1963 AM radio under the fiberglass support.

[Richard G.]

I have a 1963 with an AM radio.
I had some work completed and they used the assembly manual to figure out my car needed the aluminum ground plate on the underside of the fiberglass.
It was installed and of course is not correct for my car.
I want to pull the aluminum plate from the car but now I have no reference to what was there originally as the assembly manual is no help.
Can anyone shed some light on what should be there?
Thanks
Rick

[Harry S.]

Re: 1963 AM radio under the fiberglass support.

Rich, the 63 AM radio had a steel plate instead of aluminum. The aluminum plate will leave a shadow on the fiberglass. The steel plate will leave a rust stain. Take a measurement of the rust stain to ensure you order the correct smaller size. I have seem on a few parts house with both for sale. There are some other differences back there, just can't remember what they are. See if some can post a picture of the AM configuration.

[Joe M.]

Re: 1963 AM radio under the fiberglass support.

Interesting! Way back when I saw my oct 63, AM radio, had just a small steel plate. Thought it was missing the much larger aluminum plate. Just checked ZIP and they show 63 only and also later, larger aluminum plate.

Now to dig through parts in the attic to find that original!!!!!!

Big hassle changing that plate.

[Harry S.]

Re: 1963 AM radio under the fiberglass support.

Just reread my post, I really hate spell-check.

Anyway, I've looked over the past days and do not see the AM Antenna ground plate anywhere. So if you have one tucked away, save it.

[Richard G.]

Re: 1963 AM radio under the fiberglass support.

Joe;
Thanks for the information as I found the repro-part on the Zip like you mentioned.

https://www.zip-corvette.com/63e-antenna-reinforcement-only.html

It can be accessed (somewhat) when the spare tire tub is removed.
I was going to attempt to change it out with the exhaust in place.

Thanks
Rick63 early antenna.JPG

[Harry S.]

Re: 1963 AM radio under the fiberglass support.

The original PN was 3832329. Lets check the AIM against this part. I have a feeling there was a second part involved.

[Richard G.]

Re: 1963 AM radio under the fiberglass support.

Harry;
Yes you are correct. I looked up what I could find in the assembly manual.
3833351 GROUND PLANE. Listed under the AM/FM section in the assembly manual.
And the 3832329 REINFORCEMENT in the AM section.

3832330 GROUND STRAP is the same for both the AM and FM.
However, the ground strap attach to the upper bracket and to the frame in two different places.
I am unsure why it changed possibly it was easier to attach during production?
The AM attaches to the underside of the frame and the FM goes over the body mount and attaches to the frame in-front of the mount on the side of the frame.
If the strap is attached to the AM location on the antenna it will not be long enough to attach to the FM location on the frame.
I am quite confident the change on top (antenna) was so the same strap could be used to attach to the frame at the new location.
IMG_2247(1).jpgIMG_2246.jpgIMG_2245.jpgIMG_2248(1).jpg


This will be interesting to change out with the exhaust in the way.