65-66 Power Antenna Repair

[John Hepperle]

I am in need of some recommendations for a place to repair my 66 antenna. The motor works but the mast doesnot work. I believe the cable/chain is broken.

I am looking for a mechanical restoration only as the car is very original.

Any help would be appreciated.

John

[Joe L.]

Re: 65-66 Power Antenna Repair

The best advice that I can give you is to refer to 2 articles in Volume 17, number 3 of the Restorer Magazine(Winter, 1991). These articles, by Ron Dembowski and Ken Robb, will provide you with at least some of the information you seek. There may also have been a more recent article on the same subject, but I was unable to reference it.

[Reba]

Re: 65-66 Power Antenna Repair

Contact OEM Glass. They have an ad in DRIVELINE. They do excellent repair to the antenna, but leave it original.

[John Hepperle]

Re: Thanks

Thanks Joe!

I ordered the body section of the past articles for my year but I could not find what I needed.

Thanks again!

John

[Jack H.]

Re: Thanks

I've seen some EXCELLENT home restorations of these assys. Success varies with what's actually wrong inside. Three problems are the most common.

(1) Drive mechanism is shot (motor, gears, Etc.) and just taking

apart to clean, lube often gets it right again. (2) Drive cable is broken. If the break is NOT way up high, it

can be delicately repaired via epoxy/weld. Some claim they've

actually fixed upper breaks in shaft/cable with adroit use of

epoxy. (3) BYE BYE. This is the syndrome where water has sat for long

periods inside the lower unit and almost everything is trashed.

I'd go with a professional restorer.

Problems stem from over-driving the antenna either up or down. You hold the switch too long and put excess stress on the drive cable (click, click, click) causing it to eventually fracture. Complication is getting inside to work. Body is sealed against moisture, but this is a 'piece of cake'....

You cut away the coating and save it. When you're done, you re-coat it like the pros. A short dip in molten bees wax does the trick. The German cars (Benz, Audi, BMW) use bees wax to seal body seam joints to prevent rust/squeaks. Also, guys who assemble billiard tables use it with a propane torch to wick the joints of individual marble/slate slabs used as the table bed.

[ken robb]

65 antenna

i can send you a copy of the articles if you wish. i can talk with you privately if you wish about specfic problems. OEM will shorten the antenna some to reconnect the antenna to the leads. If you can get it apart you have good chance to fix it yourself. Ken

[John Hepperle]

Re: Home rebuild

Jack and Ken, I am very interested in trying this myself.

I would like a copy of the articles that (Ken)is describing. I would compensate someone for the mail and printing charges. The car has been in heated storage since 1976. I should not be faced with rust/water problems. I believe it is the cable.

Please e-mail me at john.hepperle@rossnutrition.com so I may give my address for mailing info.

Thanks! John