82 Power Antenna Options - Replace or Fix

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Jul 21, 2018 | 10:54 AM

demunn

Thread Starter

8th Gear

Joined: Jul 2018

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82 Power Antenna Options - Replace or Fix

I have an 82 Collector's Edition vette with ~8K miles that we just pulled out storage for many years. After a few trips of a couple hundred miles this summer it runs well but, not shocking, I suspect the nylon became brittle over 36 six years because the motor continued running after shut off.

I'm new to the forum and have pored through lots of articles and talked to someone at Ecklers. These look like the options available:

1) Replace with an aftermarket that Ecklers recommends but it's more of a universal corvette antenna: https://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corv...1963-1989.html

My concern here is it seems there is some question as to the wiring. They sent me an instruction manual but it's not clear whether I can wire this into the existing relay or if it needs to go

2) Repair it with a fix kit but I haven't seen these available specifically for corvette (at least not on Ecklers) - Any ieas where to get one?

I don't mind trying this because my mast and motor are in as mint condition as can be expected. However, the repair look to me like fixing pull starts on lawn mower engines - Not sure I have the time and patience unless this is really pretty simple.

Any thoughts and/or experiences would be greatly appreciated.

D

Jul 21, 2018 | 01:17 PM

jbonness

Heel & Toe

Joined: Nov 2000

Posts: 23

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From: Grandview MO

I did the plastic cable replacement a few years ago, it was not difficult, similar to winding a spring. I had a more difficult time getting it out of the car, and sorting out the prior owner wiring mess. For $35 or so for the part, give it a try.

Jul 21, 2018 | 01:21 PM

Buccaneer

Safety Car

Joined: Nov 2005

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From: Arizona - If you don’t know CFI, STOP proliferating the myths around it...

If the antenna does not go up or down anymore and you can hear the motor, it's probably a broken cable. Replace it and be happy again. Like mentioned, not that hard to replace. Do you have the factory CB as well?

Last edited by Buccaneer; Jul 21, 2018 at 01:21 PM.

Jul 21, 2018 | 01:37 PM

demunn

Thread Starter

8th Gear

Joined: Jul 2018

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Thanks for the replies, are the nylon replacement kits still around? Where do you find them? I do not have the factory CB. I've taken it loose from the body and disconnected the relay cable, shouldnt be bad to get the cable out

Last edited by demunn; Jul 21, 2018 at 01:40 PM.

Jul 21, 2018 | 02:56 PM

KapsSA

Safety Car

Joined: Jun 2004

Posts: 4,371

Likes: 223

From: Beecher Illinois

http://theantennasource.com/CHEVROLE...79-1982.html#2

I bought about 25 from them over the years.
(use to be AntennamastsRus)

Last edited by KapsSA; Jul 21, 2018 at 03:05 PM.

Jul 21, 2018 | 02:59 PM

KapsSA

Safety Car

Joined: Jun 2004

Posts: 4,371

Likes: 223

From: Beecher Illinois

Quote:

Originally Posted by demunn

There is a plug in connector inside the body behind the rear speaker if you don't want to cut and splice.
The black plastic motor housing needs to be split.
Remove the clips and rivets including the one in the middle.
You don't need to wind the cable around the spool, just reassemble with the mast extended.

Last edited by KapsSA; Jul 21, 2018 at 03:02 PM.

Jul 21, 2018 | 04:41 PM

terry82

Le Mans Master

Joined: Jul 2000

Posts: 6,664

Likes: 162

From: columbia city in

lots of people like to fix these antennas .I don't .they break again .I left my broken one down.unpluged .but I did go do a hidden one .https://www.walmart.com/c/kp/hidden-car-antennas