Coupe 74 - 454 Drive it like you stole it!
I keep on seeing power antenna for sale on eBay like this one,
but as far as I know, this was not even offered for 74.
 
I would like to install one on my 74 (actually the one pointed above if it wasn't 25$ to ship ), but I wonder where I would take the power from.  All I have near the antenna is the lights and what I believe is the horn for the alarm (which is already disabled/disconnected somewhere).
 
Anybody has done it ? Where did you take the power from ?  Was it bolt-in or modifications had to be done ?
 
Thanks!



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power antenna on 74

Posted: 6/21/05 11:05am Message 2 of 4
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Portland, TN - USA
Joined: 4/29/2003
Posts: 805
Vette(s): 1972 Coupe Anything, but Stock and more mods to come! SSBC Force 10 Brakes, 3.73, TH350, 355 CID, Rack and Pinion, Vette Brakes suspension front and rear.

Well I have not installed one, but If they are like most you can take 12v from just about anywhere.  There is most likely three wires on the unit.  One for power, One for switched power and one for ground and the antenna wire itself.  The kicker is if the radio has a power antenna lead.  This works as a relay to tell the antenna to go up and down when you turn the radio on.  If you don't have this lead then you would have to install a manual switch otherwise it would just stay up all the time.

If you have never replaced the antenna it is a real bear.  I think I had to take about have my car appart to get it in.  I'm sticking with my solid mast unit.




power antenna on 74

Posted: 6/21/05 11:16am Message 3 of 4
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Frederick, MD - USA
Joined: 9/8/2003
Posts: 3398
Vette(s): 1969 convertible L71 427/435 4-speed black interior
A factory installed power antenna has a relay mounted inside the rear of the console...it controls the antenna's operation. The one on Ebay may or may not be like that, but that's not necessarily bad.

A universal type power antenna could be hooked up direct to the fuse box or even the battery since it's not far from the installation, but install an appropriate fuse in-line. One wire would be power, one wire would connect to the radio power line to send the signal when the radio is off or turned on, or it could be connected to a manual switch in the cockpit. A ground wire would have to be run to the chassis. If you have or intend to install a modern stereo/CD player, virtually all have a wire specifically for a power antenna.

To install the assembly, it would be easier to temporarily remove the left muffler. The factory generally installs a heat shield around the antenna motor due to it's closeness to the exhaust.

If you decide to do it, it's not a tough job, but like most things on a Vette, it can be time-consuming. Both my '69 and my '78 have fixed antennas, and I'm OK with that...simplicity and less to go wrong.


power antenna on 74

Posted: 6/21/05 7:32pm Message 4 of 4
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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/ 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
'74 'Vettes never had a power ant. from the fact. There is more room on it than the other years to get one in & out, but.... snaking the ant. lead thru the rear bulkhead can be a real PITA.
You would have to get power from the radio, or a fused location that is hot with the key on. Make sure you have some kind of 'ground plane', like the one that should be on the ant. now, or it won't work worth a hoot anyway. Adams' Apple38524.817349537


Joel Adams
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