my mast is at halfmast and I can't get up
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
Member Since: Jun 2001
Location: New Bern NC
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
my mast is at halfmast and I can't get up
my antenna mast is broken (66 power ant mast :rolleyes: ) is there a replacement mast without having to get the whole thing???? Is this a pain in the footy :p: :p: to replace..any tricks....it all works but looks really bad....thanks :chevy Poortom
#2
Melting Slicks
Member Since: Aug 2000
Location: The Garden Spot of the Garden State
Posts: 3,077
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
Re: my mast is at halfmast and I can't get up (poortom)
...if your metal mast is not broken, then read on...don't know of any source of masts, if that's the problem so you may be SOOL....
...if the metal mast is OK, completely disassemble the motor unit and you will see the culprit is a broken polyethylene core rod that accuates the mast....it wraps around a black plastic spool...remove the broken end from the spool by pulling that TINY cotter pin....polyethylene is thermoplastic which means it can be reheated and re-worked....take the plastic rod and heat BOTH ends simultaneously over a propane torch and once they ingnite, join them, blow out the flame and hold for a minute or so...once thoroughly cool, file down the resulting bump on the rod to clear the mechanism and put that puppy back together...you will get grease over EVERYWHERE putting that back together......the factory originals are essentially the same procedure but the "core" is a metal wire which requires brazing
good luck :D
[Modified by Kid_Again, 1:44 PM 9/3/2001]
[Modified by Kid_Again, 1:45 PM 9/3/2001]
...if the metal mast is OK, completely disassemble the motor unit and you will see the culprit is a broken polyethylene core rod that accuates the mast....it wraps around a black plastic spool...remove the broken end from the spool by pulling that TINY cotter pin....polyethylene is thermoplastic which means it can be reheated and re-worked....take the plastic rod and heat BOTH ends simultaneously over a propane torch and once they ingnite, join them, blow out the flame and hold for a minute or so...once thoroughly cool, file down the resulting bump on the rod to clear the mechanism and put that puppy back together...you will get grease over EVERYWHERE putting that back together......the factory originals are essentially the same procedure but the "core" is a metal wire which requires brazing
good luck :D
[Modified by Kid_Again, 1:44 PM 9/3/2001]
[Modified by Kid_Again, 1:45 PM 9/3/2001]
#3
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Nov 2000
Location: Going too fast over the hill. Iowa
Posts: 7,246
Likes: 0
Received 18 Likes
on
16 Posts
Re: my mast is at halfmast and I can't get up (poortom)
An original 66 Corvette drive cable does not have the plastic core. The drive is a steel cable with a steel spring wrapped around it. It is held by the antenna top section and a lead lock at the other end. Your note sounds like the drive is ok and the mast is broken. Is that the case? I wrote an article for the NCRS Restorer on antenna repairs for a 66. I have some parts for a midyear power antenna - motor, case, a couple of mast sections.
Replacement power antennas are available in the catalogs. The work fine. but will not pass NCRS judging. If you don't care about that, put one in, or you can do what I did: I put in a $20 power antenna from JCWhitney. My rebuilt original is bagged and stored. The replacement collapses completely into the fender, but requires a different switch at the dash. A Corvette antenna uses 2 power lines and a ground (to the frame). One power line takes it up, the other takes it down (the dash switch controls power). Cheap replacements use only the two wires - the switch that comes with them reverses the current in both wires to change directions. I use a second Corvette headlamp switch to do it - so it looks perfect. I long ago displaced the Corvette antenna switch for an auxiliary headlamp switch and loud turn signal alarm switch.
Replacement power antennas are available in the catalogs. The work fine. but will not pass NCRS judging. If you don't care about that, put one in, or you can do what I did: I put in a $20 power antenna from JCWhitney. My rebuilt original is bagged and stored. The replacement collapses completely into the fender, but requires a different switch at the dash. A Corvette antenna uses 2 power lines and a ground (to the frame). One power line takes it up, the other takes it down (the dash switch controls power). Cheap replacements use only the two wires - the switch that comes with them reverses the current in both wires to change directions. I use a second Corvette headlamp switch to do it - so it looks perfect. I long ago displaced the Corvette antenna switch for an auxiliary headlamp switch and loud turn signal alarm switch.
#4
Instructor
Thread Starter
Member Since: Jun 2001
Location: New Bern NC
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: my mast is at halfmast and I can't get up (magicmachines)
Magic this sounds more like what I need...my moter and cable is good but metal mast hopeless....thought about a JC Whit....have temp put in cheapie solid mast ..but it will get broke..People like to snap them for giggles I guess ..If you would wanna part with one of the masts or a whole unit E me and let me know....some people can't stand a great machine thanks for the help...and to Kid... Poortom 66 427/425 :chevy :chevy
#5
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Nov 2000
Location: Going too fast over the hill. Iowa
Posts: 7,246
Likes: 0
Received 18 Likes
on
16 Posts
Re: my mast is at halfmast and I can't get up (poortom)
I just looked in the garage, and I have the lowest two mast sections for a 66 antenna - not the whole thing. I got a broken (top two sections bent) antenna at a swap meet. I took the drive cable out of it for the one in my car. All that is left are the bottom two sections and the motor and case.
If your mast is broken BELOW THE TOP TWO SECTIONS, you need to be able to take it apart carefully to replace the lower sections - but it will be possible to pull the drive cable through the broken sections and repair the damege
If your mast is broken BELOW THE TOP TWO SECTIONS, you need to be able to take it apart carefully to replace the lower sections - but it will be possible to pull the drive cable through the broken sections and repair the damege
#6
Instructor
Thread Starter
Member Since: Jun 2001
Location: New Bern NC
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: my mast is at halfmast and I can't get up (magicmachines)
The tops are broken...will need to replace all..they hit bottem looks like to knock whole antenna off when it wouldn't let go they bent the top section ove :rolleyes: :rolleyes: ...so that won't help guess I'll have to go the JC way...and so it goes...thankxxx poortom