1980 Antenna removal/refurb/replacement
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
1980 Antenna removal/refurb/replacement
Hi All,
Been away from the Vette scene for a little while but am now back. Picked up a 1980 earlier today! willl post pics as soon as the rain stops and the camera is charged.
So first question.
I need to store the car outside for a month or two whilst our new house is built. She will be under a cover but....
The power antenna is stuck in the up position.
I need to remove it, refurb it if possible and refit it.
If I cant refurb it I need to get an aftermarket unit.
So any tips on removal/refurb/replacement on a stock 80?
I have the AIM and shop manual on order so can look at that but with the rain, Id rather not cut a hole in my cover.
If I cante refurb it, any part #s of units that will be a pretty much direct fit?
Really appreciate any tips.
Been away from the Vette scene for a little while but am now back. Picked up a 1980 earlier today! willl post pics as soon as the rain stops and the camera is charged.
So first question.
I need to store the car outside for a month or two whilst our new house is built. She will be under a cover but....
The power antenna is stuck in the up position.
I need to remove it, refurb it if possible and refit it.
If I cant refurb it I need to get an aftermarket unit.
So any tips on removal/refurb/replacement on a stock 80?
I have the AIM and shop manual on order so can look at that but with the rain, Id rather not cut a hole in my cover.
If I cante refurb it, any part #s of units that will be a pretty much direct fit?
Really appreciate any tips.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,666
Likes: 1
From: Where it's always hot as Hell-South Louisiana.
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
Some of the vendors here have a 'repair kit' for ~$30 . But take yours off the car first and see if it is repairable. It gets its up/down power from the radio, you may not be getting power to it.
If you find the power wires cut/disconnected at the antenna, or the fuse pulled, it may be the unit remained running and a repair kit should do it.
The unit is easy to disasseble with permanent clamps (once u remove it from the car), cut them off and use small screws in their place once repaired.
Not a hard job, takes a couple hours (with or without beer).
If you find the power wires cut/disconnected at the antenna, or the fuse pulled, it may be the unit remained running and a repair kit should do it.
The unit is easy to disasseble with permanent clamps (once u remove it from the car), cut them off and use small screws in their place once repaired.
Not a hard job, takes a couple hours (with or without beer).
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Being as our cars are plastic, you really dont NEED a traditional radio antenna, as on a steel body car....just take the center wire that would go the mast, and put a long length of wire off it, worked fine for me for years, previous owners on my car had dropped the antenna down outta the body but kept it hooked up......I cut it off and did the wire trick, worked as good as the antenna.....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,503
Likes: 33
From: McGrady NC
St. Jude Donor '15-'16
I had a similar problem ,but Bubba had replaced the original power unit with an aftermarket. It works fine but the original is flush with the rear fender when down but the aftermarket one sticks up due to the taller cap/nut/trim/whatever it's called. I found an original one from another '80 that needed a mast kit. After acquiring the kit I discovered that is not the walk in the park to install as I was led to believe. That's why it is still propped up on the back of my workbench waiting for me to get a fresh dose of patience before I try it again. The kit absolutely does not work with my antenna without significant modification and, once the two halves of the motor body/cover are separated they refuse to go back together. I'll try again some day. Until then, Bubba's antenna works ok. Just not original-looking.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,503
Likes: 33
From: McGrady NC
St. Jude Donor '15-'16
Other than a special tool or small curved end needle nose pliers to remove the bezel on top (and it could be stubborn), the rest is just nuts and bolts stuff under the fender.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,056
Likes: 8
From: Redruth Cornwall
1st Gear
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
i have a new 1980 original remade power antenna and i have found the top nut and gasket in the package but it does not screw into the top of the mast it fits inside what am i missing that it screws into i do not have the original power antenna it had a cheep replacement i ordered a remake of the original and the original crome nut with the gasket the problem is it wont screw into the top of the antenna it will slip inside it what is missing
Last edited by gregory dean; Dec 28, 2014 at 07:15 AM. Reason: reply
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,206
Likes: 365
From: The Motor City
You will not regret going for the repair-kit option. It is cheaper, much better than the aftermarket antennas, and a chance to re-grease the gears while the patient is open on the table. The kit comes with step-by-step instructions. I also posted my insights on the forum (mine is an '82) last Fall. You'll drill out the five or six rivets - just replace them with stainless bolts/nuts. It is a satisfying DIY repair.