power antenna for 1978 Corvette
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Lancsaster Pa
power antenna for 1978 Corvette
I recently purchased a 78 Corvette. I'm new to the Forum and to the Corvette world, so please excuse me if my question seems uninformed.
My power antenna unit wasn't working, so I replaced the nylon cable and had the brushes(which were pretty bad) in the motor replaced. Unfortunately, the antenna does not cycle properly, eventhough the motor runs very smoothly now. The problem seems to be in the gears. Does anyone have any experience with these units? I have one of the new replacement units, but prefer to use the original if possible, expecially because I have already made an investment in repairing the original and the wiring would be easier, basically reconnecting three color coded wires according to how I removed them.
Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks,
Alan "soleman"
My power antenna unit wasn't working, so I replaced the nylon cable and had the brushes(which were pretty bad) in the motor replaced. Unfortunately, the antenna does not cycle properly, eventhough the motor runs very smoothly now. The problem seems to be in the gears. Does anyone have any experience with these units? I have one of the new replacement units, but prefer to use the original if possible, expecially because I have already made an investment in repairing the original and the wiring would be easier, basically reconnecting three color coded wires according to how I removed them.
Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks,
Alan "soleman"
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 7
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From: Lancsaster Pa
Re: power antenna for 1978 Corvette (Scott78)
Scott,
I just want to thank you and everyoe else who "welcomed" me to the list. I am certain that I'll be seeking more help in the future regarding the A/C, cruise, anti-theft system. It seems that whoever had the car before me had a knack for disconnecting wires!! :banghead:
BTW, my car is a black 78 with red interior, spoiler and ground package, L48, auto and power. It's a great car and I'm really enjoying it!
Thanks again,
Alan
I just want to thank you and everyoe else who "welcomed" me to the list. I am certain that I'll be seeking more help in the future regarding the A/C, cruise, anti-theft system. It seems that whoever had the car before me had a knack for disconnecting wires!! :banghead:
BTW, my car is a black 78 with red interior, spoiler and ground package, L48, auto and power. It's a great car and I'm really enjoying it!
Thanks again,
Alan
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,720
Likes: 19
From: Manhattan Beach Ca
Re: power antenna for 1978 Corvette (szoleman)
I just finished working on my power antenna aftermarket made by Harada(mx-4). My nylon toothed chord had broken so I melted the two pieces back together and it works fine now. The 78 used OEM which can be replaced but most replacements are made by Harada which just went out of business. SO..
if you cant get yours working make sure to get one quick or else they will not be any. Even Ecklers doesn't carry anymore. 69 never had OEM power antenna. My .02
if you cant get yours working make sure to get one quick or else they will not be any. Even Ecklers doesn't carry anymore. 69 never had OEM power antenna. My .02
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,426
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From: San Diego, CA Website: ChrisMitchell.us
Re: power antenna for 1978 Corvette (szoleman)
It seems that whoever had the car before me had a knack for disconnecting wires!! :banghead:
Welcome :seeya
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Lake Villa IL
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Contributor
Re: power antenna for 1978 Corvette (szoleman)
Do we Corvette people have to use the stock antennas? Can't we put in a replacement? Or is there something that prevents this? I'd like to make the upgrade.
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Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Lancsaster Pa
Re: power antenna for 1978 Corvette (joeveto)
I have an aftermarket antenna also, but the wiring is different. The original has 3 wires: grey and white for up/down and green for ground. The aftermarket one has 2 wires, red and black, basically a + an -. With the "new one", I assume that I have to bypass the relay and do alot of extra wiring, which I 'd like to avoid, if I can. The other aspect is that the new one is a diffeerent size and doesn't "drop in". But, I realize that the luxury of an original replacement may be a thing of the past, so I may have no choice but to use the new one. Any suggestions about the wiring-can I attach the red and the black to the 2 wires that lead into the antenna relay or do I need to take the wiring to the back of the radio?
Thanks,
Alan :cheers:
Thanks,
Alan :cheers:
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 7
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From: Lancsaster Pa
Re: power antenna for 1978 Corvette (Surfer69)
My next stop is Corvette World. As far as I know, they may still have origianl replacements.
[Modified by szoleman, 6:52 PM 4/20/2003]
[Modified by szoleman, 6:52 PM 4/20/2003]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 5,768
Likes: 3
From: San Diego CA
Re: power antenna for 1978 Corvette (szoleman)
I recently purchased a 78 Corvette. I'm new to the Forum and to the Corvette world, so please excuse me if my question seems uninformed.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,236
Likes: 898
From: Myrtle Beach SC
Re: power antenna for 1978 Corvette (szoleman)
Well Szoleman...I applaud you for your effort to keep it stock. You also see the challenges in keeping it as such. When my 78 power antenna went...I sent it off to a place to have the original rebuilt. Sounds like you are pretty mechanical if you've took the motor apart and got it working. Can't you change out the gears?
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 7
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From: Lancsaster Pa
Re: power antenna for 1978 Corvette (hunt4cleanair)
I'm a "tinkerer" at heart and figure if something is broken the worst that can happen if I take it apart is that I may get lucky and fix it! Where did you send your antenna? I brought mine to a starter/alternator shop and had the brushes replaced, but I have no clue about the gears and the switching mechanism. What's weird about this situation is that everything works in reverse and doesn't cycle all the way through. I've removed the gears and repositioned them, but had no luck. If you know a place that can repair it, that would be great. If not, I'll get in touch with Corvette World here in Pa and see if they have one available(it is listed in their catalog).
;)
[Modified by szoleman, 10:05 PM 4/19/2003]
[Modified by szoleman, 10:05 PM 4/19/2003]
[Modified by szoleman, 10:07 PM 4/19/2003]
Well Szoleman...I applaud you for your effort to keep it stock. You also see the challenges in keeping it as such. When my 78 power antenna went...I sent it off to a place to have the original rebuilt. Sounds like you are pretty mechanical if you've took the motor apart and got it working. Can't you change out the gears?
[Modified by szoleman, 10:05 PM 4/19/2003]
[Modified by szoleman, 10:05 PM 4/19/2003]
[Modified by szoleman, 10:07 PM 4/19/2003]
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Buckeye, AZ
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
Re: power antenna for 1978 Corvette (szoleman)
A "GM" replacement is still available. It is not orginal first design, but a decent repalcement, and one member in our club has changed his and claimed it was wirie comaptable. The only thing I didn't like about it was that it is slightly longer.
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 7
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From: Lancsaster Pa
Re: power antenna for 1978 Corvette (gliot1)
A "GM" replacement is still available. It is not orginal first design, but a decent repalcement, and one member in our club has changed his and claimed it was wirie comaptable. The only thing I didn't like about it was that it is slightly longer.
I'll post again when I get the unit "in hand".
Thanks again to every one who responded.
Alan
:cheers:
