Power antenna
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Power antenna
I have a 1977 with a standard am/fm radio and a standard antenna. I am thinking of changing it to a power antenna so I don't have to keep cutting holes in my covers. Is the wiring already there and will it work on my radio or does it require anything more?. I have tried to remove the mast part from it's base but it seems ceased and won't budge so that is another reason for the change....Thanks in advance.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,680
Likes: 3,134
From: Shamong, NJ
77 Corvettes were not available with a power antenna, so your car has no wiring, or other provisions for one. Even in years available with a power antenna, the wiring was only installed, if the antenna was order.
Besides the antenna, the 78-82 GM Delco power antennas use to come with a new cable, wiring, and a relay to raise and lower the antenna. A new repro of the factory antenna, was recently released. I haven't seen one yet, so I don't know if the new repro comes with the wiring, cable, etc.
If you have an original antenna, you should be able to remove the mast from the antenna body. The 77 antenna is installed using two nuts, the large one that holds the antenna body into the car, and the small one that holds the mast into the antenna body. By unscrewing the small, round antenna nut, the mast should pull out of the antenna body. Of course, after close to 40 years, it may have become corroded and stuck into the antenna body.
You might want to remove the antenna nut, and try some PB Blaster or Liquid Wrench on the base of the mast, before replacing it with a power antenna. I might even be tempted to try using a pair of pliers or vice grips on the mast, since a new one is only around $20.
Besides the antenna, the 78-82 GM Delco power antennas use to come with a new cable, wiring, and a relay to raise and lower the antenna. A new repro of the factory antenna, was recently released. I haven't seen one yet, so I don't know if the new repro comes with the wiring, cable, etc.
If you have an original antenna, you should be able to remove the mast from the antenna body. The 77 antenna is installed using two nuts, the large one that holds the antenna body into the car, and the small one that holds the mast into the antenna body. By unscrewing the small, round antenna nut, the mast should pull out of the antenna body. Of course, after close to 40 years, it may have become corroded and stuck into the antenna body.
You might want to remove the antenna nut, and try some PB Blaster or Liquid Wrench on the base of the mast, before replacing it with a power antenna. I might even be tempted to try using a pair of pliers or vice grips on the mast, since a new one is only around $20.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 410
Likes: 45
From: Wisconsin Rapids wisconsin
I just installed a new power antenna on my 76. I am using it with a retrosound radio. The new power antenna come with a new cable and all the wiring needed to hook it up. Like gbvette said the 77s original radio didn't come with power antenna but you could hook it up to come on with the ignition.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 943
Likes: 73
Street rodders have been using hidden antennas for decades, they work very well.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
My 1980 came with a power antenna from the factory and had a replacement unit (which didn't work) in it when I got the vette . I replaced the unit with a new original style, which was expensive for an antenna. That unit only lasted a year or so and it quit. Out of frustration, I switched to a manual antenna which wasn't so easy because the aftermarket parts didn't fit correctly with the 80. Regardless, to fit the cover on, I just unscrew the mast. I bought a couple of extra fasteners for when the nut gets lost. No more problems with the silly antenna anymore.
Street rodders have been using hidden antennas for decades, they work very well.
Street rodders have been using hidden antennas for decades, they work very well.
Cruising
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Grande Prairie Alberta
I have an 81 that has an aftermarket stereo in it. it doesn't have provisions to power up the antenna when turn on. I would like to use a power antenna but not sure how to activate it when I want to use it. also I need a new antenna as it looks as thought this one is not functioning. it blows the fuse every time I try to connect the wires which were cut under the rear fender.
Any suggestions out there?
Any suggestions out there?
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