Diameter of 1977 Antenna ball

[Oliver B.]

When having my 1977 judged last Sep, the dia of the antenna ball was said to be too small. It is 1/4 in.

I do not think (but cannot guarantee on the other hand) that the mast has never been exchanged. (At least it hasn't for the last 17 years - that's how long I have the car now. )

Can it be that there have been different models installed? (I have seen a historic article, where a fresh '77 has been taken out with CB on-board - that one at least had a very different antenna - if I remember correctly the mast was black with a rather large ball installed...)
Or can it be a mistake in the JM?

[Dale S.]

Re: Diameter of 1977 Antenna ball

I miked my 67 ball and it is .251( 1/4) is this correct? Dale

[Kenneth T.]

Re: Diameter of 1977 Antenna ball

I am posting a picture of my '71 original and the service replacement. The size difference is obvious as is the finish, not too shiny almost a pewter color. The ball is closer to 5/16" than a 1/4".

Ken

[Steven B.]

Re: Diameter of 1977 Antenna ball

When having my 1977 judged last Sep, the dia of the antenna ball was said to be too small. It is 1/4 in.

I do not think (but cannot guarantee on the other hand) that the mast has never been exchanged. (At least it hasn't for the last 17 years - that's how long I have the car now. )

Can it be that there have been different models installed? (I have seen a historic article, where a fresh '77 has been taken out with CB on-board - that one at least had a very different antenna - if I remember correctly the mast was black with a rather large ball installed...)
Or can it be a mistake in the JM?

Oliver, CB's were first available from the factory on the '78 MY. I will measure a couple of antennaes. I have an original and an over the counter from Chevy parts in the late 70's.

Steve

[Jack H.]

Re: Diameter of 1977 Antenna ball

A common issue... The '70-72 JG book guides judges to look for service replacement, fixed-length, antenna masts by checking the ball tip. It cites factory originals are larger (0.300" diameter) than current service replacements (0.250" diameter).

That small difference is tough to eyeball, but once you see a real McCoy antenna and are able to look down the line of cars on the judging field from similar model year era, the service replacement antennas JUMP OUT at you...

[Steven B.]

Re: Diameter of 1977 Antenna ball

A common issue... The '70-72 JG book guides judges to look for service replacement, fixed-length, antenna masts by checking the ball tip. It cites factory originals are larger (0.300" diameter) than current service replacements (0.250" diameter).

That small difference is tough to eyeball, but once you see a real McCoy antenna and are able to look down the line of cars on the judging field from similar model year era, the service replacement antennas JUMP OUT at you...

Were all '73-'77 service units different than the factory installed? If not, were there certain years they were different/the same?

Thanks!

Steve

[Jack H.]

Re: Diameter of 1977 Antenna ball

You'd have to ask Joe Lucia for that information... Sometimes service stocked the same part that was used in production and other times that part changed over time in subtle ways with the objective being to minimize service inventory and obtain a common part that was downward compatible regardless of whether or not it was the 'factory original' item.

So, your question is just too broad, even though you've singled out a given part to answer. The JG literature apprises judges on information that's known at the time that specific revision of the JG book was released.

What you're asking is how did an antenna in service stock in, say, 1977, compare to the factory original part and then how might it have differed in '78, '79, '80.... It's a tall order to answer that question!

Plus, you've got the complication of what specifically this/that dealer had in stock/pulled from the shelf on a given day...

[Don G.]

Re: Diameter of 1977 Antenna ball

The 1973-74 judging manual states as follows:

Original masts have a ball .30 inches in diameter, replacements are .25". A 5/16th inch nut will not slide over an original mast but will easily over a replacement ball.

[Dale S.]

Re: Diameter of 1977 Antenna ball

Who sells a .300 ball? Dale

[Kenneth T.]

Re: Diameter of 1977 Antenna ball

Who sells a .300 ball? Dale

Dale,

It is more than just the obvious, "ball size" the shaft size is different and the finish also. In the picture I posted you can see the thickness of the shaft on the larger ball antenna and, its not the shiny chome as the service part. If I posted a picture of the entire shaft you would have a better idea of the original.

I have seen some old Chrysler shafts that came pretty close, except for the base.

[Steven B.]

Re: Diameter of 1977 Antenna ball

You'd have to ask Joe Lucia for that information... Sometimes service stocked the same part that was used in production and other times that part changed over time in subtle ways with the objective being to minimize service inventory and obtain a common part that was downward compatible regardless of whether or not it was the 'factory original' item.

So, your question is just too broad, even though you've singled out a given part to answer. The JG literature apprises judges on information that's known at the time that specific revision of the JG book was released.

What you're asking is how did an antenna in service stock in, say, 1977, compare to the factory original part and then how might it have differed in '78, '79, '80.... It's a tall order to answer that question!

Plus, you've got the complication of what specifically this/that dealer had in stock/pulled from the shelf on a given day...

Thanks Jack! Dealer inventory is a variable often overlooked, at least I do it. Inventory can be on the shelf days or decades, you never know. I got my ant. from a dealer with high turns per year but have also gone through inventory at another dealer that had been on the shelf 28 years!

Steve

[Oliver B.]

Re: Diameter of 1977 Antenna ball

Yeah, I know CB was not made available (at least as RPO) before 1978 - the more I was interested to see the magazine (see attachments - 1976 "Hot Rod Corvette") being handed a factory fresh '77 by GM (Dave McLellan in person) to be tested and "evaluated"... Interesting, huh?

Concerning the ball: I tried to measure it with a ruler... (oh boy, this is pretty much British English, right? Don't you Americans have another word for that? ***switching topics: one of my former girl-friends earned her share of laughter, when she was exchange student in IA on the first day and asked a mate *sic* for a rubber - what we Germans are taught as the RIGHT word for what you call "eraser"! ***) ...and came up with the 1/4" - if I had used a gauge, it just as well might have been 5/16"...
Beacuse it VERY much looks like an original to me, seeing the difference in shine on your pics, Kenneth.

I will give it a try with a 5/16" nut... Good hint!

And good comment about them to be distinguished ever so easily on the Judging Field, Jack - unfortunately there is not a mass of Corvettes to be seen over here in Germany anyway, let alone in their original state...

But thanks for everybody's input - that put me one step ahead!

[Harmon C.]

Re: Diameter of 1977 Antenna ball

Carry the 5/16 nut in your pocket at all times just like a good luck eraser.

[Oliver B.]

Re: Diameter of 1977 Antenna ball

...I just clipped a part from the magazine's "Specifications" - maybe they can be read more easily now...

If not, here are the interesting things written there:
the car was (among other options) equipped with
- "transparent roof panels ($200)" and
- "AM/FM/CB radio (price and availability to be announced after Jan. 1, 1977)"



Oh, btw: it was today, some 17 years ago (1992 - a Friday also), that I bought my car in St.Petersburg, FL - *sigh*! Champagne!!!

[Oliver B.]

Re: Diameter of 1977 Antenna ball

Carry the 5/16 nut in your pocket at all times just like a good luck eraser.

Instead of a Hare's Foot.....?

Well, actually (I must admit) I once triggered the Airport Alarm when going to the gate, because I carried a rubber (YOUR lingo!) wrapped in aluminum with me - forgot it in my jeans... Quite embarrassing!
To my excuse, I was a couple of years younger then........