Mid Year Power Antenna - Is this one correct?

[Larry T.]

This housing is identical in every way, as best I can tell, to the housing I have with the number 5045511 stamped into it. As you can see this housing is stamped 5045536. The date is stamped A 8 - 65, so presumably it was made for a 1966 car. Everything I have been able to find says the 5045511 is correct, but I have not found any references to this number anywhere.

Thanks for the help.

Larry

[Larry T.]

Re: Mid Year Power Antenna - Is this one correct?

Follow up to my question...

Is it possible this is a Corvair part?

I have tried to research it but have not found any really good Corvair info. Evidently a power antenna was an available option for a Corvair Corsa in 1966.

[Greg T.]

Re: Mid Year Power Antenna - Is this one correct?

That is not a Corvette housing, they are 511s. The 536s were used on Corvairs, Impalas, Chevelles and others. They all used different body assemblies. That's the assembly the antenna cable attaches to.

[Larry T.]

Re: Mid Year Power Antenna - Is this one correct?

It looks like it would be functional, but fortunately I picked up another one that is correct I will be using.

In disassembling mine I am having a difficult time removing the steel cable that drives the antenna. You can see in the picture that it is extended all the way out but catches at the very end just before it comes out. Is there a secret to this or do I just need to give it a good pull? Is that a clip that holds it in place? I tried to pull it out, but did not want to over do it.

What is the best way to clean these up after 40+ years? Should I use a blaster with walnut shells or glass media? Or would a chemical stripper work better. Also, what is the coating that is on the outside? I understand this can be done at home.

Thanks,

Larry

That is not a Corvette housing, they are 511s. The 536s were used on Corvairs, Impalas, Chevelles and others. They all used different body assemblies. That's the assembly the antenna cable attaches to.

[Lynn H.]

Re: Mid Year Power Antenna - Is this one correct?

Larry,
I do not know if you have access to any of the older Corvette Restorer magazines (or the CD versions available from the NCRS store), but there are a couple of articles you may find helpful that cover some of your questions as far as disassembly and repair of the 65-66 power antennas. Here are a couple that I know of:
Volume 21 #3 (winter 95) has an article by Robert M. Stroud titled:
"POWER ANTENNA REPAIR"
This article covers the removal of the mast from the cable.
Also:
Volume 22 #1 (summer 95) has an article by Kent Lowry titled:
"MORE ON 1965-66 POWER ANTENNAS
They are very good detailed works on the disassembly and repair of these pieces.
Lynn

[Larry T.]

Re: Mid Year Power Antenna - Is this one correct?

Lynn,

Thanks. I pulled both of those articles and they are very good. My issue is a little different though. My antenna is fully functional, but has a damaged housing. I have repaired it with JB Weld, and it will go back together fine, but I have a very nice replacement housing I would prefer to use. In order to do so I have to disassemble my antenna without damaging any existing components.

Is the cable supposed to go all the way in to the housing to be removed or can it be pulled through the housing and out the top? I fear I will damage the mast trying to remove the tip so I hope to pull it through the top. If not, is there a trick to removing the tip so that it can be rolled all the way into the housing? Thie picture shows where I am right now.

Once again, any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Larry

[Greg T.]

Re: Mid Year Power Antenna - Is this one correct?

From your picture I can see that the antenna has already been restored once. The cable winding is what is jamming up in your drive gear. Try to straighten it or just cut the last 1/4 inch off.

The 536 housing assembly is a functional replacement for the 511. If you want to sell it you can PM me.

Coating the housing can be expensive and tricky to do yourself. The correct coating needs to be around 450 F and you'll need a tank around 9 inches deep to dip it.

You can PM me for additional info.

[Larry T.]

Re: Mid Year Power Antenna - Is this one correct?

Greg,

Thanks for the info. I got the cable out. Here are a few more pics of the 536 housing.

Larry

From your picture I can see that the antenna has already been restored once. The cable winding is what is jamming up in your drive gear. Try to straighten it or just cut the last 1/4 inch off.

The 536 housing assembly is a functional replacement for the 511. If you want to sell it you can PM me.

Coating the housing can be expensive and tricky to do yourself. The correct coating needs to be around 450 F and you'll need a tank around 9 inches deep to dip it.

You can PM me for additional info.

[Lynn H.]

Re: Mid Year Power Antenna - Is this one correct?

Larry,
I do not know if you have access to any of the older Corvette Restorer magazines (or the CD versions available from the NCRS store), but there are a couple of articles you may find helpful that cover some of your questions as far as disassembly and repair of the 65-66 power antennas. Here are a couple that I know of:
Volume 21 #3 (winter 95) has an article by Robert M. Stroud titled:
"POWER ANTENNA REPAIR"
This article covers the removal of the mast from the cable.
Also:
Volume 22 #1 (summer 95) has an article by Kent Lowry titled:
"MORE ON 1965-66 POWER ANTENNAS
They are very good detailed works on the disassembly and repair of these pieces.
Lynn

I just ran across another article in the Vol 27, #1 of the Restorer (entitled "1966 Antenna Repairs" by Dave Wrzesinski), and I thought I would add this to my prior post for anyone who reads this thread and my be thinking of taking on one of these repairs. I have an original 65 antenna, that I have been thinking about attempting to fix myself so all of this information seems to work together.
Lynn