therobski

Hey guys, "Redoldsman" Glen and I were trouble shooting a few electrical gremlins on the 63 Starfire and discovered the power antenna motor works fine but the plastic cable ( mast ) broke off. Any ideas for a replacement cable? Or as alternative I looked at this on amazon but then may have to adapt original

coax cable connection to the new unit. But this buggy is about 90% original and would like to repair the GM antenna..

rocketraider

Shop book outlines the procedure. I've heard of people using weedeater line as a replacement cable.

Oldskeeper

As Oldsdruid (Glenn) Rocketraider said just get the correct weedeater diameter cable and replace the old cable. I've done this to one of my antenna's and it still works fine. While apart replace the hardened up grease with fresh and you should be good to go.
Steve

therobski

Hmm, that sounds like a good.idea, and keeping the original antenna which is still in excellent condition. Thanks!

therobski

Guys, okay got things apart. Next question: how to remove the brittle nylon cable from the antenna mast? It's in there pretty good and tried pulling it apart but I don't want to really apply a lot more muscle to separate the 2 pieces until I know what I'm getting into and then say OPPS!

therobski

Well, tried to separate the mast from the nylon cable to no avail. Next up, I may heat the cable, maybe that will separate it. If that don't work I may buy and aftermarket unit and install. Any ideas will be much appreciated.

Charlie Jones

I don't think there is any way to take this apart , probably swedged together .
The mast assemblies were only serviced in one piece .

Yellowstatue

Try bonding (glue or heat) the weed eater line at the far end and if there is a good bond then replace the section that is damaged.

mrolds69

That's a great looking Olds! I've messed with these before, but like 20 years ago. Most power ants back then were made by Tenna, in the 60's and 70's they were very much alike. The finials differed, the lengths differed, but they were about the same. Even across different make cars like Chrysler. From memory, I thought the line ran to the final solid piece of mast. I thought you could take the finial off and pull it through. I think you can use one off a different car, and change the finial (end). It might not go all the way up, but would look right and work. At some point they changed to like a cogged line. I know I have an NOS GM Olds mast here for a 68/69 442. That's the weird one that doesn't go down all the way. It's NFS right now, unfortunately. There are a lot on ebay, look at used power ants under vintage cars, or look at power masts under cars and access. If used asked the length. You could never glue or melt that cable together so it stays. you might be able to cut the end that attaches to the mast and redo it somehow a little shorter. Here's some thing just to look at...Wait...wasn't jcdynamic (Jimmy) just selling a power ant?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/32476271040...cAAOSwlB1g1DSd

therobski

Redoldsman ( Glen) and I are going to try somethings this afternoon and make history! Stay tuned guys..

redoldsman

The history making event has been postponed until tomorrow. We have a delay trying to find the correct weedeater line for the antenna. I am thinking we may make a brief video of the antenna going up and down. Stay tuned.

Charlie Jones

Here's a little info from the 1972 parts book ;

Antenna mast assy with nylon rod GM part number 382743
Fits ; 63 - 64 all except F-85 or S/W
Also fits 64 - 65 F-85 S/W

My price book says that this mast was also used by Buick .

therobski

Thanks Charlie, I located a guy down towards Austin that has the correct mast cable and will up here in the Dallas area Friday sometime. Ill meet up with him and go from there. Thanks for your help!!

therobski

Well in100 degree plus Texas warmth we got this 58 year old power antenna back about as good as new. Special thanks for some education from friends- redoldsman being 1 of them.

rocketraider

How did you finally get the old plastic cable out?

therobski

Yes sir, snipped if off were it goes into the mast and then VERY gently drilled out the rest of it.

redoldsman

I just held the tools. I had a video of he antenna going up and down but the file was too big to upload.