66 power antennae

[Bill Lucia]

Hi, does anyone have experience with power antennaes on mid-years (66)? Mine works fine but does not retract all the way down. It is still sealed in a brown translucent material. Is anyone repairing these / selling originals?

thanks

Bill #8620

[chris burbage #34073]

Re: 66 power antennae

How far down are they supposed to go? My 65 retracts down to the last section but not flush with the body.

Chris

[Dave - NCRS#24235]

Re: 66 power antennae

I rebuilt the one on my 66 to look and run like new. There is an article pending in the summer 2000 Restorer magazine. I can Email it to you if you wish, but it is a large Word97 document due to photographs. I also have broken it down into two parts for Emailing - let me know.

If it's the top section that is jammed in the second section (common problem), get a good grip on the second section with rubber gloves (or some such item) and twist the hex head of the top clockwise with a 1/4 inch drive socket. The reason for this is that the drive cable is stranded to compress (to a smaller diameter) when twisted clocwise at the top. If that does it, oil the hell out of it, until oil runs out of the case onto the floor. If that doesn't do it, you will have to cut the plastic and remove the cover to access the cable - as stated in the above mentioned article. - Dave Wrzesinski

[Dave - NCRS#24235]

That's correct.

[Robert C.]

Re: 66 power antennae

Bill, In the last Driveline there was a guy doing electric antenae repair and replacement. Originals are VERY expensive.


Texas Chapter NCRS

[Bill Lucia]

Re: 66 power antennae

Chris, Dave & Bob: thanks for the information. I'll give those things a try. I'd also like to get the Word document if possible. Feel free to e-mail it when you get a chance. bill.lucia@phs.com

My understanding is that the 65-66 antennae should come down to about 13 inches when fully retracted. I think that's what the judging manual states. I don't have it on hand so I'll have to check. Thanks again.

regards

Bill #8620

[Terry M.]

Re: Yes story is in Summer Restorer....ntx *TL*

[kenrobb]

Re: 66 power antennae

I would suggest that you try to get some oil down in the shaft if it still on the car. Then run up and down some. Don't go all the way up or all the way down. this puts extra stress on the drive mech. If that doesn't do any good, then it looks like you will ahve to remove the antenna. This is not real easy as it is best to remove muffler ( best to remove the rear valance panel also). then carefully cut off the brown plastic to get to the cover plate. Not sure what the new article says, but there are some older articles showing the insides of the drive mech. Usually the drive cable rusts up and breaks. then the antenna won't go up or down. I would say your motor is ok if it works somewhat. Ken

[Jack H.]

Re: 66 power antennae

Brown plastic sure looks (feels and tastes) like bee's wax to me, Ken....

[Dave - NCRS#24235]

Brown plastic on 66 power antenna originally clear

The plastic on the antenna of my 66 was light amber - and looked like typical aging of (old) clear plastic coatings. I guess that the more miles and years of exhaust and dirt that the plastic is exposed to, the darker it gets. Sort of the same crud that collects on the rear valence panel. Do people with original low mileage cars, or someone with factory notes on the antenna have any information? - Dave