I just got my 67 coupe out of storage. I have had the radio rebuilt but it still gets poor reception. I suspect the antenna (non-power) needs replacement or the wire.

How difficult is the antenna/wire replacement?

TIA, Joe

 

It depends on if you have the spare tire hanging back there and under car exhaust. I have neither, and it was very easy to get my antenna out. I didn't mess with the wire but I think it would also be easy. Since my car is modded, I got an electric "flush" mount antenna because someone broke the oem one and I didn't want that to happen again.

 

But even with the spare tire hanger in place, it is not hard as long as you don't have under car exhaust. If you do, you really need to drop the pipes to access the antenna. Replacing the cable is just the job of disconnecting at both ends and routing the new one according to the AIM..
Don

 

I went thru the same thing on my '67 vert. ('67's a problem for some reason???) Finally had the antennae wire radio to mast replaced. Had it done by a local shop, about 1 1/2 hr. job. Problem solved. They first hooked up a simple plug in antennae to varify that the antennae wire was the problem. Could have had such an antennae hidden in the dash to save $$$ but wanted to do it right and assure best radio reception. All works fine now. Vetterway

 

Other issues to concider, besides the wire are , proper grounding at rear by antenna, ground plate to frame, capacitors, if you are talking about an original radio, antenna height.

 

I have side pipes and a spare mounted with the fiberglass cover. I was wondering how big of a job it is routing the wire through? Could I tape the end of the new wire to the end of the old one & pull both through at the same time or are there hold downs?

Thanks, Joe

 

Joe,
No, you would never be able to pull it though. It runs under the door sill and under the carpet support to the back with the rear wiring harness and though a grommet that you can see if you look under the drivers wheel well. Do you have an assembly manual?
Don

 

Don, yes I have an assembly manual, I just have to find it. I know that it is here..... someplace!

 

Yeah, that shows the routing exactly. If you can't find it let me know and I can scan the page but it is a 65 AIM. ( probably identical)
Don

 

I replaced the antenna wire and antenna body two weeks ago on my 67. Removed the LF kick panel, left side sill plate, left side metal strip that covers the antenna and lighting cable to the rear. Pulled back the carpeting over the wheel well to expose the antenna wire and body grommet on the left rear. I cut the old antenna cable in pieces and removed it from the car.

I will not go through the installation of the antenna cable in the cockpit but I was able to replace the cable without removing the tire carrier or exhaust system. Actually it was quite easy. I removed the hood from the new antenna cable, sprayed some silicone lube on the end of the cable and fed it through the grommet. I pushed enough cable through the grommet so that it dangled down between the muffler and the edge on the fender quarter panel. I then re-installed the hood and attached the end of the hooded end of the cable to the new antenna body. At this point the end of the antenna cable was dangling down between the muffler and the LR quarter panel. I then threaded a 1/4-20 screw into the antenna body. While under the car, with a small length of dowel, I held the grounding plate in the correct position up against the top inside of the fender. My assistant then dropped a long piece of twine down through the antenna opening (from the top side of the car). I attached the twine to the 1/4-20 bolt and then, while I was holding the ground plate in place, she pulled the antenna cable up into the receiving hole in the grounding plant, then up through the hole in the fiberglass. From the top of the car I twisted the antenna body a slight amount until it aligned and popped into place. While still holding the antenna body in place with the string from the top side of the car I threaded on the antenna base to the antenna body, and then the antenna mast itself.

Total project time from start to finish, about two hours. You do not have to remove the exhaust system or spare tire carrier. I actually found this a lot easier than I thought it was going to be. Your mileage may vary