66 Antenna Grommet Installation

[Mark J.]

Is the antenna grommet installed from the interior to the exterior or visa versa? (from the carpet side to the muffler side?). The AIM does not have a good illustration and two of the vendor illustrations show it from the carpet side. It's been several years since I took it out and just can't remember....

MRJ

[Wayne M.]

Re: 66 Antenna Grommet Installation

Good question Mark -- my late '65 had it installed from the back (by the antenna motor) forward into the rear interior of the car. Looked like it had never been replaced (the rubber was very hard and difficult to remove by pushing backwards from the interior. So that's my vote on factory installation

By the way,(on my car) only the big hole in the grommet for the rear electrical harness was opened, and the antenna cable was stuffed through that hole as well (although I suspect the antenna cable has been replaced). So the second hole (visible only from the small end of a virgin factory grommet) which I believe is for the antenna cable (to be pierced only if car has U69) was never opened through to the other side, even though my car has it's original radio with antenna bracket hardware. Bubba at work again ?

[Mark J.]

Thanks Wayne *NM*

[Anthony F.]

Re: 66 Antenna Grommet Installation

The Plant operator who installed the rear tail lights while seated under the rear of the body also installed the rear harness & antenna grommet. I was there and done that. The antenna cable was routed through the smaller grommet hole not with the main harness. There was no requirement as to the orientation of the gromment after installation. I hope this helps.

[Mark J.]

Re: 66 Antenna Grommet Installation

Tony,

I can see the logic of setting the grommet while installing other electrical components under the rear of the car. Great insight, and consistent with what Wayne found on his car.

Thank you.

Mark

[Wayne M.]

Follow up; example of my early '65 coupe

Same orientation of grommet (ie bevel edge inside body, so installed from behind). And the antenna is through the separate hole.

I can forgive the UAW boys on my late convertible (trim tag last day body production = L30) for putting the antenna through the wire harness hole, as they were probably dreaming of a few weeks vacation.